Mobile Automation has recently installed two UR10 CollaborativeRobots in Queensland, Australia, at Rockpress. Rockpress – Rocklea Pressed Metal – has been in business since 1972 and has grown to become one of Brisbane’s most highly-regarded steel fabrication suppliers.
To support an experienced team of highly skilled welders, a Universal Robots UR10 Collaborative robot was installed to assist with the daily fabrication schedule. This initiative aimed to boost efficiency, ease physical strain, and deliver productivity gains across routine welding and fabrication tasks. With some of the team approaching retirement age and the nature of the work becoming increasingly strenuous, the introduction of automation was both a strategic and practical step forward.
The results were immediate. The robot quickly demonstrated its effectiveness, streamlining production without compromising quality. Its success sparked interest among management, who began evaluating further automation opportunities across the site.
Six months after the initial installation of the UR welding robot, a second UR10 cobot was brought online—this one purpose-built for handling larger jobs. Together, the two robots now form a flexible, scalable solution. They can work independently on separate tasks or operate in tandem on the same job, depending on the requirements. The operator’s roles have evolved from performing repetitive manual tasks to programming, maintaining the systems, and overseeing product quality. This has allowed operators to gain valuable skills which will be useful in the evolving automated manufacturing future.
This shift has significantly improved workplace health and safety conditions. By eliminating the need for operators to constantly hold welding torches or maneuver around large fabrications for extended periods, the robots have helped reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) and fatigue. Importantly, automation hasn’t replaced their skills—it’s allowed them to focus on higher-value tasks that demand experience, judgment, and precision.
Following the first robot’s deployment, the client reported a 40% boost in productivity—largely attributed to the robot’s continuous operation. Whilst the robots weld without interruption, the operator simply rotates in new parts, ensuring maximum output with minimal downtime.
Encouraged by these gains, the second robot was installed and quickly integrated. It runs independently of the first, giving the team greater flexibility in managing workload. This not only ensures consistent, high-quality welds but also freed up another worker to take on a specialized hand-welding role. In turn, this added depth to the team’s capabilities while maintaining production output.
Today, the initial robot operator oversees multiple jobs, juggling a wider range of work with increased volume and diversity. The transformation has not gone unnoticed. The client stated enthusiastically, “The gains are obvious—and we have improved in all areas.”