Welding robot pricing starting point: The Welding robots 

First, it’s essential to know that the welding gun (or end-effector) is the primary tool the robot will use to weld. These end-effectors cover all welding types, including:

• Spot Welding 
• MIG Welding 
• TIG Welding 
• Laser Welding 
• Electron-beam Welding

Your specific welding application will significantly affect the price of end-effectors. For example, an electron-beam end-effector will cost more than a TIG end-effector. Spot welding end-effectors are usually the cheapest.   

Three types of robots are available for welding. Each type is compatible with various end-effectors and has specific individual strengths when performing certain welding operations.

Exploring robot price tags

Cartesian Welding robots

Best for: Large Spot, TIG, MIG Welds

Price range: $10,000-$50,000

Articulated arm Welding robots

Best for: Any type, but excel at complex welds

Price range: $50,000-$500,000+

SCARA Welding robots

Best for: Small and medium-sized parts

Price range: $10,000-$50,000

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Cartesian Welding robots in detail

Also known as Gantry robots, these machines move horizontally and vertically across three axes and can achieve high precision and repeatability. They can cover a large work area (work envelope), so Cartesian robots excel at welding enormous pieces of metal. 

The downside is that Cartesians can’t weld in intricate patterns. They’re prime spot, TIG, MIG, and laser welding candidates.

Cartesian Robots are generally the least expensive of all Welding robots. While they range from $10,000 to $50,000, a high-tech end-effector like a laser welding gun or TIG/MIG welder can rocket their total price tag to over $100,000. 

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Articulated arm Welding robots in detail

These robots resemble human arms and have several joints enabling them to move in circular directions and extend outwards. With their complicated joints and movement proficiency, they can meld materials with extreme precision. 

Articulated arm robots can perform any type of welding. They'll weld behemoth projects if they’re big enough; small articulated arm robots can meld the tiniest metal trinkets. They excel at welding in difficult-to-reach places and at awkward angles.  

Complex programming and meticulous design make articulated arm Welding robots the most expensive. A simple articulated arm spot welder can fetch around $50,000, while an articulated arm toting an uber-advanced, electron-beam end-effector will top $500,000.

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SCARA Welding robots in detail    

Also known as Selective Compliance Assembly Robots, small SCARA Welding robots have three or four joints empowering them to spin. Unlike articulated arm robots, they can’t extend - meaning they’re limited to working at close quarters.

SCARA robots’ compact nature makes them perfect for welding small and medium-sized parts, and they excel at TIG, MIG, and laser welding. They can seamlessly spin and weld various points of a small metal product atop a conveyor.  

Because SCARA robots aren’t overly complex, they generally range from as low as $10,000 and move up as high as $50,000. Like with other robots in this list, installing a top-of-the-line laser end-effector could significantly increase the cost of a SCARA welder. 

Your automated welder's type—and cost—depends on the products and the variety of welding you’re doing. A simple Cartesian Welding robot with a spot-welding end-effector will cost much less than TIG and MIG end-effectors, while an electron-beam end-effector will raise the costs considerably.

Other factors affecting Welding robot prices

While robot welder and end-effectors costs are of primary importance to most potential purchasers, beware of bank-account-affecting secondary factors involved with purchasing a Welding robot. Below are just a few things to consider. 

• Additional safety equipment: Every business operating a Welding robot must take safety precautions to protect humans working alongside their robot coworkers. In most cases, you will want to install an enclosure and fume-extraction ventilation systems around the welding area to remove dangerous particulates.
  Manufacturers can install automated emergency interlocks that will stop the Welding robot if sensors detect unsafe levels of smoke, fumes, or other potential hazards. You’ll also want to equip your factory with emergency stop buttons and protective security fencing to separate workers from the robot while in motion.

• Customized end-effectors: Certain niche Welding robots need non-standardized end-effectors to work. Getting these special end-effectors requires a company to spend extra time designing, fitting, and customizing proprietary welding guns and their components.
  Some companies weld niche products and require a custom-made end-effector. The following will most likely need a customized end-effector to weld:

1. Highly-complicated parts, like those found in the aeronautics and defense industries
2. Metals to plastics
3. In extreme environments

Crafting and tailoring one-of-a-kind end-effectors will come at a premium price. 

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Finally, some welding applications consume gluttonous amounts of energy. In these situations, the end-effector shoulders the burden by lifting heavy electric cables. These end-effectors will require a robot with a heavier payload capacity, which can increase the cost of the robot arm.

• Software: Customized end-effectors might need tailored software that accommodates the special welding conditions mentioned above. You’ll also need someone to program the robot. Many Welding robots come with no-code programming software, but specialized welders likely require specialized programming.

• Maintenance: Welding robots inevitably require maintenance. Some robotics companies include annual maintenance in the robot’s purchase price. In contrast, others charge an extra fee. Verify that you know how often you’ll need to perform maintenance throughout the year and how much assistance the robotics company you purchase from provides. 

• Factory space: Ensuring you know the size of the Welding robot and how it will fit into your operation is crucial. Does your current factory have enough floor space to house and maintain a Welding robot and the necessary safety features? Or will you need to purchase additional land to fit your robot? Remember, many companies that adopt Welding robots produce more products. Therefore, you may need to free up extra space for more consumables and finished products. 

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Understanding the total cost of Welding automation

Upgrading your welding operation to an automated one is a task that requires thorough planning and a complete understanding of the end-effector you’ll use. Because each factory’s welding operation differs, those considering switching to automated Welding robots should keep the following points in mind: 

• The robot type best suited to your welding application
• The end-effector needed to perform the welding
• Additional safety measures and equipment required
• How the robotics company approaches periodic maintenance 
• Ease of software programmability 
• Factory space
  

An investment of a few hundred thousand dollars is intimidating, but Welding robots often reduce wastage and increase welded products' output. Automated welding systems usually result in a swift return on investment and attractive future profit margins. 

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Next steps     

With this high-level overview of Welding robot prices, you now know how to make an informed choice for your specific welding needs. Whether you’re automating TIG Welding, Spot Welding, or another process, the purchase process remains the same.

Interested in bringing Welding robots to your own business? RO1 by Standard Bots is the best choice for large and small fab shops:

• Affordable: RO1 is the most affordable robotic arm in its class, starting at almost half the price of incumbent competitors. 
• Powerful: RO1 is faster and more precise than competitors despite having the highest payload capacity in its class at 18 kg.
• Collaborative: RO1 comes equipped with safety sensors and built-in collision detection for safe operation around your welders and operators.‍

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Speak to our solutions team today to organize a free, 30-day onsite trial and get expert advice on everything you need to deploy your first Welding robot.