voestalpine Böhler Welding: Tradition meets Digitization

voestalpine Böhler Welding – a company with a long tradition that has been setting standards in the welding industry for over 100 years – impresses with a broad product portfolio. The company produces high-quality welding consumables, welding equipment, and accessories, and is a leader in areas such as joint welding, repair and build-up welding, as well as brazing and soldering. With more than 40 subsidiaries in 25 countries and over 1,000 distribution partners, voestalpine Böhler Welding is a global player that supports its customers with innovative and tailored solutions.

However, digitalization also presents major challenges for traditionally rooted industries. The integration of Industry 4.0 technologies – such as connected systems, real-time data analysis, and AI-supported data processing – promises significant optimization of production processes and quality assurance. On the other hand, this transformation requires high investments in modern IT infrastructures and continuous training of specialists. In particular, balancing proven practices with the introduction of new digital solutions involves risks such as data protection concerns and cybersecurity challenges. It is precisely in this field of tension that RISC Software GmbH has been supporting voestalpine Böhler Welding since 2018 with its expertise in “Digital Product Development”.

Long-term support for digital transformation

The focus of the collaboration has always been on implementing digital welding solutions in industrial environments. The support provided by RISC Software GmbH in digitizing technological knowledge, capturing large volumes of data, linking with existing digital productivity systems, and expanding the product portfolio at the client is the basis for voestalpine Böhler Welding to now fully implement the Industry 4.0 approach in welding technology.

With our contribution, we were able to help Böhler Welding launch the digital platform “weldNet®”, which modernizes and digitally maps central processes in welding technology. It brings together various web-based applications that enable welding engineers, technologists, and other professionals to work faster, more accurately, and more efficiently. Two of the core components are the weldNet® Material Manager and the weldNet® Equipment Configurator – each offering specific benefits and added value to customers:

weldNet® Material Manager

The Material Manager is a web-based tool that provides access to a comprehensive, continuously updated database of materials and standards. With over 35,000 base materials – more than 24,000 of which include chemical analyses – professionals can quickly and precisely find the right base material. Additionally, matching welding consumables and valid standards (e.g., DIN, EN, ISO, AWS) are displayed, significantly simplifying the creation and updating of welding procedure specifications (WPS).

Customer Benefits and Added Value:

• Efficiency & time savings: Thanks to intelligent search algorithms, the Material Manager delivers precise results in real time, enabling quick and accurate material selection.
• Reliability & quality: The continuously updated database ensures that all information – from chemical compositions to valid standards – is up-to-date and reliable.
• Optimized decision-making: By directly comparing material designations, properties, and standard classifications, the tool supports well-founded decisions, leading to improved welding quality.
• High flexibility & availability: As a cloud-based solution, the Material Manager is accessible 24/7 from any internet-enabled device (PC, tablet, smartphone) – ideal for professionals on the go.

weldNet® Equipment Configurator

The Equipment Configurator allows welding machines to be individually assembled. The tool enables all components – from the power source and welding torch to cooling, wire feed, and other accessories – to be precisely tailored to specific requirements and applications. The application supports the entire ordering process by suggesting optimal configurations and even offering saved settings for reuse.

Customer Benefits and Added Value:

• Customized solutions & individuality: The Configurator allows each welding machine to be precisely configured to the specific needs and conditions of use, resulting in optimal machine performance.
• Ease of use & process optimization: Thanks to the intuitive user interface, configurations can be quickly created, saved, and reused – simplifying planning and significantly speeding up the ordering process.
• Transparency & security: A clear overview of all components and their compatibility reduces misconfigurations and minimizes risks in the production chain.
• Flexibility & constant access: As an online application, the Equipment Configurator can be used anytime and anywhere, which is especially advantageous for time-critical projects.

Both applications increase efficiency, support informed decision-making, and contribute significantly to higher quality and cost-effectiveness in welding practice.