The Vectis cobot tool pairs collaborative robots with all the software and tech you need to handle the nitty-gritty of welding jobs — and is a great option if you don’t have a spaceship-sized budget.
It’s portable, straightforward, and comes with tools tailored for fabricators — but don’t expect it to double as your all-purpose go-to.
Let’s break down whether it’s the right fit for your shop — or if you should keep browsing.
We’ll cover:
- What is the Vectis cobot?
- Types of Vectis cobot solutions
- Features and specifications
- Applications of Vectis cobots
- Advantages and limitations
- How it compares to other cobots
What is the Vectis cobot tool?
The Vectis cobot system is not a proprietary robot but rather an integrated solution with everything you’ll need to get started.
It’s built to simplify the life of small-to-medium-sized shops. This system pairs a collaborative robot (often from Universal Robots, both the UR10e and UR20) with a welding package that’s plug-and-play ready.
Whether it’s tackling thin aluminum or heavy-duty steel, the Vectis cobot transforms welding from a “skilled-only” job to one that even your intern can learn.
These cobots thrive in fab shops, reducing operator strain and pumping out precise welds without complaining about overtime. Portability is also a key perk — you can roll it across your shop floor like a high-tech toolbox on wheels.
Types of Vectis cobot solutions
Just like there's no one-size-fits-all pair of jeans, Vectis offers different solutions to fit different welding needs:
- Standard Welding Package: This turnkey solution is perfect for those who want to jump headfirst into automation without the hassle of customization. It's pre-configured and ready to tackle those everyday welding tasks like a seasoned pro who can weld in their sleep. (Although, hopefully, this cobot won't have any welding-related nightmares.)
- Custom Solutions: Have unique welding needs? Vectis can create a custom system tailored to your specific requirements.
Top Vectis cobot welder models
With each welding package, Vectis offers a variety of cobot models with strengths and specialties.
Let's meet the stars of the show:
Vectis UR10e Cobot Welder
- Payload: This cobot can handle a payload of up to 10 kg. That's enough to wield most standard welding torches and tools.
- Reach: With a reach of 1300mm, this cobot can access a wide range of work areas without breaking a limb.
- Applications: This model is good for lighter welding jobs, especially those that need a bit more precision and flexibility.
Vectis UR20 Cobot Welder
- Payload: This heavy-duty cobot can handle a payload of up to 20 kg. That's like carrying a small child... or a whole lot of welding equipment.
- Reach: With an impressive reach of 1750mm, this cobot can access even larger work areas. Its arms can reach (almost) anywhere.
- Applications: This cobot is designed for heavier-duty welding applications, where strength and reach are absolutely necessary. Think bridges, ships, and other things that need serious welding muscle.
Vectis UR10e Plasma Cutter
- Payload: This cobot can handle a payload of up to 10 kg.
- Reach: With a reach of 1300mm, this cobot can access a wide range of work areas.
- Applications: This model is perfect for plasma cutting a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. It's like a laser-focused surgeon, making precise cuts like nothing.
Vectis Dual Cobot System
- Payload: This system combines two cobot arms, each with a payload of up to 10 kg. Basically, you’re doing dual-weld instead of dual-wield.
- Reach: Each cobot arm has a reach of 1300mm, giving you a wide range of motion and flexibility.
- Applications: This system is ideal for high-volume welding applications or for welding large, complex parts. Or, in other words, your own synchronized cobot welding elite team.
Vectis Cobot with Revo Dual-Axis Positioner
- Payload: This system combines a UR20 cobot arm with a dual-axis positioner, opening up the door for even more flexibility and reach.
- Reach: The UR20 cobot arm has a reach of 1750mm, and the positioner adds another layer of movement, which makes it possible to weld even the most complex parts.
- Applications: This system is perfect for welding parts with multiple faces or when you need a bit of extra coordinated motion.
Applications of Vectis cobots
Vectis cobots are very adaptable as long as you’re into welding.
You can use them in a variety of applications, including:
- Metal fabrication: Optimizing welding jobs in small and mid-sized shops, helping owners increase productivity and reduce costs.
- Industrial welding: Improving precision and efficiency for heavy-duty fabrication, allowing industrialists to tackle those large-scale projects more easily.
- On-demand welding: Portable solutions for flexible job execution. Need to weld something in a tight space or on the go? Vectis is pretty good at that.
Advantages of Vectis cobots
Why choose a Vectis cobot?
Here are a few compelling reasons:
- Portable design: Easily relocate and deploy your cobot wherever it's needed. You can think of it as a welding assistant on wheels.
- Simple programming interface: Uses UR’s intuitive drag-and-drop programming, so you don’t need a degree in robotics — just basic common sense and a willingness to tinker. (Doesn’t mean you’re going to get it right the first time — or the first 10 times.)
- Extra safety: Collaborative robots are designed to work safely alongside humans, which cuts down the risk of workplace accidents.
- More productivity: Who would’ve thought about it? It turns out that automating welding jobs leads to more overall productivity — and workers who focus on more high-level stuff.
Limitations of Vectis cobots
While Vectis cobots offer many advantages, this doesn’t mean they’re the best ever.
Take a look at some of the possible dealbreakers:
- Prices are off the charts — literally: These bots don’t come cheap. Most of Vectis’ solutions will cost you between $95000 and $140000, all things considered. You could think about purchasing an apartment in Latin America for that price. (Just saying, we’ve heard the weather’s nice.)
- Limited to welding: Vectis cobots are welding and cutting only, which may not be OK for businesses that need a more versatile automation solution.
- Payload and reach restrictions: The payload and reach of Vectis cobots may not be enough for all industrial welding tasks, particularly those that involve very large or heavy workpieces.
For that, you may have to look into giants like FANUC, Yaskawa, or ABB. If you’re in the 15-20kg payload range, then there are better options available.
- Customization costs: While Vectis offers custom solutions, these can be more expensive than the standard packages. And yes, we’re talking about more than $140k, which is a crazy amount of money — even if you’re automating your fab shop.
How do Vectis cobots compare with other collaborative welding robots?
Vectis cobots are a strong contender in the collaborative welding robot market, but they're not the only game in town.
Here's how they stack up against some of the competition:
- RO1 by Standard Bots: This six-axis cobot arm has a higher payload capacity than most Vectis models (up to 18 kg) and far more versatility. It handles a huge variety of jobs beyond welding. It's also more affordable, with leasing options starting at just $5/hour. Plus, it’s got a no-code framework (great if you don’t want to learn how to code) and AI smarts that make it a top cobot solution.
- Lincoln Electric Cooper: Lincoln Electric offers advanced welding cobots with a focus on precision and quality. That being said, they typically come with a higher price tag than Vectis cobots. And that’s scary to think about.
- FANUC CRX welding cobot: FANUC's CRX cobots have a reputation for their durability and precision, but they may not be as portable or user-friendly as Vectis cobots. A model with a payload of 20kg will set you back nearly $60000.
Summing up
Okay, so we've covered a lot about Vectis cobots.
They're pretty cool if you're looking to automate your welding, especially if you're more in the “medium fab shop” range. You can move them around easily, and they're not too hard to program.
But, like with anything, there are some downsides: They're mainly for welding, so if you need a cobot that can do a bunch of different things, they might not be the best fit. Plus, they can't handle super heavy stuff. Oh, and they can get super pricey, even if you’re not looking for a custom setup.
Our take? It’s worth exploring alternatives, like RO1 by Standard Bots.
Next Steps with RO1 by Standard Bots
If you're ready to explore automation that's accessible and powerful, RO1 is the six-axis cobot arm that can elevate fab shops, big and small.
- Affordable and versatile: RO1 offers best-in-class capabilities at half the purchase price of comparable robots. Not ready to buy? Leasing starts at just $5/hour.
- Precision and strength: With a repeatability of ±0.025 mm and an 18 kg payload, RO1 handles everything from assembly and welding to material handling effortlessly.
- AI-driven and user-friendly: Featuring AI capabilities comparable to GPT-4, RO1's intuitive, no-code setup makes it easy to program and scale.
- Safety-first design: Equipped with machine vision and collision detection, RO1 operates confidently alongside your team without barriers.
Schedule your risk-free, 30-day onsite trial today and experience how RO1 levels up your shop floor with high-grade automation capabilities.
