Australia and New Zealand have embraced robotic welding with the Ocean Challenger. One of the newer Challenger installations, named “Snr”, is installed and operational at Watkins Steel, just north of Brisbane.
Watkins embraces a wide range of steel fabrication and miscellaneous metal work, and has pioneered their own Digital Construction process. This unique process comprises multiple steps including 3D scanning of work sites prior to modeling in Tekla. Steel then runs through their CNC processing machinery, before being robotically welded, and using 3D model projection with virtual reality headsets, they are able to visualize and verify erection dimensions during the erections process. This process improves quality, reduces site delays and allows projects to be completed sooner.
L-R: Matt Hunter – Watkins Steel, Danny Steyn – Ocean Machinery, Pete Mazza – Impact Machinery, Tony Dickinson – Watkins Steel
