Oliva Torras Boosts Production by 50% With Universal Robots Cobot Integration
- Oliva Torras has equipped its manufacturing facility in Manresa, Barcelona, with a new UR20-1750 collaborative robotic arm from Universal Robots, increasing its production capacity for welding and polishing...
- Sokad Soluciones Mecánicas, a certified integrator for Universal Robots, designed the MIG/MAG welding and automated polishing setup for carbon, aluminum, and stainless steel.
- The setup incorporates an automatic tool changer that lets the robot swap the welding torch for the polishing tool without manual intervention.
Oliva Torras has equipped its manufacturing facility in Manresa, Barcelona, with a new UR20-1750 collaborative robotic arm from Universal Robots, increasing its production capacity for welding and polishing processes by 50%. The deployment allows the family-owned metal component manufacturer to handle larger workpieces measuring between 1.5 and 2 meters, such as metal cabinets and doors, while maintaining a strict balance between manufacturing flexibility and high output.
Integration and Technical Specifications
Sokad Soluciones Mecánicas, a certified integrator for Universal Robots, designed the MIG/MAG welding and automated polishing setup for carbon, aluminum, and stainless steel. The system features a UR20-1750 cobot boasting a 1,750 mm reach, a 25 kg payload capacity, and a compact footprint of just 245 mm, which delivers high-precision motion control. Equipment integrated into the cell includes a Böhler welding torch and wire feeder, a Dynabrade automated polishing tool, and a Robotiq force control system. A rotary table rotates workpieces so the robotic arm can access all welding positions across a range of 2 to 2.5 meters. Installation of the robotic system took one week before welding operations began. Albert Rubirola, operations manager at Sokad, explained that working with Universal Robots simplified the integration of multiple branded technologies. “The fact of working with Universal Robots has made it easier for us to integrate all these technologies of different brands. The URCaps allow us to easily integrate the tools from the robot software and that the operator can operate the diverse technologies using the equipment console,” Rubirola stated.
Operational Efficiency and Workflow Adaptability
The setup incorporates an automatic tool changer that lets the robot swap the welding torch for the polishing tool without manual intervention. Roger Codina, industrialization manager at Oliva Torras, noted the adaptability of the machinery. “The cobots are great because they are easily programmed, so they are not a solution limited to manufacturing a single product,” Codina said. While the cobot performs welding or polishing, a human operator finishes one part or prepares the next, working in parallel while safety interlocks prevent access to the active cell. The manufacturing upgrade supports the company’s focus on small and medium production batches, which typically involve lots of fewer than 100 pieces and two daily program changes. Ferran Selga, general director of the Oliva Torras Metal division, noted that the technology aids workforce development. “The introduction of the cobot will make the staff evolve in their job,” Selga observed, adding that the required training for operating the equipment remains accessible.
Company Background and Growth Strategy
Founded in 1945 in Manresa, Oliva Torras initially operated as a metal component subcontractor for machinery manufacturers before diversifying into six business divisions that develop proprietary engineering projects and products, including automated teller machines, railway interior subassemblies, compressor drive kits, and industrial ventilation parts. Managing the full value chain internally allows the company to oversee metal fabrication, painting, assembly, and final testing. The firm previously deployed a Böhler plug-and-play welding solution utilizing a Universal Robots cobot for small components. After five years of continuous, uninterrupted operation, management pursued further collaborative automation to scale production volumes and shorten lead times for larger components. “When customers ask for an evolution in the quantity of product that we supply them, they need us to be prepared both for short productions and for those that are a bit longer,” Selga detailed.