There are two popular types of robotic welding systems. The two are articulating and rectilinear. Articulating robotic welding units employ arms and rotating joints. They move like a human arm with a rotating wrist at the end. This creates an irregularly shaped working zone. Rectilinear units move in line in any of three axes (X, Y, Z). In addition to linear movement of the unit along axes there is a wrist attached to allow rotational movement. This creates a working zone that is box shaped. There are many factors that need to be considered when setting up a robotic welding facility. Provided appropriate maintenance procedures are adhered to, robotic welding systems are able to operate continuously.