SE-695 82 Laxå Sweden, Tel [phone], Fax [phone]

Welding Equipment

A316E

Wire feed system

The A316E wire feed system is a new wire
feeder for ABB IRB1600 robots, based on a
wellproven basic concept. The main feature of
this wire feed system is the very wide speed
range, from 0.5 – 30 m/min.
The very low speed capability gives maximum
control during weld starts and excellent arc
characteristics when welding at low wire feed
speeds as well as high performance, high speed
welding all the way up to 30 m/min. This is
thanks to the advanced electronic precision
control system.

The MIG/MAG process

Several different MIG/MAG process modes
are used in a robot welding system i.e. short
arc, spray arc, pulsed arc and rapid
processing. The key requirement for a
stable arc, irrespective of process mode, is
a constant and reliable wire feed.

The performance of any power source and
robot system can be ruined if the wire feed
is unstable. The A316E wire feed system
satisfies these requirements giving you
reliable, high performance welding.

SE-695 82 Laxå Sweden, Tel [phone], Fax [phone]

Welding Equipment

A316E

Integrated with the robot

The wire feeder is mounted on the upper arm of
the robot, which gives only a short distance
between the wire feeder and the welding gun, a
necessitiy for stable wire feeding. Weld starts are
particularly sensitive to long feed lengths due to
the flexibility of the wire in the liner. The signal
cables to the feeder are integrated into the robot,
simplifying the cable management to achieve
maximum movement of the robot in any station
configuration.

Safe and user-friendly design

The wire feed unit, together with the sensors,
valves, relays etc. is enclosed in a protective
case to minimise contamination of the feeder,
wire and electrics from damaging abrasive dust
and also to protect the user from exposed parts
of the welding circuit. Push buttons mounted on
the front of the case provide easy access for
manual operations such as wire feed and safety
reset. The status of water flow, gas flow and
collision sensor are shown on the robot teach
pendant, making it quick and easy to trace the
source of errors. The wire feed unit is equipped
with four driven feed rolls powered by a strong
electrical encoder driven motor with tacho
supervision to ensure accurate and reliable wire
feeding. The control system is based on
computerised switching technology to give rapid
acceleration and deceleration of the wire feed, an
important factor during arc starts and stops.

Programming

The programming of the complete robot welding
station is performed from the FlexPendant. This
includes all the welding parameters such as
voltage, wire feed speed and crater fill data. The
wire feeder is only one component in ABB´s
comprehensive range of equipment. Together
these components ensure high quality robotic
welding.

www.abb.com/robotics

Wire diameters (standard) 1.0 and 1.2 mm

Wire feed speed range 0.5 – 30 m/min

Technical data

Rollers for other diameters and for different
types of wire are available as options.