The Challenge: FR San Martino S.r.l., a metal fabrication specialist based in Italy, faced growing demand for customized welding of small and irregular batches. With increasing pressure to deliver faster without compromising on quality or worker safety. The company needed a flexible automation solution that could handle frequent changeovers and maintain consistent welding precision, even in low-volume production environments.
The collaborative solution: To address these needs, the manufacturer adopted two ABB OmniVance™ collaborative AW cells. The cells are equipped with ABB’s best in class GoFa™ cobots which are specifically designed for high-quality collaborative welding and can operate safely alongside workers without the need for physical guarding. The cobots come with a pre-installed SafeMove app on the FlexPendant, which simplifies the safety setup process. This app allows for easy configuration and monitoring of safety zones and parameters.
Fully integrated with ABB’s OmniVance™ collaborative arc-welding cell, the GoFa cobots offer fast, intuitive programming, ideal for high-mix, low-volume production. Equipped with an Easy Teach Device, the welders could quickly create and execute welding sequences, even with minimal robotics experience. The Easy Teach device on the robot arm helps operators to guide robots to desired positions, simplifying setup and ensuring precise weld paths. This reduces downtime and enables rapid adaptation to different part geometries while maintaining high welding quality.
“The GoFa robots have helped us raise the bar in our production process, improving speed, precision, and safety, without compromising on flexibility. We can now meet customer demands faster and more efficiently." Production Manager, FR San Martino S.r.l.
With the integration of ABB’s GoFa collaborative robots, FR San Martino S.r.l. has achieved a new level of operational efficiency and flexibility. The GoFa cobots enable the company to easily handle a wider variety of component shapes and small batch sizes, making them ideal for small batch production. Their precision and repeatability ensure consistently high weld quality while significantly reducing the risk of human error. The collaborative nature of GoFa also enhances operator safety by minimizing exposure to heat and repetitive tasks, allowing robots and workers to operate side by side. Additionally, rapid reconfiguration capabilities support faster production cycles, helping the company respond quickly to customer demands. All of this contributes to a lower cost per part, even for small production runs, making GoFa a strategic asset in achieving sustainable, flexible, and safe automation.
Learn how to achieve faster, safer, and more consistent welding with ABB cobots, discover our welding guideline.
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ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation as one of the world’s leading robotics and machine automation suppliers, is the only company with a comprehensive and integrated portfolio covering robots, Autonomous Mobile Robots and machine automation solutions, designed and orchestrated by our value-creating software. We help companies of all sizes and sectors - from automotive to electronics and logistics – to outperform by becoming more resilient, flexible and efficient. ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation supports customers in the transition towards the connected and collaborative factory of the future, operating leaner and cleaner for a better future. The business area employs approximately 11,000 people at over 100 locations in approximately 53 countries. go.abb/robotics
