Navigating Operational Challenges
Lepol Metal encountered significant operational challenges in their pursuit of achieving higher welding speed and consistency without compromising quality. Operating within a limited physical footprint and facing constraints on expanding their workforce, Lepol needed an innovative solution to enhance their mechanical service capabilities, particularly in pipe welding.
Investment in Novarc's Spool Welding Robot
After evaluating various options, Lepol Metal chose Novarc’s Spool Welding Robot (SWR) for its compact design, ability to boost welding efficiency, and consistent delivery of high-quality welds. The SWR’s seamless integration into Lepol’s existing operations marked a transformative step towards heightened productivity and efficiency.
Quantifiable Outcomes
The integration of Novarc’s SWR has yielded a significant increase in daily welding output, substantial financial savings, and high-quality, consistent welds. It has also mitigated skilled labor shortages and enhanced operational capacity.
Increased Productivity
Before implementing the SWR, Lepol averaged between 50-60 weld inches per day. Post-implementation, they now achieve between 250-300 weld inches per day on average. “On a particularly productive day, we’ve reached up to 351 weld inches,” says Luke, Owner of Lepol Metal. This represents a 400-500% increase in daily welding output, allowing the company to complete projects in a fraction of the time previously required.
Addressing Skilled Labor Shortages
The user-friendly interface of the SWR has mitigated the impact of skilled labor shortages. Lepol employed an 18-year-old operator with no prior welding experience, who quickly mastered the SWR. This innovative approach has reduced dependency on highly skilled welders, with the SWR operator performing at levels previously unattainable by manual welding.
Enhanced Operational Capacity
The SWR has enabled Lepol to handle a higher volume of work without increasing their workforce. Approximately 75% of Lepol’s pipe welding is now completed using the SWR, significantly enhancing their operational capacity. This has allowed Lepol to undertake larger projects and complete them faster, directly contributing to increased business opportunities and revenue.
This case study exemplifies how Lepol has leveraged cutting-edge technology to set new industry standards, reinforcing their commitment to delivering high-quality, customized solutions. The successful integration of the SWR has established a new benchmark for efficiency and quality in the mechanical services industry, positioning Lepol Metal as a leader in innovation and excellence.
About Novarc Technologies
Novarc Technologies is a Canadian-based robotics company specializing in the design and commercialization of collaborative robots for industrial applications. Novarc’s Spool Welding Robot (SWR) is the world’s first of its kind in pipe welding application. Novarc’s SWR has built a reputation for its unique form factor and advanced features for pipe welding not unlike a human’s precision and dexterity, with an operator-friendly user interface, adaptive control systems for accurate torch control, and machine learning algorithms to detect features.
As a proven pioneer in the field, Novarc has a dedicated team of engineers and scientists eager to solve challenging industrial automation problems that improve customers’ bottom line. The welding industry is looking to adopt these technologies in order to solve the shortage of qualified welders, accommodate the millennials workforce, and solve the cleantech challenges of this century.
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