A 2-day conference and exhibition designed to help you decide if robotics is a good match for your application. If you've already integrated robotics, learn how to extract more precision from your operation.

Conference Program

Sunday, February 8 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Advanced onsite registration Monday, February 9 7:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. General Registration 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Exhibits open 8:30 a.m. - Welcome 8:40 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Session I 1. The Intelligent Arc Welder The "intelligent arc welder" can: make programming and operation easy; increase throughput with advanced software and control; include uptime tools to maximize robot utilization; reduce the cost of handling and material management; and acquire usable data for more precision. Michael M. Sharpe, Engineering Manager, Materials Joining Segment, FANUC Robotics, Rochester Hills, MI 2. A Total Quality Plan for Robotic Arc Welding Successful robotic arc welding requires a well thought out plan for success, which needs to be in place early in the project. Productivity, uptime and weld quality do not come free and, of course, "the devil is in the detail." Jeffrey S. Noruk, President, Servo Robot Corp., Mequon WI and Chair, AWS D16 Robotic and Automatic Welding Committee and AWS/SAE D8C Subcommittee on Arc Welding Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall 3. AWS D16 Committee Publications and a New Video Highlighting Successful Robotic Welding Applications The D16 Committee is the information resource for those engaged in the safe use of robots in arc welding applications. Learn the rationale behind recent ANSI-compliant work performed by the Committee in promulgating the Specification for Robotic Arc Welding Safety. Special preview of the new AWS video on robotic applications. Vernon L. Mangold, Jr., President, ISS, Centerville, OH, and Michael W. Perry, Sales Manager, Robotic Products, Preston-Eastin, Inc., Tulsa, OK 4. Do's and Don'ts of Fixturing for Robotic Arc Welding Fixturing can make or break a robotic welding application. Properly designed fixtures can help assure success, but can also enhance productivity and quality. The focus is on design and application of welding fixtures to optimize the robotic welding installation. James Berge, Owner, Berge Enterprises, St. Charles, IL 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Lecture "Welding in the 24th Century" Guest Speaker E. D. (Ernest) Levert, Senior Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, TX, and AWS President 2002-2003. Like Star Trek, this presentation envisions the future - in this case, the future of professional welding. 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Session II 5. Robotic Arc Welding Applications in Shipbuilding Automation will allow shipbuilders of today to enter the worldwide shipbuilding market of tomorrow. Integration of automation into existing shipbuilding technology requires patience, commitment and up-front cost but ultimately will provide shipbuilders with a significant competitive advantage. Uma Bansal, Electrical Engineer, NAVSEA, Carderack Div., West Bethesda, MD 6. Automation of Welding for ATV Frames Here's the history of a project that includes the evolution of both the process and the parts. Details on cost/benefit and labor savings and other real application information will be included. The details of this nearly two million dollar project are both intriguing and relevant. Robin L. Foster, Technical Welding Manager, Arctic Cat, Inc., Thief River Falls, MN Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall 7. High Volume Welding of Thin Gage Stainless Steel Fabricating a combination of stainless steel sheet and cast components on a high volume scale has been achieved using GMAW. This robotic welded assembly problem revealed opportunities for other improvements including leak rate and dimensional capabilities. Christopher P. Schils, Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Modine Manufacturing Company, Joplin, MO 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall open 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Hosted Reception in Exhibit Hall; cash bar until 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 10 8:30 A.M. - 12:00 p.m. Session III 8. Case Studies: Utilizing Arc Data Monitoring This presentation will discuss the results derived from case studies where arc data monitoring equipment was profitably used. Vincent N. Romano, Sales Manager, Impact Engineering, Jackson, MI 9. What to do When Your System Just Doesn't Weld Right: A Diagnostic Approach How should you evaluate arc data, robot-to-welder interface, and weld feed systems? A simple diagnostics approach from the welding equipment perspective is offered. Kevin L. Summers, Welding Engineer, and Bob Davidson, Electrical Engineer, Miller Electric Mfg. Co., Appleton, WI Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall 10. Build Your Arc Welding Cell using the AWS A9.4 Network Protocol This presentation describes functional and technical details of the CAN-based protocol being studied and documented by the AWS A9 Committee. This network technology is replacing point-to-point electronic links to connect power sources, wire feeders, gas controllers, and other devices for hard automation and robotic arc welding, and will make integration of weld cell devices more efficient and effective. William Rippey, Electrical Engineer, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, and Chair, AWS A9 Committee on Computerization of Welding Information 11. Why Understanding Welding Costs is the Key to Cost Reduction An understanding of how to define and measure the cost of welding can lead to a substantial reduction in that cost. The impact of parameter and materials changes on welding productivity/cost will be illustrated using several simple software tools. Kevin A. Lyttle, Manager, Welding R&D, Praxair, Inc., Tonawanda, NY 12. A New State of the Art Flexible Fabrication Line The automation of a sheet metal processing cell to increase capacity and productivity, while decreasing work-in-process, workman's compensation costs, cycle time and quality defects. This fabrication line includes a cut-to-length line, turret, laser, wing bender, robotic welding and sophisticated material handling equipment. James A. Grace, Engineering Manager, P.E., ABB Power T&D Co. Inc., Jefferson City, MO 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Introduction to New AWS Robotic Arc Welding Certification Ed Bohnart, SCWI, CWE, CRAW-Technologist, CEO, Welding Training Solutions, and AWS President 1995-1996 1:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. Session IV 13. Case Studies: Success for First Time Welding Robot Users Two case studies of companies that purchased robots for the first time will have their experiences compared. David J. Erbe, Application Manager, and Marty Weir, National Sales Manager, Panasonic Factory Automation, Geneva, IL 14. Case Studies: Laser Welding of Steel and Aluminum Why does North America continue to research and apply laser welding for automotive manufacturing? Laser welding of automotive roofs in steel and laser welding of aluminum automotive structural components give the answers. Douglas Juhl, Product Manager, Laser Systems, KUKA Flexible Production Systems, Clinton Township, MI 15. Case Studies: Robotic Arc Welding with Metal-Cored Filler Materials The speaker examines the features and benefits of metal-cored filler materials in robotic arc welding. Using laboratory-generated data and actual case studies, the benefits of welding mild steel, thin gage base materials with small diameter metal-cored wires will be presented. Dan Arthur, Vice President of Research and Development, J.W. Harris Co., Mason, OH 16. A Simple Effective Approach to the Implementation of Global Robot MIG Weld Process Controls Insider tips on how to recognize the root cause of robot weld issues and how to implement effective robot weld process controls in order to optimize productivity. Edward Craig, CEO, www.WeldReality.com, Ashville, NC 3:30 p.m. Conference Adjourns

Conference or seminar attendees can take advantage of the specially negotiated rate of $99 for single and double occupancy. This special rate is also extended to you three days before the conference and three days after the conference (depending on hotel availability). Be sure to mention the AWS 8th Robotic Arc Welding Conference and Exhibition or the Robotic Arc Welding Seminar to receive this rate. The cutoff date for the $99 rate is January 6, 2004. Space available rates can apply after this date. Reservation must be guaranteed with a first night's deposit along with other conditions. Of course, hotel and travel costs are not included in the conference or seminar fees. Complimentary Disney Park buses are available to and from all Disney Theme Parks. Overnight guests enjoy free parking.

1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd.
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-2202
(800) 624-4109; (407) 828-4444; Fax: (407) 827-6314
To preview the resort and its amenities, go to www.grosvenorresort.com

Special Considerations:
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), AWS strives to accommodate all participants with special needs. If you require assistance, or need further information please inform the AWS Conference Department, 800-443-9353, ext. 449, well in advance of the date of the event.

Refund Policy:
AWS knows your plans can change and offers a flexible refund policy. If you notify AWS at least two weeks before a scheduled seminar that you are unable to attend, you will receive a full refund less a $75 administration/hotel attrition fee. Notification received less than two weeks before a seminar is scheduled will result in a refund less a $175 administration/hotel attrition fee. If you are a no-show, no registration fees will be refunded.

AWS encourages substitutions at any time and will work to reschedule registrants on a space-available basis.

Note: AWS reserves the right to cancel any event in its reasonable discretion. In the event of cancellation by AWS, registration fees will be refunded in full. AWS shall have no further liability.