TURN 230 S turntable

In orbital welding, the welding torch automatically rotates around a stationary workpiece, most commonly a tube. The welding process is fully automated and follows a predefined, reproducible sequence.

In turntable welding (or welding with a welding positioner), the torch remains in a fixed position while the workpiece rotates using a turntable or positioner. The rotation of the component allows the weld seam to be produced evenly around its entire circumference.

Both methods pursue the same goal: creating a uniform, high-quality circumferential weld. However, they achieve this using different technical principles.

In orbital welding, the workpiece remains stationary while the welding torch automatically rotates around it.

This principle is primarily used where the component cannot be moved or can only be moved with considerable effort, or where maximum process reliability is required.

Typical applications of orbital welding include:

• Thin-walled tubes
• Permanently installed piping systems
• Media-carrying systems, for example in the process, pharmaceutical, and food industries

The rotating torch offers several advantages:

• Constant welding parameters throughout the entire weld seam
• Very high weld reproducibility
• Minimal operator influence and therefore high process reliability

As a result, orbital welding is particularly suitable for serial production processes with demanding quality, documentation, and repeatability requirements, where consistent results are essential.

In turntable welding, the workpiece is rotated in a controlled manner while the welding torch remains in a fixed position.

This method is used when the component is rotationally symmetrical and can be safely clamped and rotated.

Typical applications include:

• Prefabricated components such as tubes, flanges, or cylindrical parts
• Compact assemblies and apparatus components
• Workpieces with a tube diameter from OD 10 to 230 mm and a maximum weight of 50 kg in a horizontal position, which can be securely clamped and rotated around the torch using the TURN 230 S welding positioner

The rotation of the workpiece enables:

• A uniform circumferential weld in a constant welding position
• High flexibility regarding component geometries and batch sizes
• The use of various welding processes, either manual or semi-automated

The TURN 230 S welding positioner is therefore particularly suitable for flexible manufacturing environments, single-part and small-batch production, or wherever a cost-effective alternative to fully automated orbital welding processes is required.

Advantages of orbital welding include:

• Very high repeatability
• Minimal operator influence
• Consistent and fully documentable weld quality
• Ideal for quality-critical tube welding applications

Potential disadvantages include:

• Higher initial investment costs
• Less flexibility when frequently changing component types
• More limitations regarding component sizes and geometries

Advantages of a turntable system:

• High flexibility regarding components and dimensions
• Suitable for heavy and massive workpieces
• Comparatively easy integration into existing processes
• Economical for single-part or small-batch production

Possible disadvantages:

• Greater dependence on the operator in manual processes
• Lower reproducibility compared to fully automated orbital welding systems

Component geometry is a decisive factor:

• Small, thin-walled tubes with standardized dimensions → orbital welding
• Large, heavy, or complex components → welding with a turntable system

We help you analyze the planned application at an early stage in order to select the appropriate technology.

In many industrial production environments, two different requirements exist in parallel:

• automated orbital welding for series components with high quality and documentation requirements
• flexible welding options for special or small-series components that are not suitable for orbital welding

A combination of the EVO orbital welding system and the TURN 230 S turntable system is a sensible solution when both requirements need to be covered within one production environment without using separate, independent systems.

The EVO system provides the control platform for reproducible and documentable orbital welding processes. The TURN 230 S complements this system by enabling the controlled welding of rotationally symmetrical workpieces that are not suitable for orbital welding. This allows both series production processes and special applications to be implemented using a single, consistent welding concept.

Yes. The EVO orbital welding system is designed to control different welding tools, including:

• closed orbital weld heads
• open orbital weld heads
• turntable systems such as the TURN 230 S
• tube-to-tubesheet weld heads RBK 38 S / RBK 60 S

This makes it possible to perform various welding tasks using a common control platform, simplifying operation and reducing training requirements.

By using the EVO controller, the following remain possible even in applications involving a turntable system:

• welding parameters remain traceable
• processes remain reproducible
• quality requirements can be implemented consistently

This is particularly advantageous in regulated industries or quality-critical applications, as manual and semi-automated processes can be implemented at a comparable quality level.

The combination of the EVO and the TURN 230 S is particularly suitable for companies that:

• manufacture series components and special components in parallel
• want to combine high quality requirements with flexibility
• want to use their investment as versatilely as possible

Instead of maintaining a separate system for each task, the combined setup enables a continuous welding strategy across different component types.

No. The TURN 230 S is not a replacement for orbital welding, but rather a useful complement. Orbital welding remains the preferred solution for standardized tube connections and series production processes, while the turntable system is used where orbital welding technology reaches geometric or economic limitations.

The combination enables:

• optimal utilization of the orbital welding system
• cost-effective welding of small series and special components
• avoidance of additional standalone systems

This makes it possible to combine automated quality and flexible production without creating unnecessary complexity in the production system structure.