Frequently Asked Questions

Robots can be complicated. Working with us isn’t.

We built this FAQ to give manufacturers like you a clear picture of how Colewell shows up, solves problems, and supports your team—whether it’s your first cell or your fifth.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this the right partner?” this is a good place to start.

  • We design, build, install, and support turnkey robotic systems that make your operations simpler, faster, and stronger—from welding to machine tending to bin picking/packing. We’re a FANUC Authorized Systems Integrator and Lincoln Electric Authorized Robotic Integrator serving the Midwest and beyond.

  • Yes. Many of our best results are with first‑time automation buyers—we bring a “BS‑Free Process” from discovery through training so your team owns the system from Day 1.

  • Our seven‑step delivery is built to remove headaches:

    • Discover → Design → Propose → Build → Integrate & Test (FAT) → Train & Handover → Support & Grow.

    • Proposals include scope, budget, timeline, and ROI analysis.

  • We offer fast, friendly service—our central Midwest location makes onsite support quick.

    We provide 24/7 customer service (phone support during working hours and on‑call engineering after hours).

  • Yes. “Whether we installed it or not, if it’s FANUC, we can help.”

    You can request Emergency Down, Training, PMs, or Programming Support—we commit to reply within one business day.

  • We’re a FANUC specialist with deep Lincoln Electric welding expertise.

    We also engineer cells with leading weld peripherals (e.g., seam tracking, reamers, wire cutters) and end‑of‑arm tooling from trusted partners (e.g., SCHUNK)—selecting components that match your quality and throughput goals.

  • Yes. We use simulation and ROI modeling during design to validate feasibility, cycle time, and payback before you green‑light the project.

    • Welding: One cell moved from 5 welders / 2 weeks to 2 people / 3 days for the same output.

    • Machine tending: Output increased from ~200 tires/day to ~500/day, with better ergonomics.

    • External validation: FANUC’s case study highlights production gains and quality improvements at Hutchison, delivered by Colewell.

  • We perform risk‑aware designs with appropriate guarding, safety circuits, light curtains, and e‑stops; we train your team on safe operations and provide documentation at handover. (Standards and plant rules vary—your proposal lists the safety measures included.)

  • Yes. We train operators and maintenance staff so you can run independently from Day 1. You’ll get SOPs, HMI recipes, and maintenance guidance; we remain available for optimization and upgrades.

  • We design for scalability and changeovers—parametric programming, recipe‑based HMIs, and modular fixtures let you adapt faster; we can add vision or tooling to expand capability over time.

  • Yes. We implement 3D vision for random bin picking, part identification, orientation, and quality checks—even with mixed shapes, surface finishes, or variable bin placements.

  • Beyond the robot, we spec fixturing, peripherals (e.g., reamers, laser/seam tracking, push‑pull guns), HMI, and guarding—tuned to your materials, tolerances, and weld processes (MIG/TIG/spot/drawn arc)

  • As a FANUC‑certified integrator, we’re pre‑approved for FANUC repairs and stock required spare parts to reduce downtime and speed emergency response.

  • Every system is custom to your parts, takt time, and QA targets.

    Call us at (515) 321‑7106 for a ballpark and we’ll refine scope, timeline, and ROI in a formal proposal.

    Get a Quote

  • Typical first pass: current cycle time, target throughput, part CAD/prints, photos/video, tolerances, floorplan/utility specs, and any safety/compliance requirements. We can visit onsite during Discover to gather data.

  • Lead time depends on scope, fixtures, and supply chain.

    We give a clear timeline in your proposal and update it as we pass Build → FAT → Install → Go‑Live.

  • Absolutely—Service & Maintenance, PMs, Programming Support, and Emergency Down options are available. Submit a support request and we’ll respond within one business day (faster by phone for urgent issues).

  • We primarily serve Midwest manufacturers and travel onsite quickly from Iowa; we also support customers beyond the Midwest as projects require.

  • Yes—our Success Storiesinclude reshoring that cut lead times dramatically and multi‑cell expansions; we can assess where automation returns value first.

  • Our focus is safety, quality, and better use of your talent—robots handle repetitive/hazardous tasks, while your team runs higher‑value work.

  • That’s our sweet spot—custom solutions for tough problems. If it helps you hit your metrics, we’ll figure out the fixturing, motion, sensors, and programming to make it work. Challenge accepted.

  • Contact Usfor a ballpark and fit check.

    We’ll schedule Discover (onsite or virtual), then deliver a transparent proposal with ROI and timeline.

    From there: Build → FAT → Install → Train → Support.