At the Automatica exhibition, two Italian companies Comau and Fincantieri presented the result of their cooperation - the mobile robot MR4Weld (Mobile Robot for Welding) for automating labor-intensive welding operations in the open air.

The companies also extended their strategic agreement on the application of technology, digitalization and innovation in the framework of advanced mobile robotic solutions that will increase the speed of production and the well-being of workers by automating traditionally manual processes.

In 2021, Comau and Fincantieri signed an agreement of intent, the purpose of which was to develop prototypes of robotic solutions for welding steel and the subsequent construction of a series of machines. After the successful completion of prototype production tests, the directors of the companies signed an updated agreement that provides for the development of additional mobile robotic machines and solutions for unstructured environments.

The MR4Weld mobile robot will be used in the future at Fincantieri shipyards for autonomous welding of steel structures with a possible 3-fold increase in productivity compared to the manual process. It is a 6-axis industrial with a high load capacity, equipped with a welding torch, which is mounted on a tracked chassis and equipped with an integrated machine vision system for autonomous detection of welding seams. It is reported that the robot guarantees higher welding quality while reducing ergonomic risks, contributing to the transformation of the production process in shipbuilding by providing greater flexibility and increased safety in addition to reducing overall costs.

Designed to move in all conditions and work collaboratively with staff, the MR4Weld system can be easily operated by a single operator during movement and welding. The system also uses digital tools to collect welding and production data, which can be used to register welded joints. Since the MR4Weld system fully complies with current safety standards, it can be used without fences on each of the numerous decks that make up the vessel. Fincantieri and Comau jointly filed a European patent application for specific technological features of MR4Weld. The advanced solution can also be easily integrated into Comau's digital infrastructure, further increasing the productivity and profitability of the robotic system.

As part of the ongoing collaboration, the companies will develop advanced mobile robots to automate other repetitive activities in shipbuilding processes, including those characterized by vertical and nonlinear surfaces, as well as unstructured environments, in addition to testing Comau exoskeletons. Fincantieri will also cooperate with Comau to strengthen and enhance the technical skills of its operators in the use and programming of robotic mobile systems, adapting them to special formats of advanced training of shipbuilding operators that have already been developed by Comau.

Comau will also take another step towards differentiating its core business and expanding into new segments outside of the factory floor. In addition, the companies will begin industrial implementation of their unique MR4Weld robotic solution, which can be applied not only in the shipbuilding industry, but also in industries requiring the production of large steel infrastructures.

"In addition to the opportunity to work with a leader like Fincantieri and explore revolutionary robotic mobile systems for unstructured environments, the expansion of our collaboration reflects Comau's determination to provide advanced, highly flexible solutions for complex production scenarios," explained Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Comau. - We also believe that the significant market potential of the MR4Weld mobile robot goes beyond shipbuilding. Especially considering that, according to internal estimates and market research (IFR World Robotics 2022 – Service Robots), the 5-year growth of the mobile robotics market will be 15% (from 2022 to 2027)."