Automate 2024: Productive Robotics features new Blaze robotic laser welding system

Productive Robotics, a California-based designer and manufacturer of industrial collaborative robots, robotic welding systems and accessories for a wide range of applications, showcased its 7-axis collaborative robots and introduce new technology at Automate 2024 in Chicago.

After a recent jobs report found that 2024 will represent the toughest labor market yet, citing a lack of skilled workers, retiring boomer-generation employees and a population decline, Productive sought to demonstrate its offerings will help offset these concerns.

Productive Robotics at Automate

The OEM debuted and demonstrated its deburr add-on package for CNC applications and its Blaze robotic laser welding system, the latest addition to the company’s line of robotic welders. Visitors were able to see OB7 tend a CNC mill and deburr parts. A regrip station holds the part while OB7 repositions it to complete the process on all edges.

OB7, OB7 Stretch model, MAX 8 and MAX 12 can perform a range of activities from gluing, material handling, packing, and palletizing to part marking for industries that include medical devices, food and beverage, miscellaneous metals and machinery.

Productive Robotics also exhibited its new Blaze robotic laser welder which can perform four times faster than TIG welding. Equipped with a LightWELD laser, Blaze can fuse dissimilar metals of different thicknesses and create aesthetic high-strength joints with minimal or no wire consumption. Low heat input combined with an unlimited library of weld recipes boosts productivity and repeatability and improves weld quality. In addition to its robotic laser welder, the OEM also featured Blaze Max Mobile.

Designed and produced in the U.S., Productive Robotics cobots and robotic welding systems have been engineered with the company’s proprietary, “no programming” user interface. Instead, operators simply show OB7 or Blaze each step of a job, a process that takes minutes to complete, according to the company. In addition to eliminating the need for programming, fabricators and job shops don’t need an integrator to install the plug-and-play machines. As part of its Automate booth, visitors could test drive the OB7 by teaching it a task.

According to Productive Robotics, the plug-and-play machines are engineered to work with new or legacy equipment and have the flexibility to perform both simple and complex activities. The OEM has also developed the broadest line of "plug-and-weld" robotic welding systems available. Productive Robotics’ cloud analytics system streamlines connectivity requirements for nimble data collection and reporting.