Storth Machinery Ltd

Following the success of Storth’s first cobot welding cell installed in 2020, the company was looking to further expand capacity and flexibility in its fabrication operations. The core challenge lay in being able to handle larger parts and multiple parts within one welding cell, while optimising throughput and retaining the ability to free skilled welders from repetitive tasks.

Storth’s second cobot welding system was installed in 2022 - this time mounted on a Rexroth linear track. The track gives the cobot the ability to travel between two welding tables within the cell, allowing it to work on larger parts and on multiple parts, giving the system more versatility than their first system.

Storth’s second welding system has delivered multiple immediate benefits for Storth.

• Greater versatility - The track-mounted cobot now moves between two welding tables and handles larger work-pieces, giving Storth the ability to weld parts previously unsuitable for the first fixed-table system.
• Increased output - By servicing two tables and accommodating multiple work-pieces per run, the cell’s throughput rose significantly, enabling Storth to take on increased welding volume without proportionately increasing labour.
• Optimised skilled labour - With the cobot handling the more repetitive welding work across the larger parts, skilled welders were freed to focus on more complex fabrication, finishing or value-added tasks.
• Flexible scheduling - The ability to switch between tables and part-types means production is more responsive to demand variability - reducing bottlenecks and supporting Storth’s aim of shorter lead-times and higher delivery reliability.
• Proof of automation roadmap - The success of the first system gave confidence, and this second system further validated Storth’s investment in robotic welding and automation, paving the way for future expansion.

The addition of the second system enhanced Storth’s manufacturing capabilities, supporting larger part fabrication, higher throughput, and more efficient workflow scheduling. Building on this success, the company invested in a third system in 2025 to continue expanding its automation capabilities.