OREANDA-NEWS. Petrozavodskmash Inc. has launched the Pema robotized welding centre (Finland) for automatic flux welding. The equipment was purchased within the scope of the complex investment program of modernization of Petrozavodskmash performed under the management of AEM-Technologies engineering company.

The technology of the robotized flux welding is developed by experts of Pema for Petrozavodskmash exclusively. The welding centre is installed in the unit producing steam and gas generators and intended for welding branch pipes of various diameters of complex ellipsoid configuration. This is the first time in nuclear branch when robotized automatic flux welding is applied on such a complex trajectory. Thickness of the article to be manufactured is almost unlimited at that. The new technology allows 4-fold reducing of expenditure of welding materials at welding the branch pipe of DU-1200 type - to about 200 kg when the welding is performed by the robot against 800 kg at usual welding.

One of the unique features of Pema robot is that it works in immediate proximity to a person. It became possible thanks to the technology based on measurement of electric current in every joint of extremities of the welding center. Encountering any obstacle with force of 150N (about 15 kg), the robot instantly stops whereas any other would keep on working.

The robot is programmed through the graphic interface displayed on the monitor. It reduces time necessary for installation and tuning of the robot essentially. Today application of the welding centre allows to optimize the process of welding the branch pipe of DU-1200 type to the steam generator case considerably. Further all branch pipes will be welded to central shells of steam generator cases at Petrozavodskmash by means of robotized welding.