AMADA America (Buena Park, CA) announces the opening of its Welding Technology Zone, a 4,500 sq. ft. building-within-a-building at the company’s Schaumburg Solution Center in suburban Chicago dedicated to the wide range of welding solutions from AMADA.
The equipment includes the AMADA FLW laser welding models aimed at fabrication companies, the AMADA Weld Tech equipment aimed at specific market segments and groups, and the smaller welding and laser marking systems, which are used more and more in today’s information-intense world that requires part identification and tracking.
AMADA America executives, trade journalists, and key AMADA America customers were on hand to cut the ribbon. Entering the Welding Technology Zone, you experience an environment devoted to focus; the video screens display calm outdoor scenes, and the natural materials that constitute the structure engender a feeling of a getaway to a natural place.
AMADA staff will keep the Welding Technology Zone stocked with interesting laser welded products. On this day a large grill stood near the entrance, showing off long, straight welds. Other results of AMADA welding are put in a central area. These cover the gamut of medium-sized parts that range from simple to complex, and a screen behind each of them allows you to learn exactly how these parts are made, and what technology was used to make them.
On the east side of the Welding Technology Zone is a comfortable presentation area with a large video screen where fabricators can come to learn about the products and processes that can change their business. Several of the fabricators on hand gave testimony to the success of the products within, saving processes and costs.
The rear wall features the smaller welding and marking machines. These are all under power and it is an easy task to show an example of different marking methodologies and how quickly and easily (and with cool temperature) some of the welding and marking on the small scale happens. A memorable demonstration of small-scale spot welding was shown.
The west side of the zone is dedicated to the higher-powered welding that represents the meat and potatoes for many fabricators. The FLW 1500 MT S + CR is built around a 1.5 kW laser that can be used either in full manual mode or clamped (in a second or two) into the business end of a cobot. Like its other two brethren, the front solid wall of the FLW 1500 MT S + CR enclosure has been replaced with the greenish plastic barrier that protects eyes and ears but allows visitors see-through access so they can catch all the action.
Next in line is the FLW L e, a middleweight contender, weighing in at 3 kW, and offering features such as a rotating lens that circles the beam to bridge large gaps and/or weld highly reflective metals. The cell, only 3600 x 3600 mm, fits most manufacturing areas, and offers a Teaching Assistant System that employs a camera to monitor joint positions and automatically compensate for path deviations.
And finally, the FLW ENSIS e is the largest welding offering. It comes in different models; we saw the M5 model in action. The M5 comes with either 3 kW or 6 kW lasers, and is the only FLW that can move; in this case, it moves 3 meters laterally. The FLW ENSIS e also has all the advantages of the ENSIS technology that has been proven in the market for several years in AMADA’s laser cutting products.
The new Welding Technology Zone is an important milestone in a market with significant growth potential and methods to deliver payback. AMADA’s building-in-a-building is a pioneering home for technology and results.
More information: www.amada.com/america