Industrial Welding Robots Market Size 2024-2028

The industrial welding robots market size is forecast to increase by USD 3.10 billion, at a CAGR of 6.78% between 2023 and 2028. The market experiences growth driven by critical factors shaping industrial automation. With the increasing popularity of industrial robots, particularly in the APAC region, there's a heightened demand for automated solutions to improve efficiency and productivity. Additionally, the growing need for automated welding processes further accelerates market expansion as manufacturers seek to streamline operations and reduce labor costs. Moreover, stringent regulatory frameworks mandating workforce safety propel the adoption of welding robots, ensuring compliance and enhancing workplace safety standards globally. This dynamic market landscape underscores the pivotal role of industrial welding robots in driving efficiency and safety in manufacturing operations worldwide. Our market growth analysis report examines historic data from 2018 - 2022, besides analyzing the current and forecasts market scenario.

Market Forecasting and Size

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Market Dynamics and Customer Landscape

The market leverages IoT, cyber-physical systems, and cloud robotics to revolutionize modern manufacturing in sectors like automotive, transportation, metals, and machinery. With data-driven decision-making and real-time analytics, welding robot manufacturers provide advanced robotics solutions for welding applications, ensuring efficiency, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Despite economic downturns and strict lockdowns impacting manufacturing facilities and supply chains, stakeholders adapt to overcome challenges in technology and component supply chains, transport restrictions, and raw material shortages, driving the adoption of industrial robots for streamlined production schedules. 

Key Market Driver

The growing popularity of industrial robots in APAC is the key driver for the growth of the market. The rapid adoption of industrial robots in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region stands out as the primary catalyst propelling the market growth. APAC emerges as a burgeoning market for the industrial robotics domain, fueled by robust economic growth and the rapid expansion of industrialization and manufacturing sectors within the region. Industrial robots, equipped with advanced capabilities, are revolutionizing various functions such as welding, cutting, and assembly, effectively replacing traditional skilled labor.

Further, countries like China, South Korea, and Japan stand at the forefront of this trend, with significant demand stemming from key industries such as automotive, electronics, and metals. The precision and efficiency offered by industrial robots, particularly in welding applications, address the evolving needs of these industries. Moreover, the escalating labor costs resulting from demographic shifts and heightened investments in manufacturing sectors drive industrial operators to optimize operational expenses (OPEX) for global competitiveness.

Significant Market Trends

The emergence of collaborative arc welding robots is the key trend in the market. These robots are made to work with humans and use specialized sensors and robot controllers for operation. These robots are built by using advanced smart sensors such as torque sensors and built-in safety sensors to enhance coordination and sense the environment. Factors such as advanced coordination and low cost for manufacturing increased their popularity among the industry players. Moreover, companies such as Ford and Volkswagen have shown great interest in cobots and adopted these solutions.

Moreover, automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers are forming collaborations with institutions and other companies that offer advanced solutions to develop advanced cobots with adaptive control. Industrial robots are mainly used in welding work across manufacturing facilities. However, they lack the capability of working safely with the workforce. Companies are focused on developing these due to their increasing demand. For example, in August 2022, Acieta launched a new collaborative robotic system for welding. Thus, the launch of such cobots for welding will positively impact the market in focus during the forecast period.

Major Market Challenges

The operational challenges associated are the primary challenge for the market. The welding robots are beneficial and yield a high return on investment with using them in repetitive work. Factors such as the type of metal parts and the repeatability of operation are considered for the selection process of automating the welding process. The applications such as small batch size and large gaps between parts can affect the performance of the robots and increase welding time For example, if the parts have tight access points (a consistent gap between metal parts less than 0.5mm to 1mm)

Moreover, a few other technical challenges are poor fixtures and variations in the metal forming process may lead to incompatible welding by the robots. Hence, the preceding operation of metal forming is undertaken with high precision so as to generate consistent ends of the metal. In addition, for batch manufacturing or repair work, the time taken to program the robots is quite high. However, offline programming provides a remedy to reduce the efforts and time in reprogramming. However, since the teach pendant is the current predominantly used method of programming, extended operational downtime is a major factor. Such operational or technical challenges of robotic welding will limit its adoption among end-users, which in turn will hamper the growth of the market in focus during the forecast period.

Market Segmentation

By Product 

The spot-welding robots segment will account for a major share of the market's growth during the forecast period. Spot welding is a major process in manufacturing facilities across end-users. Industry players are adopting these to increase their productivity and achieve operational efficiency. These robots are used to join metal sheet frames quickly and efficiently. This type of welding can execute difficult welding operations while offering consistent process quality. These robots use copper alloys for transmitting electric current to the welding point and contain a spot welding gun at the terminal point of the robot wrist instead of an end-effector.

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The spot welding robots segment was valued at USD 3.22 billion in 2018.?Due to the growing use of these in the automotive, electronics, and heavy machinery industries. The introduction of new materials, such as composites and carbon fibers, in the industrial processes is expected to boost the scope of robots in spot welding operations. Rapid advancement in technical terms of flexibility to install spot welding robots, multi-robot welding cells, application-specific software, energy-efficient robots, and improvement in spot welding guns will increase their popularity among industry players during the forecast period. 

Regional Analysis

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APAC is estimated to contribute 61% to the growth during the forecast year.  Technavio's analysts have provided extensive insight into the market forecasting, detailing the regional trends and drivers influencing the market's trajectory throughout the forecast period. In APAC, because of government initiatives factors such as an increase in the demand for automobiles and the strong manufacturing sector that are leading to the growth of the market in APAC. Countries such as China and India are raising their investments in automation solutions in manufacturing plants to improve productivity and reduce cycle times. In addition, major market growth in APAC will come from countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea. 

Furthermore, in APAC the aerospace and defense industry was increasing due to strong growth in passenger and air cargo traffic. Strong economic growth, coupled with the rise in low-cost carriers, has resulted in the growth of air traffic in the region. For example, in India, several low-cost airlines have entered the passenger aviation market. These airlines are planning to increase the number of aircraft for future expansion. However, other countries in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia, are also aiming at developing their  Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) market for the aerospace and defense industry. The rising passenger aerospace market and growing investments in MRO facilities in Southeast Asia will drive the growth of the market in the aerospace and defense industry in APAC.

Key Companies & Market Insights

Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.

• Bystronic Laser AG: The company offers welding-robots such as Micro Cell, Compact Cell, and Compact System.

We also have detailed analyses of the market’s competitive landscape and offer information on key companies, including:

ABB Ltd., Acieta LLC, Carl Cloos Schweisstechnik GmbH, Daihen Corp., EWM AG, FANUC Corp., HD Hyundai Co. Ltd., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Kemppi Oy, MIDEA Group Co. Ltd., OMRON Corp., Panasonic Holdings Corp., Smenco Pty Ltd., SRDR Robotics, Stellantis NV, Teradyne Inc., The Lincoln Electric Co., and Yaskawa Electric Corp. 

Technavio market forecast the an in-depth analysis of the market and its players through combined qualitative and quantitative data. The analysis classifies companies into categories based on their business approaches, including pure-play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified. Companies are specially categorized into dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak, based on their quantitative data analysis.  

Segment Overview

The market research and growth report provides comprehensive data (region wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD Million" for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018 - 2022 for the following segments.

• Product Outlook 
  • Spot welding-robots
  • Arc welding-robots
  • Laser welding-robots

• End-user Outlook 
  • Automotive
  • Electrical and electronics
  • Heavy machinery
  • Others

• Region Outlook 
  • North America
    • The U.S.
    • Canada
  • Europe
    • The U.K.
    • Germany
    • France
    • Rest of Europe
  • South America
    • Chile
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
  • APAC
    • China
    • India
  • Middle East & Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa
    • Rest of the Middle East & Africa

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Market Analyst Overview

The market is witnessing a transformative shift with the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), cyber-physical systems, and cloud computing. Welding processes are being revolutionized by cloud robotics and big data analytics, enabling welding robot manufacturers to enhance efficiency and productivity. Industries such as the automotive industry, transportation industry, metals and machinery industry, and electrical and electronics industry are increasingly adopting data-driven decision-making and advanced robotics for cost-effectiveness and improved outcomes. Despite challenges like economic downturns and strict lockdowns, stakeholders are leveraging real-time data analytics to optimize production schedules and navigate disruptions in supply chains and transport restrictions while ensuring access to crucial raw materials. In Crete, initiatives in reskilling and upskilling are bolstered by advancements in robotic technologies such as laser welding robots and robotic arms, transforming welding tasks while addressing economic implications like taxation according to reports from Oxford Economics.

In the realm of modern manufacturing, robotics solutions are becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in welding applications. Integrating machine vision technologies and leveraging streamlined technology and component supply chains, industries such as construction are enhancing their capabilities in welding various components like pipes and structural elements. With a focus on ensuring consistent weld quality, these robotic systems also facilitate seamless data collection for predictive maintenance, preemptively identifying potential issues to optimize operational efficiency and minimize downtime. This convergence of advanced technologies underscores the pivotal role of robotics in modern industrial processes, offering both precision and productivity in welding applications across diverse sectors. 

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What are the Key Data Covered in this Industrial Welding Robots Market Research Report?

• CAGR of the market during the forecast period
• Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the industrial welding robots market between 2024 and 2028
• Precise estimation of the market growth and trends and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market
• Accurate predictions about upcoming market trends and analysis and changes in consumer behavior
• Market growth and forecasting across APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa
• A thorough market analysis and report of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information about companies
• Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of market  companies

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