Robotized steel welding Welding robots to take over hard work in shipyards

Italy — Fincantieri and Comau signed a letter of intent to develop prototypes of robotized steel welding solutions and the resulting construction of a series of machines. The prototypes are planned to be initially used in Fincantieri shipyards.

The Italian companies Fincantieri and Comau plan to manufacture a new and advanced welding robot vehicle for shipyards. To this end, Comau CEO, Paolo Carmassi, and Fincantieri General Manager, Fabio Gallia, signed a letter of intent.

The first joint project, of which the operating agreement is currently underway and related tests are scheduled at the Fincantieri shipyards by the first half of the year 2022, will involve a welding robot vehicle consisting of an anthropomorphic welding robot and a remote control tracked vehicle.

Fincantieri and Comau will be co-owners of the know-how and intellectual property generated while developing the new concept design. At a later stage, they will explore the possibility of marketing this kind of welding product not only in the shipbuilding industry, but also in relevant business segments, such as the production of large size steel products for infrastructure and special works (e.g. continuous structures for suspension bridges, structures for large size hoisting systems, products for special constructions).

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Moreover, the companies agreed to continue considering and examining new opportunities to create highly innovative solutions and contents within the broader scope of a Digital Factory.

Fincantieri General Manager, Fabio Gallia,said: “This partnership is an important innovation for the shipbuilding industry. Apart from improving the safety of workers and their ergonomic working conditions, these solutions will enable great progress in pursuing the competitiveness of our production system. Moreover, looking to the future, the possibility of developing projects together with Comau is a great opportunity to further broaden the Group’s range of competencies”.

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