Meet WeldingDroid at Rapid’s Piping Day

It’s difficult to get a proper feel for welding automation when you’ve only heard someone talk about it.

That’s why we’re excited to put the technology in front of you and let you see it for yourself.

And you haven’t got long to wait. This September, we’re bringing together some of the biggest names in pipe welding, cutting, preparation and purging for two days of live demonstrations.

Joining us is WeldingDroid, who’ve got some impressive TIG technology to show off, including their Mobile Boom with Hotwire.

It’s shaping up to be a great couple of days, and with our Piping Day just around the corner, we thought we’d give you a closer look at what WeldingDroid will be demonstrating.

What Can I Expect on the Day?

The WeldingDroid Mobile Boom will be running live during the event, set up for automated TIG welding with a Hotwire feeder, high-definition welding camera, PurgeMaster for internal purging, and a Miller Dynasty power source.

The idea is relatively straightforward: take some of the repetitive movement out of pipe welding while keeping the control and precision you expect from TIG.

The Mobile Boom handles torch movement and the welding sequence, with features like automatic voltage control and torch oscillation, while the operator stays in control of the process.

What’s interesting about this particular setup is the Hotwire TIG system.

Rather than feeding cold filler wire into the weld pool, Hotwire preheats the filler before it reaches the arc. This allows more filler to be deposited without simply putting more heat into the joint, helping to increase welding speed while keeping heat input under control.

And that’s where you start to see the benefit for pipe welding.

As anyone who spends their days welding pipe knows, TIG gives you the control and finish you want, but it can be a slow process.

The Mobile Boom and Hotwire combination is designed to reduce repetition, helping you get more done while maintaining consistent results.

If you join us for our Piping Day, you’ll be able to watch the system weld, see the Hotwire process in action and get a proper look at how the automated process works.

Keeping an eye on the weld

The Mobile Boom will also be fitted with a high-definition welding camera, giving the operator a clear view of the arc while the machine is welding.

That’s an important part of an automated setup. You’re not just pressing start and wandering off for a cup of tea.

The operator can see what’s happening at the weld, monitor the arc and keep an eye on the puddle as the process runs.

That matters, because while automation might handle the movement, understanding what’s happening in the weld is still a big part of getting the result you want.

The technology is there to support the process. Done properly, automation can give an experienced operator another set of tools to work with, particularly useful when the job involves a lot of repetitive welding.

A Closer Look at Purging

The other part of the setup we’re keen to demonstrate is WeldingDroid’s PurgeMaster.

With stainless pipe, you can spend a lot of time getting the joint prepared, everything lined up and the weld looking spot on, only to create problems on the inside because the purge wasn’t right.

The PurgeMaster uses magnets to follow the welding torch around the pipe, delivering shielding gas where it’s needed as the weld progresses.

At our Piping Day, you’ll see the PurgeMaster working as part of the complete setup, alongside the Mobile Boom, Hotwire feeder and Miller Dynasty power source.

A first look at the WeldingDroid Smart Feeder

There’s another reason to make a point of finding WeldingDroid at Pipe Day.

We’ll also be giving visitors a preview of the new WeldingDroid Smart Feeder, ahead of its official launch at the end of September.

The Smart Feeder is designed to revolutionalise manual welding speed, introducing hot wire to the weld pool using Hotwire technology.

This is particularly interesting if you’re not looking to automate the whole job. You might simply want to speed up a manual TIG process while keeping the control and feel you already have.

That’s the bit we’re looking forward to exploring with you on the day: where does new technology fit within manual applications, and what difference can it actually make to the way you work?

Come along, and you’ll be able to get a look at the Smart Feeder before its official launch and see what you think.

Why are we bringing all this together?

As a welding equipment supplier, we think our customers should have access to the latest equipment and technology, but just as importantly, it needs to come from brands we trust.

That doesn’t mean every new piece of equipment is going to be right for every workshop.

Sometimes you see something and immediately think, “Where has this been all my life?”

Other times you look at it and think, “That’s clever, but it’s not for us.”

Both are useful conclusions.

That’s why we’ve made Pipe Day hands-on. We’d much rather you come along, watch the machines run, talk welding with the people behind the products and decide for yourself where the technology may, or may not, fit in.

And WeldingDroid is only one part of it.

Over the two days, we’ll look at the whole pipe welding journey, from cutting and preparation through tacking, purging, and welding, right through to cleaning.

Come and see it for yourself

Rapid Welding & Industrial Supplies is hosting Pipe Days on Thursday 17th September, 12pm–7pm, and on Friday 18th September, 7am–12pm.

Bring your questions. Bring the awkward job you’ve been trying to find a better way of doing. We’ll let the equipment do the talking.