Precision Weld Lathe Machine Uses
Automated weld lathe machines are designed and built for both small and large welding applications. Lathe welders are commonly used to weld seams or to join multiple components together. Here at Bancroft Engineering, we take pride in building the best precision weld lathes for manufacturers looking to automate—or just improve their overall welding processes!
About Weld Lathe Equipment
Precision weld lathe machines provide a versatile way to rotary weld production parts. Whether you’re in need of vertical, horizontal or inclined drive orientations, a weld lathe can be aligned to optimize and improve your production line. Check out Bancroft’s line of premium weld lathe machines below:
Model 605: The fully functional 605 model welder is a budget friendly alternative for circumferential welding cells. This system is designed to achieve a maximum welding rates as well as high-quality output with minimal labor costs.
- Precision machine bed
- Digital controls
- 500 lb load capacity
- Auto cycle operation
- 400 lb camping force at 80 PSIG
Model 1210: This welding lathe is powerful yet designed with simple setups in mind. It offers more consistency and repeatability than less controlled welding methods.
- Precision machine bed
- Digital controls
- 1000 lb capacity
- Auto cycle operation
- 650 lb clamping force at 80 PSIG
Synchronized Drive Lathe: These automated lathe machines are used to join two or more components that have radial orientation. With the focus on speed and quality, Bancroft’s synchronized drive weld lathes are versatile and production ready. Check out more details here.
Top Industries
Whether you have large parts or small, precision components, our wide range of lathe configurations can be used to meet your needs. Bancroft Engineering builds standard and customized weld lathe machines for a wide-range of industries and applications including:
- Automotive components (exhaust, wheels, suspension, torque converters, etc.)
- Hydraulic cylinders
- Pressure vessels
- Tanks
- Construction applications
- Military components
- Job shops & metal fabricators
Customizable & Flexible
Looking for something specific? Weld lathes can be customized to fit any circumferential and linear TIG, MIG or plasma welding requirement. Leave it to our team of highly skilled engineers and technicians to build a custom weld lathe machine that exceeds your expectations.
Precision Weld Lathe Manufacturer
We strive to design and build the right equipment for your job! From standalone solutions to complex fully-automated systems, our work is always backed up with quality installation, field service and support.
Bancroft Engineering designs and builds welding equipment out of Waukesha, WI—specializing in stand-alone machines to fully robotic automated systems. Ready to learn more about adding a precision weld lathe machine to your shop floor? Call us at 262-786-1880, or email: sales@bancrofteng.com to get started.
Tips to Prepare Metal Before Automatic Welding
Understanding the importance of clean metal before you begin any automatic welding, semi-automatic welding or manual process is key to a strong end result. Skipping the metal preparation step is one of the most overlooked tasks in the welding process, but it shouldn’t be! You run the risk of failing quality inspections or end up with ugly—or even weak welds.
Material preparation will vary depending on what type of tools you have such as automatic welding equipment, rotary welding systems, TIG welding cells or if you are welding manually. It will also depend on what type of metals you are using. Read on to get our general best-practice tips on how to prepare metal before welding.
Keep it Clean
Beginning with clean, debris-free material is the best way to ensure positive outcomes. Before using an automated welding system, remove any paint, oils, grease or rust. Here are a few common tools used to clean metal:
- Sandpaper
- Abrasive blasting
- Stainless steel brushes
- Solvents such as acetone or other alkaline cleaners
Avoid creating any deep scratches when cleaning your material as removing too much material from the metal can result in poor weld quality and costly rework. Always organize your cleaning utensils and keep ferrous and nonferrous tools separate. Cross-contamination can occur when the wrong cleaning tool is used.
Removing Oxide Layers
If you’re welding with aluminum, it can add an extra element of difficulty due to the nature of the metal. Aluminum has a greater risk to develop weld problems— such as lack of penetration—due to the tough oxide layer. Other metal materials may also have a coating on them to avoid rust during shipping. Oxidation can from quickly, so it’s best to clean small areas at a time right before the automatic welding process begins.
Joint Preparation
Preparing the metal’s edge is a critical step that allows the filler metal and part edge to fuse together without melting. Depending on your parts, one of these basic weld joints should be used:
- Butt joint: parts are on the same plane and they are joined at their edges.
- Corner joint: parts form a right angle and are joined at the corner of the angle.
- Tee joint: one joint is at a right angle, while the other resembled the letter “T.”
- Lap joint: formed with two overlapping parts.
- Edge joint: joints are parallel with each other and are joined at the seam.
Proper Storage
A major challenge is preventing indirect material contamination from dust or other airborne particles floating through your shop floor. While you can’t stop dust and dirt completely, here are a few material storage tips to keep in mind:
- Store in a dry location
- Ensure minimum temperature fluctuation
- Cover materials with plastic or thin sheets of cardboard
Automatic Welding Systems
No matter what type of welding you are performing, it’s important to take the time to prepare your material before you get started. It’s worth the extra effort to get a strong weld that also looks perfect!
Bancroft Engineering designs and builds welding equipment such as rotary welders, weld lathes, seam welders and much more out of Waukesha, WI—specializing in stand-alone machines to fully robotic automated systems. Need help automated your welding process? Give us a call at 262-786-1880, or email: sales@bancrofteng.com to get started.
NEW Weld Lathe Machine + Secondary Operation Add-On
We are proud to be offering NEW weld lathe equipment that also includes added-value operations—all in one piece of machinery. Our standard 605 and 1210 model circumferential welding systems have always been designed with flexibly in mind. Now, we are offering the availability of even more options to customize a solution to fit all of your welding, machining and other fabrication needs.
We believe that your next piece of automated welding equipment should perform above average! These brand-new lathe machines with added machining applications offer high repeatability, extreme consistency and minimal run-out.
Value-Added Operations
Along with our standard welding machine product lines, Bancroft Engineering also provides customized solutions to fit the demands of any project. We now offer the possibility of adding secondary operations. Have metal parts that need to be welded and drilled? Now, this can be done all in one machine—saving time and labor while optimizing your production line.
Machining Secondary Operation Add-Ons:
- Drilling
- Milling
- Cutting
- Custom machining tasks
Standard Machine Features
Bancroft’s weld lathe family is one of the most versatile ways to rotary weld production parts. Our standard product line of weld lathe machines come with a plethora of features and specifications:
- Accurate machine bed
- Modern digital control System
- DC rotary drive
- 500-1000 lb. load capacity
- Automated cycle operations
- Adjustable operator console
- 400-650 lb. clamping force
- 4”x4” cross-side torch adjustability
- Standard air-cooled torch
- Much more…
- See All Standard Features
Weld Lathe Custom Configurations
- Multiple weld torch & frame configurations
- Programmable torch positioning
- Torch Weaving
- Programmable multi-pass welding
- Machine enclosure and flash shields
- TIG, plasma or submerged arc applications
- Tooling and factory runoff
- Much more…
- See all Custom Options
Weld Lathe Machines + Secondary Operations Combined
We are excited to expand the weld lathe family to include value-added machining operations. Bancroft Engineering designs and builds welding equipment out of Waukesha, WI—specializing in stand-alone machines to fully robotic automated systems.
Ready to take the next step? Call us at 262-786-1880, or email: sales@bancrofteng.com to get started.
Circle Welders – Automated Welding & Machines to Match
Dedicated welding equipment, such as automated circle welders or rotary welding equipment, are great additions to any welding/fabrication operation. Our line of premier Welda-Round machines offer options for manufacturing projects of almost any alloy or welding method. Automated circle welding systems are designed to be economical and repeatable.
Some major benefits of circle welders are:
- Higher levels of production than manual process and even robotic systems
- Lower installation costs than other automation cells
- Highly repeatable welding output
- Easy to set up, operate and maintain
- Takes up minimal shop floor space
Let’s get into our rotary welder offerings, some of their standard features and how you can customize each piece to fit your welding projects.
MODEL 300 – MIG Circle Welder
This is the most popular circular welding system in the welding industry today! With a 75-pound head clamping force, this machine is heavy duty yet compact. Each 300 Model Welda-Round has the latest automated welding digital controls and technology for easy setup and operation.
- DC rotation drive
- Adjustable operation console
- CNC machined tooling arms
- MORE…
MODEL 350 – Rotary TIG Circle Welder
The Model 350 is a high capacity rotary welder that is capable of a single revolution weld cycle in a matter of seconds. It has high-frequency protection as well as drive delays and overlap controls. This robust TIG welding machine has a 360-degree rotation torch, perfect for any demanding job.
- Adjustable 8-inch vertical stroke
- Standard air-cooled torch
- 300 amp and 70% duty cycle
- MORE…
MODEL 500 – Port Welder
The larger and more robust Model 500 port welder offers extreme welding rigidity and accuracy. The duel torch system and a 100-pound clamping force are all situated on a heavy-duty frame. It’s the perfect machine for larger weldments and all other circumferential welding projects.
- 500 Amp duty cycle
- 50-550 IPM integral wire drive
- .7 to 14 RPM rotation speed
- MORE…
MODEL 550A – Aluminum Rotary Welder
Ultimate wire feeding capability for aluminum spud welding. When welding aluminum special care must be taken to properly feed soft aluminum wire. The 550A was developed using a slip ring assembly allowing the wire spool to rotate with the torch. This eliminates whip or twisting of the aluminum wire to prevent weld defects.
- Flexible configurations for headers and other pressure vessels
- Can be configured for all Arc Welding Processes
MODEL 600 – Fitting Welder
For unbeatable speed and quality, the Model 600 fitting welder is exactly what every modern welding shop needs. The arc time on this machine is drastically reduced as the rotating torches can travel 180-degrees and has an adjustable overlap. With a hefty 750-pound head clamping force, the model 600 Welda-Round is an all-star piece of welding equipment.
- Floor mounted operator console
- Fabricated tooling arm
- Wire drives
- MORE…
Rotary Welder & Circle Welder Machines Made in Wisconsin USA
All of our standard circle welders can be fully customized for your unique requirements. Bancroft Engineering designs and builds welding equipment out of Waukesha, WI—specializing in stand-alone machines to fully robotic automated systems.
Ready to learn more about a customized welding system for your company? Call us at 262-786-1880, or email: sales@bancrofteng.com to get started.
Trade-In Trade-Up Welding Machine Program
Is your Bancroft Welda-round starting to show signs of aging? Do you think it might be time to replace your old Bancroft welding machine and trade-up to a newer, more efficient model that can truly fit your needs?
We recently had a customer approach us with this exact situation. We started our normal process of quoting them a new machine and/or to rebuild their existing equipment. They responded with, “I like the rebuild idea, but we cannot afford the downtime.”
Bancroft Rotary Welding Machines
This got our sales team thinking! “We either need to stock a refurbished 300 Welda-round so we can send it to our customer and trade them for their current machine. OR, can we send a new machine at a discount and take their old machine in on trade?”
The answer? Our new Trade-In Trade-Up Program! Trade-in your old Welda-round and your new rotary welding machine will come with all the same options as your current machine plus give you the capability to add on more features to suit your needs.
We hope our new Trade-In Trade-Up offering will significantly help our existing customers. Here are a few big perks for utilizing this new program:
- Use the latest and greatest in automated welding technology
- Ensures you’ll get a great price for your former or out-dated machine
- Eliminates the inconvenience of downtime
- Removes the hassle of waiting for the older machine to be sold, uninstalled and moved out of the way
Get Started with the Trade-In Trade-Up Welding Machine Program
To trade-in your old welding machine, simply send us a picture of it. Within 48 hours you will receive a quote that will include your trade savings. We guarantee a minimum of $5,000 in savings regardless of your machine’s condition!
Included in this program, Bancroft will offer FREE shipping of your old equipment back to our plant in Waukesha, WI.
For complete details, call: 262-786-1880 or email us at sales@bancrofteng.com.
Automated Welding Equipment: To Replace or Not to Replace?
It can be difficult to know if you’re making the right decisions when it comes to automated welding equipment expenses. How do you know if it’s the right choice to purchase a new piece of equipment or continue to repair an old one? We’re here to help ease that decision process. Read on to learn if you should or should not replace your current automated systems.
First, can you afford downtime?
If you’re running five welders and one goes down, that’s a much different situation than if you’re running one or two and lose one—that’s at least half of your production lost! Some businesses can’t afford downtime, while others prefer to maintain older equipment.
Next, assess what life is still left in your current automated welding equipment
It’s important to understand what the annual maintenance costs are of all your current welding systems. Tracking those costs over time is one of the best indicators of the longevity of a machine. It’s safe to say that almost all machinery will inevitably wear out. Knowing what you’ve invested into the machine over the past few years will give you a baseline of where it’s at when you’re looking at making the decision to either replace it with a new system or retrofit the welding equipment completely.
For example, if a machine is 15-20 years old and in the past decade all you’ve done is routine maintenance, it’s more likely you’ll soon face a major repair. So, it might be a good time to look into buying a new piece of equipment. However, if you have an older machine you recently overhauled or refurbished, it’s probably better to hold onto it and reap the benefits of your investment.
Finally, are the critical electronic components still available?
In today’s innovative manufacturing world, electronic manufacturers are making components obsolete and discontinuing production of system components earlier and earlier. Make a list—or ask the manufacturer for a list—of the critical components. A quick internet search will take care the rest.
Still not sure?
If you decide it’s time to replace your welding equipment or retrofit an older machine, give Bancroft Engineering a call and let us make the next 20 years worry free!
Bancroft Engineering, located in Waukesha WI has years of experience designing, building and updating automated welding equipment for every sized project.
Request a Quote Today
Google vs. Bancroft + Happy Holidays!
GOOGLE, What do people most frequently ask about welding?
- What does it take to be a welder?
- Are welders in demand?
- Why do welding rods stick?
- How long does it take to become a welder?
- Do welders make good money?
- What is the highest paid welding jobs?
GOOGLE, What are the most difficult questions to answer about welding?
- Is it better to use fixed welding automation or a robot?
- Can an air-cooled robotic MIG gun be used instead of a water-cooled gun?
- What is the benefit of touch sensing?
- Do I need a seam tracking system?
- What type of payback can be expected from an automated welding system?
GOOGLE, Is there an expert that can help me make decisions about welding automation?
While Google might have the answers to the simple questions, let Bancroft answer the more complicated welding automation questions! We take the time to understand your welding requirements and offer advice that is customized to your needs. Bancroft Engineering offers a wide range of standard welding equipment such as weld lathes, synchronized drive lathes, linear welding systems, seamers and more. We also offer custom equipment and robotic welding cells to fit any part size, weight or geometry.
Get in touch with us today to get ALL of your automation questions answered
Should You Upgrade to a Longitudinal Seam Welder?
If you are currently using a manual process to do your linear welding then this article is for you. We have highlighted the benefits of upgrading to a Bancroft longitudinal seam welder and show you how it can improve your welding process. No matter what type of parts you are seam welding, automation can help you to increase your productivity while decreasing welding errors.
For many industrial applications, it is necessary to form the material into cylinders or rectangular tubes within the part production process. The edges are then welded together to form a rigid structure. Instead of holding the edges in alignment and manually tack welding, longitudinal seamers provide the aide of automation.
Automated longitudinal seam welders offer many benefits and also help to eliminate common problems such as:
- Leaks around tack weld areas
- Uniformly chilling of the joint to prevent distortion and oxidation
- Dimensional accuracy and repeatability problems
Welded linear seams are uniform across the entire length and can be done using a variety of welding methods:
- MIG
- TIG
- Submerged Arc
- Plasma
- Laser
A longitudinal seam welder gives the operator repeatability with the touch of a button. Seamers increase production while providing consistent quality welds from piece to piece. These machines are cantilevered from one end to allow loading and unloading of open and closed sections directly to the mandrel arm.
Seam welders can be used for external or internal welding applications. Below is a photo example of an internal process:
There are many ways to weld a seam. Browse our website for more information and give one of our engineering experts a call. We can walk you through the options and help you decide what equipment will improve your welding process the most.
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Looking to Automate Your Welding Process?
Pondering between fully or semi-automatic welding systems?
Fully automated robotic welding strives to completely remove the need for skilled labor to produce welds. Everything is done by the machine itself from setup to production—all the way down to the cleaning of the welding torch. While the initial equipment investment tends to be higher, there are many advantages to fully automatic welding over manual welding:
- Produces more consistent welds
- Ideal for large volume production
- Higher quality welds
- Improves worker safety
- Reduces production cost
A popular alternative to fully automatic welding is semi-automatic welding systems. These machines generally require an operator to load and unload product. Depending on the job, semi-automatic systems can be as efficient and many times easier to operate than a robotic system.
Bancroft offers a wide variety of equipment for both fully-automatic and semi-automatic welding. Both types of equipment offer processes that are much quicker and more effective than manual welding. It also produces better, more consistent welds than welding by hand. There is an even greater benefit if larger welds are involved, multiple passes are needed, or higher part quantities are being produced. Automated equipment is also ideal for industries where weld strength plays an important factor, as the welds are of higher quality.
Bancroft is always ready to start a completely custom machine design and also has a variety of standard semi-automatic welding equipment in stock including welding positioners, Welda-rounds, and weld-lathes.
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Rebuilding Your Aging Welding Equipment
Using outdated or broken welding equipment can be hurting your company’s productivity, quality, ROI and more. The cutting-edge technology that was out 5-10 years ago is far behind the welding equipment of today. Rebuilding your current, outdated machines can improve welding performance and give you the reliability your company needs.
Bancroft does more than offer new welding equipment—we can rebuild and update your old and worn out machinery, whether you purchased it from us to begin with or not.
Benefits of Rebuilding Your Aging Welding Equipment:
- Saves money
- Extends equipment life
- Decreases downtime
- Increase welding quality
- Optimizes power efficiency
- Decrease training time
- Expands machine’s versatility
During the rebuilding process, Bancroft will make aesthetic improvements, replace any worn parts, inspect the machine for future problems and update all welding components that may have become obsolete.
Featured below are the before pictures of our 300 Welda-Round that has been in use for many years. This machine has just been updated by Bancroft.
The photos below are what it looks like after the upgrade was completed.
How old is your welding equipment? Today’s state-of-the-art welding technology will make your equipment run more efficiently and create an immediate payback.
Give us a call and we can help you make your welding equipment look and function like it’s brand-new!