This Week in Welding & Robotics — November 01, 2025–November 07, 2025
Multiprocess flexibility took center stage as both robotic and manual welding saw “do‑more” platforms debut. At the same time, market signals were mixed: a notable workforce cut at a major cobot/AMR vendor contrasted with surging robot production in China and fresh OEM investment in modular vehicle body lines.
Novarc combines TIG and MIG in one pipe-spool cell with new SWR-TIGMIG
Summary: Novarc launched the SWR-TIGMIG, a dual-process spool welding robot that integrates autonomous TIG and MIG on a single platform for pipe fabrication. The cell features single-camera weld imaging and NovSync multi-positioner control to coordinate work handling within a compact footprint. The design targets higher throughput and broader material/joint coverage without adding floor space.
Why it matters: Consolidating TIG and MIG in one robotic cell reduces changeover, floor space, and capex while expanding the range of automatable pipe work, speeding ROI for fab shops and contractors and pressuring rivals to offer integrated multi-process solutions.
Source: GlobeNewswire
Teradyne trims 14% of robotics staff as UR and MiR revenues miss, signaling cooler cobot/AMR demand
Summary: Teradyne Robotics announced another 14% workforce reduction after revenue fell below expectations, impacting its Universal Robots cobot arms and MiR autonomous mobile robots businesses. The move aims to align operating expenses with current demand across factory automation. No revenue figures were disclosed.
Why it matters: UR and MiR platforms underpin many welding cells and intralogistics deployments; the cuts point to near-term softness that could slow product roadmaps, partner programs, and deployment timelines, reinforcing cautious CapEx behavior in discrete manufacturing.
Source: The Robot Report
China’s robot output surges 28.3% YoY in September to 76,300 units, with YTD at 595,000
Summary: China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reported September industrial robot output of 76,300 units, up 28.3% year over year. Year-to-date production reached 595,000 units, driven by automotive, electronics, and new energy manufacturing demand.
Why it matters: Rising domestic production suggests improved availability and potential price competition globally, especially for welding and assembly cells in EV, battery, and electronics lines—supporting shorter lead times and intensifying competition among integrators and suppliers.
Source: TechNode
Comau deploys modular BIW automation for Foton Daimler’s A6 heavy-duty truck platform
Summary: Comau delivered a fully automated body-in-white line to Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive to support the new A6 premium heavy-duty truck platform. The system applies modular production principles to increase flexibility and shorten time-to-market, reinforcing the partners’ long-standing collaboration.
Why it matters: Modular, flexible BIW architectures help OEMs handle variant complexity and faster model cycles—key priorities for welding, joining, and robotics in commercial vehicle manufacturing—and signal continued capex in advanced automation.
Source: Robotics and Automation News
Miller’s Multimatic 215 Pro brings on-the-fly switching across MIG, DC TIG, and stick
Summary: Miller Electric introduced the Multimatic 215 Pro, a multiprocess power source that transitions on the fly among MIG (GMAW), DC TIG (GTAW), and stick (SMAW). Targeted at professionals and small to midsize shops, the unit consolidates three common arc processes to cut changeover time and reduce equipment footprint.
Why it matters: Immediate process switching accelerates job turnaround and boosts machine utilization in job shops, maintenance, and prototyping cells—lowering capex while broadening the mix of materials and joints supported with a single power source.
Source: The Fabricator
Conclusion
In sum, the week underscores a push toward versatile, compact welding solutions even as parts of the robotics market reset. Watch for multiprocess offerings to proliferate, Chinese robot volumes to pressure pricing and lead times, and OEM investments in flexible BIW to ripple through integrator pipelines heading into 2026.
