Robotic Welding Market (2022-2029)

The growth of this market is driven by the increasing adoption of industry 4.0 principles and the rising adoption of welding robots in the automotive industry. However, the high initial cost of installing welding robots is expected to restrain the growth of this market.

Government initiatives to support digital transformation in Asia-Pacific and the emergence of laser & plasma welding technologies are expected to provide significant growth opportunities for stakeholders in this market. However, the lack of skilled workers for operating welding robots is expected to pose a major challenge to the growth of this market.

The COVID-19 outbreak caused a widespread economic downturn as several countries imposed strict lockdowns to contain the infection, resulting in the closure of manufacturing facilities and disruptions in supply chains and production schedules. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on technology and component supply chains globally. Furthermore, restrictions placed on transport led to the shortage of raw materials required for the production of advanced welding equipment

The top players in the welding robotics market are headquartered in Japan. These players witnessed a major decline in their revenue in 2019. For instance, in March 2020, FANUC (Japan) announced that its ROBOT division revenue was down 6.9% in 2019 compared to 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global supply chain and reduced the installation of industrial robots in various key industries, such as automotive, electrical, electronics, and metals & machinery.

The pandemic adversely affected the industrial sector due to the reduced demand for high-cost products. During the nationwide lockdowns, consumers limited their spending on only the most essential goods & services, reducing the demand for consumer goods, high-cost electronics, textiles, automobiles, and machinery, which impacted the major application sectors of the robotic welding market. With countries resuming trade and economic activity and stability in consumer lifestyles, the spending on these products and services is expected to increase, boosting the demand for automation solutions over the coming years. The market is expected to recover in 2022 due to restrictions on the number of personnel allowed at manufacturing facilities.

A laser welding robot uses a laser beam, which is developed using carbon dioxide and targeted with the help of optics at workpieces to weld different parts together. Laser welding technology offers numerous advantages in the production of medium- and large-batch sizes of output products at a low unit cost. It offers high welding speed, reduces rework, provides high reliability, ensures increased weld quality, and offers high precision. This technology allows narrow welds that require minimal changes to the welded items.

Laser welding technology is used in remote welding locations that are hard to reach. It can also be used in high-volume applications that require increased accuracy in the automotive & transportation, electrical and electronics, and aerospace & defense industries.

Similarly, plasma welding technology offers numerous advantages, including high power density, clean and smooth welds, high welding speed, low distortion, and improved gap bridging. The welds produced through plasma welding are durable and less noticeable. The numerous advantages offered by plasma welding technology drive its adoption in the automotive & transportation and electrical & electronics industries.