A welding table (also called a fixture table or tooling plate) is the platform on which workpieces are located, clamped and held in place during robotic or manual welding. The "2D vs 3D" distinction refers to how many working surfaces can carry tooling:
2D welding table - one working surface for mounting locating pieces
3D welding table - five working surfaces available for tooling, and the table can be extended from any of those five surfaces
This difference matters because a 3D table lets fixture builders locate parts from multiple directions on a single table, rather than needing separate fixtures or repositioning the workpiece - useful for parts with features on more than one face.
Material and Hole Pattern Options
3D welding tables are generally available in two material types:
| Material | Typical use case |
|---|---|
| Steel welding table (1040) | General-purpose fixturing, lower cost |
| Cast welding table (GG25–30) | Higher rigidity and dimensional stability for precision fixturing |
Hole diameter and grid spacing also vary by series:
| Series | Hole diameter | Grid spacing |
|---|---|---|
| D28 series | 28 mm | 100 × 100 mm |
| D16 series | 16 mm | 50 × 50 mm |
The D16 series' tighter grid gives more mounting positions per unit area, which helps when locating small or geometrically complex parts; the D28 series suits larger, heavier tooling where hole spacing matters less than load capacity.
Supporting Structure
Depending on shop-floor needs, the table can be supplied with:
Legs - the simplest, fixed-height support
Steel frame - a heavier base for larger tables or higher tooling loads
Hydraulic lift box - allows the table height to be adjusted, useful when the same table is shared across different welding cells or robot reach heights
Tooling and Accessories
A welding table is only as useful as the tooling mounted on it. Common accessories include:
Supporting tools: U-shaped cube case, L-shaped cube case, angle supporting, angle gauge
Locating spare parts
Clamping and fixing tools
Locking parts for the workpiece
Auxiliary tools
Because the table uses a standardized hole grid, these components can typically be repositioned and reused as product lines change - an advantage over a one-off welded fixture that only fits a single part.
Why Precision Fixturing Matters for Robotic Welding
For a robot to weld consistently, the workpiece has to be in the same position, weld after weld. A welding table's locating and clamping system is what makes that repeatability possible - it lets a shop:
Fix imprecise workpiece dimensions into position during the initial setup stage
Use existing shop-floor components to mock up assemblies in CAD before building final tooling
Rebuild or modify fixtures without machining a new base plate each time
This is particularly relevant for shops running mixed small-batch production, where fixtures need to change more often than in a single-part dedicated line.
Selection Checklist
Before specifying a 3D welding table, confirm:
Table size needed to fit your largest workpiece plus clamping clearance
Material - steel (1040) for general use, or cast iron (GG25–30) for higher rigidity
Hole series - D28 (100×100mm grid) or D16 (50×50mm grid), based on tooling density needed
Support type - fixed legs, steel frame, or hydraulic lift for height adjustment
Tooling package - which locating, clamping and supporting accessories your fixtures require
Compatibility with your welding process - e.g., maximum welding current and torch type if the table will be used with a specific robot cell
Delivery and Support
According to Fulzh's product specifications, standard delivery time for the 3D welding table is 10 days, with EXW, FOB and CIF terms available. Fulzh also states it operates its own carrier arrangements for shipping, and offers 24-hour technical support through its engineering team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a 2D and 3D welding table?
A 2D table has one working surface for tooling. A 3D table has five working surfaces and can be extended from any of them, allowing fixtures to be built from multiple directions.
Which hole series should I choose, D28 or D16?
D28 uses a 100×100mm grid with 28mm holes, suited to larger tooling. D16 uses a tighter 50×50mm grid with 16mm holes, giving more mounting flexibility for smaller or more complex parts.
Can the table be extended later if my parts get bigger?
Yes - a 3D welding table can be extended from any of its five working surfaces, so fixture layouts can grow with new part requirements.
Is a hydraulic lift box necessary?
Only if the table needs to be height-adjustable - for example, if it's shared across robot cells with different reach heights. Fixed legs or a steel frame are sufficient for a dedicated single-height setup.
What welding processes is this table used with?
It's designed as a general fixturing platform and can be paired with different robotic welding processes; check compatibility with your specific torch and power source when specifying tooling.