Panasonic's PerformArc Tripled Welding Productivity and Achieved a Two-year Payback...

by Rich Shive
Panasonic Factory Solutions Company

Situation:

Ames Company (Woodland California), a customer of Airgas-NCN, manufactures mild-steel and Type 304 stainless steel fluid-control systems and water valves for municipal and water works systems. Cameron Sheets, plant manager, said they needed to upgrade an old robotic-welding system, but also wanted support to accompany the purchase.

Solution:

Airgas' salesman Wayne Clark recommended Panasonic's pre-engineered PerformArc cell for help and said, "Its six-axis capability and rapid-traversing ability would greatly improve the Ames welding operation and economics."

Installation time was very minimal.  The cell was placed on the floor, utilities and power were connected and it was ready to go the next day. 

Results:

• Panasonic was able to meet Ames' specification of a support system through its local distributor, Airgas.  
• Panasonic runs a training center in Franklin Park, Ill, offering two training programs: Basic and Advanced.  According to Dan Braafladt, area manager for Airgas, 'At the end of four days each person was operating the cell with no problem.
• The cells tripled welding productivity and achieved a two-year payback.