At the international Mesic 2025 conference held in Bilbao from June 18 to 20, Tekniker, as an official sponsor, showcased the outcomes of its R&D initiatives. These projects focus on the application of laser technology to endow surfaces with specific functional properties, unlocking a wide array of possibilities across various industrial fields.

One of the highlights was the presentation of a laser-textured surface developed under the Infunda project, supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. This surface demonstrates easy-to-clean properties, making it an especially promising solution for sectors where hygiene and contamination resistance are critical, such as agriculture and healthcare. The Infunda project also confirmed the industrial viability of using ultra-short pulse lasers for texturing, a cutting-edge technology that could revolutionize the large-scale production of polymer containers in the food and automotive industries.

Julen Molinuevo, a researcher at Tekniker, emphasized the innovative potential of this technology in transferring functional textures onto three-dimensional parts with complex geometries. This capability significantly broadens the scope of laser texturing applications, allowing the customization of texture types and dimensions to suit specific requirements. Examples include surfaces engineered with anti-icing or antibacterial properties—essential for improving safety and performance in demanding environments.

Tekniker’s developments in laser texturing represent a major leap in advancing industrial processes. By delivering solutions that go beyond mere surface aesthetics, this technology exemplifies how research and innovation in robotics and advanced materials are laying the foundation for a smarter, more efficient, and future-ready era of industrial manufacturing.

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Collaborative Welding: Flexibility Meets Automation

Collaborative robots, or cobots, are designed to work safely alongside humans without the need for safety fences or enclosures—under controlled conditions. They are particularly well-suited for companies seeking a gradual transition to automation, especially those with low to medium production volumes.

One of the main advantages of cobots is their ease of programming and reconfiguration. Thanks to intuitive interfaces and manual teaching systems, even operators with no prior experience in robotics can quickly learn to use them. This makes it easy to adapt the welding cell to different parts and tasks with minimal changeover time.

Cobots also have a compact footprint and can be easily integrated into existing workshops. They are an ideal solution for manufacturers of custom metal structures, short production runs, maintenance work, or on-demand manufacturing.

Industrial Welding: High-Volume Precision and Productivity

On the other hand, when it comes to repetitive welding processes with high technical demands and large-scale production, industrial robots remain the most efficient option. Equipped with high-load, high-speed, and high-precision arms, these robots are built for continuous operation with minimal downtime.

These systems require a more robust infrastructure, including safety enclosures, offline programming, positioning tools, and often sensors or vision systems. However, the return on investment is justified by the consistency, quality, and productivity they deliver—especially in industries such as automotive, heavy machinery, and mass production.

Which Solution Should You Choose?

The decision between a collaborative or industrial welding robot depends on several factors: production volume, available space, need for flexibility, budget, and staff expertise.

If your company needs a versatile, easy-to-deploy solution with low risk, a welding cobot is an excellent entry point into automation.
If your environment demands sustained performance, extreme precision, and efficiency in large batches, industrial robotic welding is the better choice.
In both cases, the key is to align the robotic solution with your production goals, the types of parts to be welded, and your company’s growth strategy. When implemented correctly, robotics not only enhances the welding process but also boosts competitiveness and adaptability in the face of evolving market challenges.

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The Motoman NEXT uses an AI-based vision system that allows it to identify and classify items in real-time. Equipped with the NVIDIA Jetson Orin platform and Wind River Linux operating system, this robot can perform edge computing data analysis, facilitating quick and precise decision-making. Additionally, it features an autonomous control unit that allows it to adjust its operational strategy according to environmental conditions, reducing the need for human intervention and improving operational efficiency.

The Motoman NEXT series offers models with load capacities ranging from 4 kg to 35 kg, making it suitable for a wide range of industrial applications. These models have been designed to operate in sectors such as automotive, food and beverage, logistics, and more, addressing traditional challenges like variability in the shape and size of objects.

Success Stories

In the logistics sector, leading companies have implemented the Motoman NEXT to automate sorting processes in high-turnover warehouses. One example is the use of the robot in distribution centers of large retail chains, where it has demonstrated a 30% reduction in picking errors and a 40% increase in process speed. The robot's ability to adapt to the presence of obstacles and change its trajectory in real-time has allowed companies to significantly improve their efficiency without compromising accuracy.

Another notable case is in the food industry, where the Motoman NEXT has been implemented for the selection and packaging of fresh products. Thanks to its vision system and adaptability, the robot can identify and classify products of different sizes and shapes, ensuring optimal packaging and minimizing waste.

The integration of intelligent robots like the Motoman NEXT can transform your company's operations, providing unprecedented efficiency and adaptability. If you are looking to optimize your picking and sorting processes with advanced robotic solutions, contact a Yaskawa expert for a personalized consultation and discover how this technology can take your production to the next level.

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