Meet "Big Al"

Al is short for "Almega EX-V6L," the most state-of-the-art robotic welder known to industry, and he's going to help his new employer enhance product quality and improve manufacturing productivity and efficiency all at the same time.

Al was manufactured by OTC Daihen Corporation's Dynamic Robotics Division in Vandalia, OH, a world leader in robot technology systems, and sold and installed by Southland Machine Tool Corp., out of Greenville, SC, which also handled the purchase and installation of Mickey's Amada Punch Press a couple of years ago. The total cost for Al, including his specifically designed quarters in the beverage plant at Mickey's manufacturing complex in High Point; custom fixtures, set up; and training was approximately $250,000.

Initially, Al is being used to weld shelves for bodies and trailers, body wings and body rear bumpers. The weld fixtures used for these parts were manufactured by Automation Services, Inc. in Lawrenceville, GA, which is currently working on "step" fixtures as well. Eventually, Mickey will custom design and manufacture its own fixtures for Al so his workload can expand to other parts, according to Gene Sikes, Mickey's Beverage Manufacturing Manager.