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Welding is one of the most common applications for collaborative robots, and for good reason — skilled welders are increasingly hard to find, the work is physically demanding and hazardous, and the repetitive nature of many welding tasks makes them ideal for automation. The challenge for small welding shops has always been cost: a dedicated robotic welding cell traditionally starts at $100,000+.
Chinese cobots are changing that equation. A capable welding cobot can now be deployed for $35,000-$50,000 all-in — roughly half the cost of equivalent Western setups.
What a welding cobot needs
Not every cobot is suited for welding. The key requirements are higher payload to carry the welding torch and wire feeder (typically 5-10kg combined), sufficient reach to cover the workpiece (1000mm+ for most applications), adequate repeatability for weld quality (±0.05mm is sufficient for most structural welding, ±0.03mm for precision work), and IP54 or better protection against spatter, heat, and fumes.
Top picks for welding automation
Best value: DOBOT CR10A — $33,380
The CR10A hits the sweet spot for welding: 10kg payload comfortably handles any welding torch setup, 1300mm reach covers standard welding tables and fixtures, and ±0.03mm repeatability ensures consistent weld quality. IP54 protection handles the welding environment. DOBOT offers welding-specific application packages and has deployed welding cells in automotive parts manufacturing.
At $33,380 for the robot arm, budget approximately $15,000-$20,000 for the welding power source, torch, fixtures, and integration — putting a complete cell at $48,000-$53,000.
For heavy fabrication: DOBOT CR20A — $40,800
When welding larger structures requiring extended reach, the CR20A's 20kg payload and 1700mm reach provide the workspace needed. The ±0.05mm repeatability is adequate for structural welding where aesthetic quality matters less than penetration and strength.
For light welding: DOBOT CR5A — $24,320
Smaller welding applications — thin sheet metal, electronics enclosures, small brackets — don't need 10kg payload. The CR5A at $24,320 handles lightweight MIG and TIG torches with superior ±0.02mm precision, producing cleaner welds on thin materials.
Setup considerations for small shops
Welding torch selection matters enormously. Water-cooled torches are recommended for production welding to prevent heat buildup. Air-cooled torches work for intermittent use. Budget $3,000-$8,000 for a robot-rated welding torch.
Fixturing is often the most underestimated cost. Consistent weld quality requires consistent part positioning. Simple fixture designs work with cobot drag-teach programming — place the part, teach the path, repeat.
Fume extraction is mandatory. Welding cobots don't eliminate the need for proper ventilation — they just move the welder (now a robot) closer to the work, potentially concentrating fumes in a smaller area.
Programming approach: DOBOT's drag-teach makes welding path programming intuitive. A skilled welder can teach the robot their welding technique by physically guiding the arm through the path. The cobot then reproduces the motion with machine-perfect consistency, shift after shift.
The bottom line
The DOBOT CR10A at $33,380 is the best starting point for most small welding shops entering automation. Combined with a welding package, you're looking at roughly $50,000 for a complete cell — half what a comparable UR10e setup would cost. Start with your highest-volume, most repetitive weld and prove the concept before expanding.
Robots Mentioned in This Guide
Quick-access cards for every robot referenced above.