Innovation
Pioneering is a state-of-mind – now and 25 years ago
11 September 2018
Experimenting with different ideas, fast and small, then scaling up boldly and even faster - this is my experience of pioneering after a couple of months as Chief Digital Officer at Kemppi. Experimenting was present at Kemppi already 25 years ago, when we developed a new, numeric way to manage arc characteristics and invented the first digital welding power source in the world.
Juhana Enqvist
Nobody could have imagined that managing the quality of arc welding could be done that fast, precisely and in real time. However, other major welding management breakthroughs were still yet to come.
A lot has happened since those days in the 1990s. We put a lot of effort into improving the management of weld quality and were able to reduce the amount of post-welding work with our optimized special processes also known as Wise software. Our portable MinarcMig welding equipment presented adaptive arc to the manual welding market. Design-thinking and user experience were integrated to our product development. As the latest industry disruptor, X8 MIG Welder, the most advanced multi-process welding equipment with digital WPS function was launched in 2017.
Connected welding management is here to stay
Today, the cloud is a default in digital welding management. The development of cloud services has been exponential, especially in the last couple of years. These days, the cloud is a key enabler of connected, measurable welding management. Kemppi's response to that need is WeldEye, a universal welding management software.
The need for cloud services reflects the changes in global welding production. Supply chains have become more complex and decentralized, the workforce more liquid and less experienced, and welded constructions more demanding than before. Robots take care of controlled serial welding.
Of course, we haven't stopped here. We already have new innovations on the way in the areas of maintenance and support. We are experimenting with augmented reality and different user interfaces to further provide optimal support for welders in their work. We will continue to co-create with our end customers in the areas of shipbuilding, oil and gas, and other welding-related industries.
Digital never stops!
If you would like a taste of pioneering, activate your free 14-day trial period of the WeldEye for Welding Procedure and Qualification Management module, enabling efficient and easy management of welding procedures and personnel qualifications. Why not give the new way of welding management a try?
Juhana Enqvist
Former Chief Digital Officer at Kemppi Oy. Nowdays working at Kempower. Solid professional on all things digital with over 20 years of experience in software products. Passionate about finding and building digital solutions to solve problems that customers might not even know they have!
Related products
Product family
A welding function for ensured penetration in synergic MIG/MAG welding.
Product family
A welding function specially designed to tackle the challenges of globular transfer. WiseSteel alternates short arc transfer with spray transfer, which produces sound welds characterized by a regular fish-scale pattern.
Product family
WiseFusion optimized welding function produces a very narrow and energy dense welding arc making welding faster and heat input lower.
More blog posts
Can you afford to ignore the value of welding knowledge?
The welding production chain is complex. Besides the actual welding work, one has to consider resource planning, welding procedure and qualification management, documentation, WPS compliance, standardization and requirements.
Digitalization
Digitalization has marked Kari Kemppi's eventful career
Kari Kemppi, who just retired this summer, has seen in his 40 years of work how an arc welding equipment manufacturing company founded by his uncle Martti Kemppi has become an international pioneer in the welding industry.
People
How insight creates value in welding management
As the digital transformation marches onward, the question of how to succeed in the changing world is on the agenda of every company. The answer standing out from a plethora of opinions is Connected Business – as well described in the HBR. Companies are enhancing cross-team collaboration, focusing on user experience, taking advantage of new technology and breaking down organization silos to reap the full benefits of connectivity. Connected Business is an effective combination of business and IT driving transformation together.
Digitalization
Eila Hiltunen – The Poetry of Material
Eila Hiltunen (1922–2003) was one of the most internationally renowned Finnish sculptors of her time. She extensively used welding in her artworks, a technique she mastered in the late 1950s.
People
Expert insights: Choosing welding helmets and respiratory protection – prioritizing safety over cost
Selecting the right welding helmet and respiratory protection system is crucial for protecting welders in high-risk environments. While cost may factor into decisions, the need for effective, high-quality protection should always come first.
Safety, People
How does steel welding benefit from special processes?
Welding mild steels may often be considered a simple task. However, welding these steels has specific characteristics that can make the welding process challenging.
Manual welding, Welding ABC
