New welding robot in place in the workshop

Text and video: Sveinung W. Jensen, Tellus Communications

– This is a milestone for Tratec Halvorsen. With this investment, we are well equipped to face the future, says Frode Olsen, CEO of Tratec Halvorsen.

By automating the welding process, the number of man-hours required for multi-layer welding is reduced, while errors and defects are significantly minimized.

“We will still need many skilled welders. The welding robot will help compensate for the lack of qualified welders we have in Norway,” says Olsen.

After winning several contracts on the Yggdrasil project, activity in the workshop has been at a record high in 2024.

– With this investment, we will be competitive internationally, also against countries with lower labor costs, Olsen points out.

THREE THOUGHTS, including a square storage tank with a total volume of 120 cubic meters, has already been delivered to the customer.

The largest tank ever produced in the workshop is now being completed, a 6Mo tank measuring almost 20 meters in length. In addition, work is being carried out frantically on seven skid packages, consisting of frame structures, pipes and tanks.

One of these tanks is now connected to the new welding robot.

THE STATION is highly versatile. It can handle workpieces with diameters from 500 to 5000 millimeters, lengths up to 20000 millimeters and stubs from 25 to 1000 millimeters.

In addition to butt joints, the station can weld circular and longitudinal weld seams, support legs and other external components.

– When the station reaches full capacity, we expect to achieve time savings of between 60 and 70 percent, says Olsen.