So, You’re Thinking About a Cobot? Now What?

Manufacturers today struggle with two constant challenges: increasing productivity and finding qualified welders. As technology advances, collaborative robots (cobots) have become a popular solution. A cobot can dramatically improve both output and weld quality, but only if the platform and fixtures underneath it is properly designed. Fit-up, positioning, and part presentation are just as critical as the robot itself.

Most cobots are sold with either a small 36 × 48″ fixture plate or no work surface at all. While this simplifies packaging, it rarely lets the customer use the full capability of the arm. Typical cobot reaches range from 51–70″ (1,300–1,775 mm). Even allowing for the robot base and safety zones, the usable work envelope is often three to eight times larger than the 1,728 in² offered by a standard plate.

That’s why BTH Sales recommend sizing the table to the robot’s reach. A Siegmund welding table measuring 4 × 8 ft (1.2 × 2.4 m) or 5 × 10 ft (1.5 × 3.0 m) gives you room to fixture multiple parts or run a true two-station setup. While the cobot welds on one side, an operator can load or unload the other, keeping arc-on time high and ROI timelines short.

Equally important is repeatable part positioning. Once a weld program is dialed in, no one wants to touch it up every time a new part is loaded. A precision Siegmund table with its modular hole system acts as a permanent datum. Hard fixtures combined with standard tooling let you locate parts in exactly the same place every cycle, so the robot spends its time welding instead of waiting for re-teaching or dealing with rejected parts.

BTH Sales carries the largest inventory of Siegmund welding tables and tooling in Canada. Most orders ship in 1–2 days with no fluctuating exchange rates, no tariffs, and no brokerage fees. We also help customers with table selection and basic fixture concepts, so the cell is productive from day one.

If you’re evaluating a cobot, start with the work surface. The right table turns a good robot into a high-output welding cell. Have questions or want an in-depth discussion on how BTH Sales can help you maximize your investment? Contact us today and we’ll be happy to assist. 

For more information you can download our Cobot table selection PDF.