The unit features advanced weld monitoring and recording ensuring that the highest standards of quality and consistency are maintained for its customers.
Engineering director Emma Burgon says: “We have been very successful in winning significant new business from our automotive customers and this has meant that we needed to increase our production capacity for our welded seat frame assemblies.
“The Fanuc twin robot welding cell was the obvious choice as we already have a number of Fanuc machines within our organisation and are familiar with their programming and operation. The twin robot version more than halves the time required for the welding process and this has provided a significant increase in our manufacturing capacity.”
The welding cell is in operation 24 hrs/day during the working week and is currently being used for the bulk manufacture of seat frame backs for a SUV. This particular assembly has 56 welds and uses 25 wires.
As well as the improved quality and consistency of the finished product provided by the twin robot cell, the welding process is much quicker, enabling parts to be produced in 100 sec compared with 225 sec previously.
Furthermore, to ensure throughput speed is maximised, the weld jigs are all designed by William Hughes engineers using latest CAD software and manufactured using CNC milling machines.
This recent investment in the latest manufacturing technology continues the company’s programme of continued growth, that includes the opening, in October 2014, of a new 87,000 sq ft factory at its UK base in Stalbridge, Dorset. The company also continues to invest in the growth of its manufacturing facilities in Bulgaria which is servicing the needs of its European customers.
