FABTECH 2025: Universal Robots to showcase cobot laser welding, finishing and plasma cutting

Collaborative robotics (cobots) provider Universal Robots (UR) said it is set to elevate fabrication automation at FABTECH 2025 with a range of new cobot offerings.  

FABTECH 2025 is September 8-11 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

New UR robot to debut at FABTECH

Jean-Pierre “JP” Hathout, UR President and new president of Teradyne’s Robotics Group said UR will preview a brand-new robot at FABTECH, engineered specifically to meet the toughest challenges in welding with outstanding reach, stability and precision.

"Cobot welding continues to evolve at a rapid speed,” Hathout said. “Eight years ago, we introduced North America’s first cobot welder at FABTECH 2017, performing straight MIG-welds. Today, new robot control features combined with the innovation of our partner ecosystem continue to push the envelope, handling applications that few believed possible just a handful of years back. This event is the perfect platform to experience how UR robots are transforming the entire fabrication workflow."

The UR president also highlighted new plasma cutting and laser welding applications coming to FABTECH, showcasing the most recent rugged and complex fabrication tasks that Universal Robots now handle.

“Designed to excel under pressure - whether on long seams, complex parts, or repetitive passes - this new model will showcase how UR robots are not just keeping pace with industry demands but setting the benchmark for what’s possible,” Hathout said.

He explained that the new UR cobot will make its global debut in both UR’s own FABTECH booth, and in the booths of partners Hirebotics, THG Automation and Vectis Automation.

Automated plasma cutting delivers weld-ready parts

Automated plasma cutting is one of the fastest-growing applications for cobots, thanks to its substantial impact on welding efficiency, according to UR. Traditional hand-cutting often results in inconsistencies, making welding more challenging, whereas robotic cutting delivers parts that are ready for seamless robotic welding.

At Hirebotics’ FABTECH booth, the company will showcase how its Cobot Cutter provides fast, precise cuts on steel, stainless and aluminum, eliminating manual rework with its UR integration. Hirebotics will also introduce multipass welding, through-the-arc seam tracking, and AI-powered weld setting recommendations. 

At the Vectis Automation FABTECH booth, the company will showcase its Vectis Shape Tool, which allows complex shapes to be cut - aligned or projected onto curved surfaces - opening up new possibilities in fabrication. Vectis’ Clarity Data Insight Dashboard captures valuable production metrics for optimized program efficiency, while enhanced software delivers advanced weave patterns and AI-driven path optimization, helping users master even intricate wrap and transition jobs.

Both plasma cutting offerings will also be highlighted in Hypertherm’s FABTECH booth.

Cobot laser welding goes mainstream

UR said laser welding with cobots is now entering mainstream adoption, overcoming initial concerns about safety, complexity, and costs through advances in control software, turnkey safety engineering, and fiber laser affordability.

THG Automation will showcase how its URW-2LF Collaborative Laser Welding System uses a UR robot and an IPG fiber laser to offer cleaner, faster welds with minimal heat distortion at its booth. The demo will also showcase laser-based pre-cleaning and discoloration removal for superior aesthetics and workflow simplification. 

Versatile grinding, finishing and handling

At UR’s booth, finishing and grinding offerings will also be on display.

PushCorp pairs a UR30 robot with the STC2002 servo spindle and AFD120 active force device, enabling automated, uniform surface finishing that adapts to part irregularities. 

Ferrobotics will demonstrate its cobot active force control (ACK-F), designed for robots with payloads of 8 kg and above. The demonstration cell operates flexibly with UR robots, enabling users to attach and program up to 15 different finishing tools on site. By combining Ferrobotics’ real force control technology with the operation of Universal Robots, UR said the offering provides the ideal entry point for first-time users while also supporting customers who want to scale their finishing operations.

Material handling is equally essential in fabrication, from machine tending to automated picking, stacking and palletizing.