CoboFlex Collaborative Welding Robot Cell
Short Summary
The CoboFlex TestBed represents a flexible and mobile collaborative robotic welding cell designed for smallseries production, prototyping, and educational applications. The system integrates a collaborative robot with advanced welding technology, enabling safe human–robot interaction without the need for complex safety fencing.
The key technological focus lies in collaborative robotics, adaptive automation, and digital manufacturing, supporting Industry 5.0 principles such as human-centric production, flexibility, and rapid reconfiguration. The system allows intuitive programming, quick deployment, and efficient welding of various workpieces, making it
suitable for both industrial and research environments. CoboFlex supports experimentation with welding parameters, process optimisation, and human–robot collaboration workflows. Its modular and mobile design enables easy relocation and integration into different production settings. The TestBed is particularly relevant for SMEs and educational institutions aiming to adopt advanced manufacturing technologies with low entry barriers.
Domain
DeepTech Area(s)
Robotics, Human Machine Interfaces
Application Domain
Manufacturing
Hosting Institution and Principal Investigator Information
- Name of host organization
- VIRS d.o.o.
- Name of building
- /
- Physical Address
- Industrijska ulica 4 B, 9220 Lendava, Slovenia
- Website Links
- https://www.virs.si/en/
- Institutional contact name
- For access through CITADELS project please contact Pomurje Technology Park
- Institutional contact email
- info@p-tech.si or marko@p-tech.si
- Principal Investigator name
- Anita Gjerek
- Position / Institutional role
- Director of the Robotics department
-
For access through CITADELS project please contact Pomurje Technology Park at info@p-tech.si or marko@p-tech.si
- Funding source(s) for TestBed's acquisition
- VIRS d.o.o.
Technical Description
Hardware
- Robot: 6 axes, reach: 1418 mm, payload capacity: 10 kg, repeatability: ±0,04 mm, speed: 250 mm/s (collaborative), 2000 mm/s (non-collaborative).
- Robot welding torch (MIG/MAG or TIG).
- Welding power source (Kemppi) (MIG/MAG or TIG – possibility of integrating welding sources from other manufacturers).
- Welding table (Siegmund).
- Control panel.
- Robot controller.
Software
- Integrated robot control and programming interface for collaborative welding operations.
Standards that apply
- ISO 10218: Safety of industrial robots.
Application Cases
- Collaborative robotic welding of metal components - Execution of MIG/MAG or TIG welding using a collaborative robot, enabling precise, repeatable, and flexible welding operations with safe human–robot interaction.
- Flexible deployment in SMEs and small-batch production - Use of a compact and mobile robotic welding cell that enables fast setup and adaptation to different workpieces, supporting efficient production in smallbatch environments.
- Training and skills development in robotic welding - Use of the TestBed for operator training in robot programming and welding processes, supporting handson learning and practical skills development.
Potential Stakeholders
Non-academic stakeholders
Industrial partners
SMEs
Startups
Professional associations
Academic stakeholders
Undergraduate students
MSc students
PhD students
Researchers
Exploitation Scenarios
- Internal academic research
- No
- Collaborative research with external academic partners
- Yes
- Contract research / Proof-of-Concept for industry
- Yes
- Pilot / DeepTech Deployment in operational environment
- Yes
- Training services (courses, workshops, certification)
- Yes
- Service provision (testing, benchmarking, validation)
- Yes
- Open access for walk-in users (e.g. open days / hackathons)
- No
Further Information
Further information about this testbed can be found HERE.
