Welding technology is a key pillar of modern industrial manufacturing. It plays an essential role in industries such as automotive manufacturing, mechanical and plant engineering, aerospace, shipbuilding, as well as the energy and oil sectors. At the same time, companies face the challenge of training and upskilling qualified personnel while increasing quality requirements and ongoing digitalisation are transforming industrial processes. Digital training solutions are becoming increasingly important in this context. They allow skills to be developed in a safe and controlled environment before real welding operations are performed. In Germany, WeldPlus fulfills this role as part of the Seabery Group.
WeldPlus, headquartered in Müschenbach in the Westerwald region in Germany, was founded in 2010 initially as an entrepreneurial company (UG) and was converted into WeldPlus in 2016. From its early stages, the company worked closely with the Spanish technology company Seabery and took responsibility for the sales and implementation of AR (Augmented Reality) training systems in German-speaking markets. Until 2022, WeldPlus served as the official distributor of Seabery technologies in Germany. With its integration into the Seabery Group in 2022, the company’s role evolved further: today, WeldPlus operates as Seabery former WeldPlus and is one of the few locations worldwide offering direct sales within the international company structure. For customers in German-speaking markets, Seabery former WeldPlus remains the central point of contact. Industrial companies, training centers, universities and vocational education institutions are supported in the introduction of digital AR training systems – from planning and implementation to the didactic integration into existing training programmes.
AR welding simulation with global reach
Seabery’s core product, Soldamatic, also known as the Seabery Welding Simulator, has fundamentally transformed welding education. As the world’s first Augmented Reality welding simulator, it enables hands-on training under realistic conditions. The technology is already used in more than 80 countries and supports instructors, trainees and skilled professionals in key industries such as automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, rail transport, oil and gas, as well as in technical and vocational education and training.
The Seabery Welding Simulator combines real working environments with digital training content. Trainees work with real welding equipment – helmet, torch and gloves – while the weld bead is generated virtually. Process-relevant parameters such as torch angle, travel speed, distance to the workpiece and arc length are continuously recorded and analyzed. Exercises can be repeated as often as required, enabling trainees to systematically develop their motor skills and process understanding before working with real materials. At the same time, the use of digital simulation significantly reduces the consumption of materials and energy.
Industrial welding qualification
Welding PRO is an innovative training solution for industrial welding qualification. Based on AR simulation, it enables companies to train welding professionals efficiently, build competencies in a targeted manner and structure qualification processes more systematically. A key element of Welding PRO is the use of digital twins. Real components, welding positions and production conditions are virtually replicated. Welders can train on digital representations of real workpieces and practice under realistic conditions without consuming materials or interrupting production processes. This helps develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between welding technique, process parameters and weld quality.
Training data is analyzed in real time and detailed performance indicators are provided. Progress, strengths and areas for improvement are displayed transparently, enabling the development of individualized training programmes. At the same time, welding procedures and training content can be adapted to specific production requirements. By combining simulation, data analysis and digital twins, Welding PRO significantly accelerates the learning process. Companies can reduce qualification times, lower material and energy costs and sustainably improve the quality of their welding processes. The data-driven approach also enables objective assessment of skills and better preparation for technical audits and standards-based inspections. In this way, Welding PRO supports companies in qualifying their workforce faster, optimizing training processes and sustainably increasing productivity and process reliability in manufacturing.
AR solutions for automated manufacturing processes
In addition to manual welding processes, the AR training solution also enables training for robot-assisted welding systems. Trainees can learn the programming and operation of welding robots in a safe, simulated environment, while gaining a practical understanding of the interaction between process parameters and weld quality. Also, STEM Welding has been developed specifically for the STEM education sector (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
These programmes aim to introduce younger audiences to technical careers and support early career orientation. With STEM Welding, students gain early, hands-on access to the technical fundamentals of welding. Through interactive exercises, technical understanding is developed while simultaneously encouraging interest in technical and science-based training programmes – long before students enter vocational education or apprenticeships. The AR technologies developed by Seabery and WeldPlus are increasingly being applied to other industrial processes as well, for example through the Spray Painting Simulator used in coating and painting training.
Conclusion
Industrial manufacturing is undergoing continuous transformation. Digitalisation, automation and new training concepts are increasingly changing the way technical professionals are trained and qualified. As part of the Seabery Group, WeldPlus is working to combine modern simulation technologies with practical training approaches. The integration of WeldPlus into the Seabery Group makes innovative AR training solutions directly accessible to industry and educational institutions.
By combining realistic simulation, data-driven analysis and practice-oriented training concepts, the education and upskilling of welding professionals can be made more efficient, safer and more sustainable. The goal is to support companies and educational institutions in training skilled professionals efficiently while integrating modern technologies into qualification programmes. With digital training solutions in welding and industrial coating, the company contributes to the advancement of technical education and actively support the development of the skilled workforce of tomorrow.
(Source: Anna Breuer, Head of Operations & Sales Coordinator, Seabery former WeldPlus)
Schlagworte
AerospaceARAugmented RealityAutomotiveCoatingEnergyManufacturingShipbuildingSkilled WorkersSTEMVocational TrainingWeldingWelding GlovesWelding SimulatorWelding Torch