RECENT DEVELOPMENTS OF WELDING AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS IN SHIPBUILDING

The introduction of newly developed intelligent and user-friendly robotics has opened a new era in shipbuilding. Together with traditional and low-cost mechanization a record level of welding automation rate has been achieved in the construction of cruise vessels. In the paper modem applications and recent developments of welding automation and robotics in shipbuilding have been described and some forecast for the future trends are given. Development in the field of shipyards will be continued with accelerated speed and we shall have interesting prospects for the near future. New laser techniques can boost the shipyards in a revolutional way when production is rapidly changing, materials will be lighter and quality demands are becoming more strict.