For years, ATD has been known as a trusted metal stamping partner. But for many customers managing complex stamped components and sub-assemblies, stamping is only one part of the production process.
Parts may still require welding, joining, assembly, inspection and other secondary operations before they are ready for delivery. Historically, those steps often meant additional suppliers, more handoffs and more opportunities for delays, communication gaps or quality inconsistencies.
ATD is changing that equation by expanding its Value-Added Services with new in-house welding and robotic cell capabilities. These investments allow customers to keep more of their production process coordinated with one manufacturing partner while improving consistency, visibility and control. By combining metal stamping with Value-Added Services, ATD can help customers simplify complex projects from production through final delivery.
ATD’s expanded robotic welding capabilities are not simply about adding robots to the production floor. The real value comes from fully integrating automation into the manufacturing process.
By building robotics directly into ATD’s processes, the team can incorporate meaningful poka-yokes and other safeguards that improve operator safety, strengthen quality control and create work that is easier and less physically demanding for operators. Instead of spending time on repetitive manual tasks, operators can focus more on part quality and their core responsibilities.
This approach allows manufacturing automation to support the broader production process, creating more predictable outcomes while maintaining the flexibility customers need for complex stamped components and sub-assemblies.
One example of this impact is ATD’s new center beam welder cell. The large galvanized component requires six weld nuts: four on one side and two on the other. Previously, this was a manual, labor-intensive operation completed one weld nut at a time.
The manual process required operators to position each nut, complete the welds, and verify the finished part through visual inspection and thread gauging. Beyond being slower, the process introduced additional variables around positioning, consistency and operator fatigue.
In the automated process, the operator’s role is focused on keeping the conveyor supplied and the exit table cleared. A camera verifies that each part is oriented correctly as it enters the cell. From there, a 6-axis robot picks up the part, brings it to the welder, completes the first four weld nuts, flips the part while the weld head repositions and completes the remaining two welds.
A final poka-yoke fixture confirms nut presence and hole location. If a part does not meet requirements, it is contained within the cell rather than moving forward in production.
The difference is significant. The previous manual process produced approximately four parts per hour. The automated cell produces more than 120 parts per hour with improved consistency, enhanced safety and a more controlled process. This application demonstrates how purpose-built robotic welding cells can improve throughput without sacrificing quality.
ATD’s welding and robotic capabilities are designed for stamped components and sub-assemblies that require additional manufacturing steps before final delivery.
Common applications include:
For customers, this creates an opportunity to simplify their supply chain by reducing the number of outside vendors involved in production. Instead of coordinating stamping with separate welding, assembly, or inspection suppliers, customers can work with ATD to manage more of the process internally.
ATD’s robotic welding cells also provide the repeatability needed for complex parts that require consistent joining, positioning and inspection.
The biggest advantage of bringing welding and automation capabilities in-house starts with quality, followed by efficiency and supply chain simplification.
Quality comes first. When stamping, welding, assembly and inspection processes are connected within the same manufacturing environment, ATD has greater visibility and control over the entire production process. Built-in quality checks, repeatable processes and consistent standards help identify issues earlier and reduce variation.
Efficiency follows naturally. Automated processes create more predictable cycle times, improve throughput and allow operators to focus on higher-value responsibilities rather than repetitive manual tasks. Effective manufacturing automation also helps ATD create more consistent workflows across multiple production stages.
From there, supply chain simplification becomes a natural benefit. Customers can reduce outside vendor handoffs, minimize transportation between facilities and work with one manufacturing partner responsible for more of the overall process. ATD’s expanded Value-Added Services help bring those operations together under one coordinated production plan.
ATD’s investment in robotics extends beyond welding. The company also operates robotic systems that move individual parts through multi-stage stamping operations, allowing complex processes to be completed with fewer manual touchpoints.
These systems help improve repeatability, increase throughput and create more consistent production outcomes while reducing manual handling. By applying manufacturing automation where it delivers measurable value, ATD can support safer operations and more reliable production.
The goal is not automation for automation’s sake. It is using technology to create a safer, more reliable and more capable manufacturing process.
Having these capabilities in-house also changes the way ATD approaches new projects.
Robotic welding and automated handling systems provide valuable production data, including cycle times and throughput expectations, earlier in the quoting and feasibility process. That insight helps customers and ATD align on the right manufacturing approach before production begins.
Instead of discovering process limitations after launch, teams can evaluate manufacturability, timing and quality requirements upfront. Planning for robotic welding cells early in the process can also help determine the right part flow, inspection requirements and production layout before equipment is built.
ATD’s investment in welding and robotics reflects a broader commitment: helping customers solve increasingly complex manufacturing challenges.
Whether that means adding equipment to improve efficiency, developing a custom robotic cell for a demanding application or expanding capabilities to support a customer’s changing needs, ATD continues to invest in the processes and technology required to support long-term partnerships.
Through its growing range of Value-Added Services, ATD can support more of each project while helping customers reduce complexity and maintain quality.
The goal is simple: create better manufacturing solutions that support ATD’s customers and the companies they serve.
If your team is managing stamped components that require welding, assembly or other secondary operations, ATD’s expanded Value-Added Services can help reduce vendor handoffs and improve control over quality and timelines.
Request a quote to discuss your next complex stamping, welding or assembly project with ATD.