If your business does some type of fabrication welding, then your partner needs to be Bud’s Machine Tools. A main-stay among our welding accessories are the rotational welding positioners that have a heavy-duty circular platform type of chuck attached to a framework of extra heavy design.
To some, these machines may look a little bit like a bizarre robotic character out of a science fiction movie. To weld shop supervisors, however, these machines look like “things of beauty” that help improve productivity while producing better welds, increasing the safety level for the operators and improving the operator’s mindset.
Like many other machine tools, welding rotators come in a few different configurations that are generally broken down by capability level. Bud's Machine Tools primarily sells BMT welding rotators, and BMT offers among the largest range of capacities in the industry.
At the basic end of these rotating positioners, you can get an entry-level rotator that turns your part in a 360° circle so the welder can produce a complete weld on his part without having to reposition him/her self in relation to the machine. This basic machine does two things. First it produces a better, more consistent weld. Second, it simply holds the work piece — just ask any welder who used to weld these parts on the floor how he/she likes welding the part on a welding rotator. In addition, BMT’s entry-level rotators also tilt the working platform up to 90°, in one-degree increments. Hands down, you will have a happier welder who is more productive and making better welds.
These welding rotators have a capacity range of 110 pounds weight rating on an approximate 12" diameter mounting surface, up to a large capacity of just over 44,000 pounds on an 87" working platform. The controls at this level of sophistication include an inverter-controlled rotational speed via cabled hand controller and a foot-actuated rotational brake.
It just happens that this is our very next topic. A member of our staff recently observed, “I personally feel like I have a hard time imagining how you could automate these weld rotators — but that’s probably why I’m not a machinery design engineer!”
So, the first enterprising engineer that came along with just a slightly more refined vision of what a weld rotator could do, added the ability to elevate the working platform or platter as much as 20". Then someone made a rotator that could turn in a full circle in both directions, and do so with variable speed. Next, someone designed a working platform that could tilt up to 90° while still being able to be raised and lowered as much as 20".
You can probably imagine what came next — weld rotators that are now CNC-controlled! BMT’s newest line of weld rotators has been totally re-designed, with features like a straight back column arrangement with dual linear bearings running the entire height of the machine. Being CNC-controlled, these new machines can be programmed to stop at any one of six programmable points along the rotator’s elevation range of 20 inches. This new series is similar in scope in regard to range of capacities as its less sophisticated cousins. Equipped with an RS-232 Ethernet port, these machines are ready to integrate into the “total factory” concept.
Well folks, if we were you, we would first beat the bushes for a supplier that really knows the product. Secondly, we’d make sure that supplier can supply the machine most closely matching our needs. Third, we’d look for experience in both product knowledge and application of the machine tool we were interested in. This list — and your list — could go on, but we think you get the idea.
Bud's Machine Tools is in the business of selling and supplying machine tools to every segment of the metal working industry. Give us a call and let us show you what we can do for you.
