Waiward Steel Fabricators Ltd, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has selected SmartTCP to automate its structural steel welding process. The robotic welding solution, which is designed for steel fabrication, combines hardware and software into a welding cell that will automate both the robot programming and the weld production of Waiward’s high volume of ‘one off’ and small batch parts. While researching automated welding options Waiward Steel was very specific in its requirements when talking with robotic solution suppliers. The solution needed to deal with the specialized welding demands of structural steel including large multi pass welds on thick beveled material, full penetration, heat distribution and the ability to handle inaccuracy/variances in part fitting and joint gaps. The SmartTCP solution to be implemented in the Waiward facility will include a bridge gantry system 125ft long with two SmartTCP head & tail positioners (30,000lb capacity each) specifically designed for structural steel, one ceiling mounted 6 axis articulated robot, welding equipment and the SmartTCP welding automation software. The welding system will allow the company to produce more parts more quickly without additional employees and in the same amount of production space. The off-the-shelf system is scheduled to be installed in September 2009.