Implementering av automatiseradsvetsteknik : En kvalitativ fallstudie

Sammanfattning: The degree projects purpose is to explore, analyze and explainwhat quality improvements robotic welding can bring to a company’soperations. The study was carried out as a qualitative case studywith an inductive approach. Together with established theoriesfrom TQM and change management, research of manually performed andautomated welding technology, and requirements from ISO standardshas been used to corroborate the requirements and changes that thewelding company are facing. As method for data collectioninterviews, document studies and benchmarking has been conductedin order to analyze the possible quality improvements the companycan achieve by changing parts of their manufacturing system frommanually to automated welding processes. The result of the studyshows that the company is experiencing inefficiency as aconsequence of the workflow in the existing workshop. The companyare at the planning stage of building av new workshop, where thenew workshop together with implementation of automated weldingprocesses can raise new opportunities and simplify the work forthe coworkers which also can reduce safety hazards. The conclusionof the degree project show that the employees who will be affectedby the implementation are aware of, and they have a positiveattitude to the change process as they will get better knowledgeand expertise due to courses required to operate the robot. Thecompany’s management system must be revised in order to adapt tothe new working methods. In relation to the installations that thecompany delivers, the installations may experience improvedwelding quality and the installations lead time will be reduced.The degree project highlights the importance of planning and thatboth the change and implementation process require structure andcontrol.