This is what the new era of orbital welding looks like for JEG. The Orbimat 180SW developed and manufactured by Orbitalum and using Industry 4.0 technology.
JEG currently have a large number of orbital welding machines on their plant inventory. 98% of these are from the same manufacturer and are still in use on a daily basis producing good welds. Technology however is moving on and we felt that there were improvements and efficiencies that we could see in Orbitalum equipment that warranted us changing to this brand.
This intelligent power supply is the first to allow digital networking of man and machine through use of Internet of Things/Industry 4.0 technology.
Industry 4.0 or the ‘4th Industrial Revolution’ is expected to accelerate over the next two to three years, transforming manufacturing processes on the way, so JEG are ensuring their technology is kept up to date here. JEG started the process by sitting with the manufacturer and outlining what functionality we wanted to get out of the new equipment.
Orbitalum then took our wishlist and started to turn this into reality.
Not only are we getting state of the art equipment with new features developed by Orbitalum, but we are also getting bespoke features that will enable us to automate our weld logging activity directly into our QA (ISO Serv) database, both making life easier for the operators and increasing the efficiency of the system.
Software experts from both companies have been working together for the last six months to simplify the method for inputting data by using a handheld scanner connected directly to the machine.
The operator will now simply scan various QR codes and use drop down menus on the machine itself to enter all required information for his weld logs.
Benefits:-
The hardware also has improvements that will make it easier to use.
Orbitalum weld heads for example have remote activation buttons built into the handle, so instead of having a separate remote pennant with its own extension cable to move around, the operator only needs to bring the weld head to the workface and still has complete functionality from that point.
Improved gas management within the equipment helps to shorten weld cycle times by using a high volume pre-purge removing oxygen more quickly to allow welding commence sooner.
Just this week we have taken delivery of our first five machines and these will be used in the workshop in Little Island, Cork, to allow us to assess performance and usability before bringing these to site.
These are the first machines of their kind in Ireland!
Orbitalum are providing training in Cork this week for the personnel who will operate the new equipment.
We’ll keep you posted on progress over the next weeks and months…watch this space.
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