At Allin Towbars, custom towbar fabrication is one of their core strengths, with welding being a vital part of the manufacturing process. However, welding poses significant challenges, requiring highly skilled operators to manage its hazards and demands. Flinders Factory of the Future has been working with Allin Towbars for a project "Evaluation of Tow Bar Fabrication Processes for Cobot Welding Integration," aimed at exploring how cobot welding systems can enhance their operations.
A thorough review of the existing fabrication processes has been conducted, examining key production parameters such as time efficiency, quality, complexity, environmental impact, batch sizes, materials, welding types, and the feasibility of nesting and jigging.
The project resulted in:
- Evaluation of current manufacturing processes and pinpointed potential areas for enhancement.
- Successfully simulated tow bar manufacturing using a cobot welding system within specialised simulation software.
- Analysed the welding process to determine the most suitable settings for representative tow bars, paving the way for optimised manufacturing.
This project not only aligned with the customer’s commitment to lean manufacturing principles but also showcases their dedication to innovation and continuous improvement with advanced technologies.
