Lincoln Electric today announced the launch of XpertLINC™, a proprietary physical AI platform for robotic welding. This physical AI platform combines vision, coordinated motion, process control, and decades of welding expertise in one package.
XpertLINC dynamically adjusts a robot’s path and welding parameters. It adapts on the fly, just like a human would. As a result, manufacturers gain higher productivity and better quality, even with inconsistent parts. Moreover, the platform adheres to customers’ process specifications.
The XpertLINC platform will first launch on Cooper® welding cobots. Over time, it will expand across Lincoln Electric’s broad range of automated cutting and welding solutions.
“XpertLINC redefines what is state-of-the-art in the fabrication industry and what manufacturers should now expect from robotic welding systems,” said Kevin Whaley, Executive Vice President, President, Global Automation at Lincoln Electric. “XpertLINC solves customers’ toughest fabrication challenges including labor availability, productivity and quality with a purpose-built industrial AI-driven platform that not only automates welding intelligence, but also integrates safety, reliability and data segregation into its architecture. Lincoln Electric, as The Welding Experts® and a leading automation provider, is uniquely positioned to combine welding expertise, automation controls, and intelligent software into a unified physical AI platform solution to optimize customers’ manufacturing performance,” Whaley concluded.
XpertLINC Reduces Barriers to Adoption of Robotic Solutions
Traditional physical AI platform robotic solutions face challenges with programming, part fit-up, and joint geometry. These issues often lead to high downtime, excessive scrap, limited flexibility, and long changeovers. XpertLINC addresses these challenges by integrating sensors, physical AI-assisted decision tools, coordinated motion, and Lincoln Electric’s extensive fabrication process expertise. Consequently, it controls the robot without the need for programming.
The process starts with the operator showing the cobot the start and end points. Next, XpertLINC scans the part to capture actual joint geometry. It also assesses fit-up conditions. Then, XpertLINC draws on Lincoln Electric’s vast welding experience and any customer-defined Weld Procedure Specifications (WPS). Based on these inputs, it sets the coordinated motion and welding process parameters to make the part.
Additionally, XpertLINC physical AI platform dynamically adapts to real-world conditions such as part variability. Operators need neither the time nor the programming expertise usually required to make a good weld. Furthermore, XpertLINC can flag out-of-specification parts for review and corrective action.
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News Source: Businesswire.com
