Columbus, Ohio-based Path Robotics and ALM Positioners in Rock Island have forged a partnership to transform industrial positioning systems into fully autonomous, AI-powered welding solutions. In a joint news release Wednesday, April 30, the two Midwest companies announced a multi-year strategic partnership aimed at bringing intelligent, AI-powered automation to manufacturers. The alignment comes as manufacturers […]
Already a subscriber? Log in
Want to Read More?
Get immediate, unlimited access to all subscriber content and much more.
Learn more in our subscriber FAQ.
- Unparalleled business coverage of the Iowa City / Cedar Rapids corridor.
- Immediate access to subscriber-only content on our website.
- 52 issues per year delivered digitally, in print or both.
- Support locally owned and operated journalism.
Columbus, Ohio-based Path Robotics and ALM Positioners in Rock Island have forged a partnership to transform industrial positioning systems into fully autonomous, AI-powered welding solutions.
In a joint news release Wednesday, April 30, the two Midwest companies announced a multi-year strategic partnership aimed at bringing intelligent, AI-powered automation to manufacturers. The alignment comes as manufacturers struggle with a shortage of skilled labor and increased demands.
The collaboration, the companies said, will provide manufacturers with cutting-edge hardware and software integration to tackle their most complex welding challenges.
ALM Positioners, located in southwest Rock Island, is a leading manufacturer of innovative positioning equipment for use in manufacturing and welding operations.
As part of the agreement, ALM Positioners has been named Path Robotics’ Preferred Positioner Partner – the first-ever designation of its kind.
“ALM is the perfect hardware partner for Path as we expand across North America,” Andy Lonsberry, CEO and co-founder of Path Robotics, said in the release. “ALM’s teams and products are best in class and known across the industries we serve. For years, we have seen ALM’s products on shop floors across the United States and admired the brand they have built in the positioning market.”
Path Robotics develops state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision systems to make industrial robots intelligent.
“Together, we’ll be able to bring even more innovative solutions to our customers,” Mr. Lonsberry added.
New manufacturing solutions
According to the ALM-Path release, the partnership expands the companies’ long-standing relationship, ensuring that AI-powered robotics and intelligent positioning technology work seamlessly together to improve accuracy and accelerate throughput in industrial automation. Industries including heavy equipment, trailer manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and agriculture face increasing pressure to deliver high-quality, customized products at scale. These sectors face common hurdles: shortages of skilled welders, high part variability, and demand for faster lead times. But the new partners said that traditional automation solutions often fall short in these complex, variable environments. In fact, the American Welding Society projects a shortage of 330,000 welders by 2028. The ALM-Path partnership offers a solution that addresses these pain points with intelligent automation designed for high-mix, multi-pass welding with extreme part variability. The combined system, based on Path Robotics AW3 and ALM Positioners, intelligently adapts to each part and weld path without reprogramming, making automation viable where it previously wasn’t. Their integrated system learns and adapts on the fly, making robotic welding viable for even the most complex parts.‘Industry game changer’
“Path’s technology is changing the way manufacturers view automation,” Pat Pollock, the president & CEO of ALM Positioners, said in the release. “Their AI-driven solutions allow manufacturers to take advantage of the quality, throughput, and consistency of robotic welding, without all the programming and application challenges associated with traditional robotic automation.” Mr. Pollock added: “Path’s technology, along with their transformational robots-as-a-service model, is an industry game changer. We are proud that they have chosen ALM as their positioner partner, and we are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with such a forward-thinking company.” Manufacturers and others interested in learning more about AI-powered welding are encouraged to see the new solution by:- Stopping at the Path Robotics booth at The Automate Conference in Detroit, Booth #8420, from Monday to Thursday, May 12-15.
- Schedule a meeting at Automate. The conference offers access to automation experts who know how to implement, optimize and expand automation.
- Or learn more here about the ALM-Path collaboration here.
