NOVI, MI, Sep 5, 2025 – Universal Robots will showcase new cobot solutions at FABTECH 2025 in Chicago, IL, Sept. 8-11. The company will focus on fabrication automation technologies developed for welding and metalworking operations.
“Cobot welding continues to evolve at a rapid speed,” said Jean-Pierre Hathout, president of Universal Robots. “Eight years ago, we introduced North America’s first cobot welder at FABTECH 2017, performing straight MIG-welds. Today, new robot control features combined with the innovation of our partner ecosystem continue to push the envelope, handling applications that few believed possible just a handful of years back. This event is the perfect platform to experience how UR robots are transforming the entire fabrication workflow.”
FABTECH Attendees First to Discover New UR Robot
The UR President previewed a new robot to meet the challenges in welding with reach, stability, and precision.
“Designed to excel under pressure – whether on long seams, complex parts, or repetitive passes – this new model will showcase how UR robots are not just keeping pace with industry demands but setting the benchmark for what’s possible,” said Hathout, adding that the new robot will make its global debut in both UR’s own FABTECH booth #B13045, and in the booths of partners Hirebotics, THG Automation, and Vectis Automation.
The UR president also highlighted new plasma cutting and laser welding applications, highlighting the rugged and fabrication tasks that Universal Robots handle.
Automated Plasma Cutting Delivers Weld-Ready Parts
Automated plasma cutting is used with cobots to improve welding accuracy. Manual cutting can leave uneven edges that slow down welding, while robotic cutting provides uniform parts that fit into automated welding processes. At booth #B13051, Hirebotics will introduce its cobot plasma cutter, which cuts steel, stainless steel and aluminium without additional manual rework. Hirebotics will also show multipass welding, through-the-arc seam tracking and AI-based weld setting recommendations.
Vectis Automation will feature the Vectis Shape Tool at booth #B13031, a system for cutting complex shapes on curved surfaces. The Clarity dashboard captures production metrics, and the software delivers weave patterns and AI-based path optimization for wrap and transition jobs.
Cobot Laser Welding Goes Mainstream
Laser welding with cobots is gaining wider use as improvements in control software, safety engineering and fiber laser costs address earlier concerns. At booth #B13053, THG Automation will show its URW-2LF laser welding system, which combines a UR robot with an IPG fiber laser. The system is designed for welding with reduced heat distortion and includes laser-based pre-cleaning and discoloration removal to support part quality and workflow efficiency.
Versatile Grinding, Finishing, and Handling
At UR’s booth, PushCorp will pair a UR30 robot with the STC2002 servo spindle and the AFD120 device. The setup automates surface finishing and adapts to part irregularities. Ferrobotics will show its cobot active force control (ACK-F) for robots with payloads of 8 kilograms and above. The demo cell runs on UR robots and lets users program up to 15 finishing tools on site.
The UR15 will feature Schmalz’s new FMG matrix area gripper, an automated tool for flat, suctionable parts. It includes an air-saving function that can reduce compressed air use by up to 80%, suitable for sheet metal production.
Attendees will see demos, take part in networking, and hear insights on the future of fabrication. Will Healy III, Teradyne Robotics’ global head for metal fabrication, will also give presentations as part of the FABTECH conference schedule.
Monday, Sep 8
- Introduction to Automation Technology – A Practical Guide to Learning & Implementing Automation on the Shop Floor (8:30–9:30am)
Wednesday, Sep 10
- Challenging Industrial Welding Automation & Fabrication Paradigms with Cobots (8:30–9:30am)
- How Artificial Intelligence & Automation Are Impacting Metal Fabrication from the Office to the Shop Floor and Everywhere In-Between (10:00–11:00am)
- The Impact of Automation & AI in Metal Stamping: Real Transformations of Business Management, Manufacturing Processes & Machines (3:00–4:00pm)
Source: Universal Robots
About Universal Robots
Universal Robots, founded in 2005 in Odense, Denmark, is a manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots) designed to work alongside humans in industrial settings. The company offers a range of robotic arms, including the UR3e, UR5e, UR10e, UR16e, UR20, and UR30 models, each tailored for tasks such as assembly, machine tending, packaging, and quality inspection. The cobots are utilized across various industries, including automotive, electronics, metal fabrication, and healthcare. In 2023, Universal Robots reported an annual revenue of $304 million, reflecting its significant presence in the automation sector. The company employs over 1,000 people globally and has expanded its footprint with offices in over 20 countries, providing localized support and services to its customers.
About FABTECH 2025
FABTECH is North America’s largest trade show for metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing. The event, held annually for more than 40 years, features technology demonstrations, education programs and networking opportunities. The show draws more than 60,000 visitors from over 90 countries and hosts more than 1,500 exhibitors, ranging from small job shops to global manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, agriculture, construction and defense. The 2024 show in Orlando drew nearly 30,000 attendees, featured 1,531 exhibitors and covered 746,800 square feet of exhibit space. It also included more than 500 speakers and generated more than 149,000 qualified leads. FABTECH is presented by the American Welding Society, Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, SME, Precision Metalforming Association and the Chemical Coaters Association International. The organization is based in the United States and rotates locations.