FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
About Hirebotics
What does Hirebotics do?
Hirebotics provides welding and cutting cobots powered by the Beacon Platform. Our pre-engineered systems are designed for ease of use, fast deployment, and flexibility—enabling small and medium-sized fabricators to compete with larger operations without needing programmers or custom integrators.
What is a collaborative robot (cobot)
A cobot is a collaborative robot designed to safely work alongside humans. Our systems are compact, flexible, and easy to operate—ideal for welding and cutting applications in small to mid-sized shops.
Can the Cobot Cutter cut all metals?
Yes. Any metal that conducts electricity can be plasma cut, which covers virtually all common shop materials. The Cobot Cutter makes the process easier and improves cut quality.
What is the Beacon Platform?
Beacon is a cloud-based control and programming app that works on phones, tablets, and web browsers. It enables your team to program and operate cobots without code or robotics expertise.
How do I program a cobot?
With Beacon and our Smart Puck, welders can hand-guide the cobot to each weld point, set parameters via the app, and start welding—all without learning code or using the teach pendant.
Learn More
What makes Hirebotics different from traditional automation providers?
Unlike custom or in-house solutions, Hirebotics delivers proven, off-the-shelf robotic systems with no-code programming via Beacon. We reduce setup time, training needs, and costs by offering a seamless experience from unboxing to production.
What solutions does Hirebotics offer?
We offer three core solutions:
Cobot Welder: For MIG welding automation
What welding types can be automated with a Cobot Welder?
Our system is optimized for MIG and pulsed MIG welding, including aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel. Other weld types like TIG or laser welding may require different platforms.
What are the main components of a cobot system?
Core components include the cobot arm, welding/cutting system (power source, feeder), end-of-arm torch, table/cart, safety accessories, and Beacon software for programming.
Setup, Safety & Operation
How long does setup take?
Most teams install and begin production within hours. No complex integration or custom coding is required.
Do I need special infrastructure?
Basic shop utilities (power, air, ethernet) are sufficient. Our cobots are compact, cage-free, and designed for seamless integration into existing workspaces.
Is it safe to operate around people?
Yes. Our cobots meet collaborative safety standards and can safely operate near human workers. Standard PPE and fume extraction still apply.
How do I switch between different jobs?
Simply load a saved program or adjust parameters in Beacon—it’s fast, flexible, and doesn’t require reprogramming from scratch.Learn More
Can anyone on my team run the cobot?
Yes. Once programmed, Beacon allows any operator to run or restart jobs with just a few taps on a tablet.
Support & BeaconCare
How fast is your support?
Most chat support tickets receive a response in under 2 minutes. Our team is made up of welding experts who can guide setup, optimization, and troubleshooting.
What support resources are available online?
Our Help Center includes how-to articles, setup videos, and troubleshooting guides. You can also chat with our support team directly through the Beacon app.
What is BeaconCare?
BeaconCare is our premium support package—like AppleCare for your cobot. It includes priority support, discounted repairs, loaner equipment, and optional on-site training.
What’s included in BeaconCare?
24/7 priority online support
On-site service options
Loaner equipment for minimal downtime
Discounted repairs
Coverage for robot hardware and Beacon software
Optional in-person training
Can I add BeaconCare later?
Yes. You can upgrade to BeaconCare at any time.
What’s the difference between Beacon Basic and Beacon Pro?
Beacon Basic: Free access to robot monitoring, file backup, unlimited users, and 7-day history
Beacon Pro: Adds 30-day chart/part history, stitch control, team permissions, Slack alerts, image/file uploads, CSV export, and more
Where can I find training materials?
Training resources are built into the Beacon app, including interactive guides, onboarding checklists, and video tutorials to help your team ramp up quickly. You can also access these free resources on our Support page.
Getting Started & Deployment
How quickly can I go from unboxing to production?
Many customers are running production welds/cuts the same day the system arrives. We’ve designed every component for fast deployment with minimal training.
How long will it take to train staff?
Most fabricators can learn Beacon in less than a day. Beacon is intuitive, visual, and built to let welders focus on weld quality—not programming.
Can I scale over time?
Yes. Start with one cobot and expand as needed. Beacon supports multiple robots and users with shared workflows and program libraries.
What happens if something breaks?
BeaconCare provides discounted repairs, overnight loaner equipment, and rapid service options to keep you up and running.
ROI & Business Impact
What kind of ROI can I expect?
Customers typically see 2–4x increases in productivity, with faster throughput, reduced rework, and more accurate quoting. Some customers have seen up to 10x improvements.
What are the biggest benefits of adding a cobot?
Increased throughput and shift output
Reduced weld rework and fatigue
Faster quoting and program turnaround
No need to hire programmers
Safer, more stable operations
How does Beacon help with analytics and reporting?
Beacon provides real-time data, job history, and process alerts to help you quote accurately, reduce downtime, and improve quality.
What industries use welding cobots?
Common industries include automotive, aerospace, appliances, and heavy equipment. Any shop needing repeatable, high-quality welds can benefit.
Can this help with the welder shortage?
Yes. Cobots allow your existing welders to be more productive by automating repetitive welds and freeing them up for high-value tasks.
