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How do robots perform spot welding on automobile bodies?

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Humanoid robot — robot ASIMO, a two-legged humanoid robot developed by the Honda Motor Co.

In the manufacturing of automobiles, industrial robots perform spot welding by manipulating a specialized welding tool to assemble the vehicle's basic body structure.1

The process functions through the following mechanisms:

Positioning: The robot is programmed to move its arm and wrist—which function similarly to human anatomy—to precisely position a spot welder against the automobile's panels and frames.21
Execution: Once in the correct location, the robot completes the weld to join the components. This task is a common application for robotics because it is repetitive and often hazardous or uncomfortable for human workers.1
Control: The robot follows a stored sequence of instructions, which can be established through lead-through programming—where the robot is physically guided through the motions—or via specialized computer programming languages that dictate specific motion paths and input/output signals.3

By automating this task, manufacturers can maintain high consistency and efficiency in the assembly process.1