Collaborative Robot Welding: What Can a Cobot Really Do?

For years, the barrier to entry for robot welding has been fairly steep. High volumes, complex programming, and large, fenced-off systems made sense for big operations, but not always for smaller manufacturers. That’s changing fast.

Collaborative robots, or cobots, are now bringing robot welding to the shop floor in a much more approachable, flexible way. And with Yaskawa’s Weld4ME system, built around the trusted HC Series of cobots (HC10, HC20, HC30). The setup is simpler, the footprint is smaller, and the learning curve is far shorter.

Is a Cobot Just a Weaker Robot?

That’s a common assumption, and not a fair one. Yaskawa’s HC Series cobots are fully capable six-axis arms, designed with the strength and precision needed for TIG and MIG welding. The key difference is how they’re deployed.

A standard industrial robot is fast, powerful, and usually caged off from human workers. A cobot like the HC10 or HC20, by contrast, is designed to work safely alongside humans, no fencing required. 

It moves at a more measured pace and includes force-limiting sensors to stop instantly if it contacts a person. That means you can drop it into existing workflows without a complete workspace redesign.

When paired with Weld4ME, it becomes even more intuitive. Operators can physically guide the robot through a weld path, set parameters using the Smart Pendant, and repeat the task with consistent results, all without coding. It’s a practical solution for companies who want automation but don’t have time to become robotics experts.

Where Cobots Shine in Robot Welding

Cobots are best suited to high-mix, low-volume environments, where manual welding is often the default. These include:

• Small metal workshops producing custom parts or prototypes

• Fabrication teams handling variable components in short runs

• OEMs or Tier 2 suppliers looking to relieve pressure on skilled welders

• Education and training settings wanting a safe, teachable welding platform

Instead of removing the welder, cobots assist the welder, handling repetitive or awkward welds so the human operator can focus on the higher-value work.

Real Benefits We’ve Seen First-Hand

Deploying Weld4ME with an HC Series cobot gives you more than a modern-looking cell. You get:

• Faster setup – Most teams can get the system up and running in under a day

• Shorter changeovers – Teaching new welds takes minutes, not hours

• Reduced strain – Cobots take on the repetitive stuff, reducing fatigue

• Safer environments – No need for fencing, and fully CE-compliant

• Reliable consistency – Weld paths are repeatable and easily adjusted

We’ve seen small engineering firms go from sceptical to fully sold on robot welding after a single demo.

Conclusion: Start Small, Think Big

Collaborative robot welding isn’t just a stepping stone. It's a full solution in the right context. If you’ve been avoiding automation because of cost, space, or complexity, Yaskawa’s Weld4ME system with HC cobots offers a credible, scalable way to bring robot welding into your business. It’s not about replacing your welders. It’s about giving them a better tool.

To learn more about Collaborative robot welding and how it can improve your welding processes, contact Yaskawa today.