Funkhouser Racecars, a small but high-performance CNC and fabrication shop in Ramona, CA needed a speedier weld process to meet demand despite a deep appreciation for traditional TIG welding. With a mighty four-man team, rising demand, and a commitment to delivering high-quality suspension components and rear-end housings at a fair price, they needed a way to scale without sacrificing precision.
The answer came in the form of a THG Automation robotic welding system allowing Funkhouser Racecars to increase production up to 7×, cut welding cycle times from 2 hours to just 8 minutes, and deliver consistent, high-quality welds without warping or rework.
Today, Funkhouser Racecars is welding faster, working smarter, and turning a small race shop into a scalable manufacturing operation.
“I was always chasing orders, like getting orders done, and the cobot gave me a huge amount of confidence. It can weld more parts than we can ever dream of,” said Matt Funkhouser, owner.
Finding THG Automation Through YouTube
Owner Matt Funkhouser first discovered THG Automation through a YouTube video, and immediately saw the potential after seeing someone just like him doing some TIG welding… but with a robot versus manually.
“Don’t be scared, go for it. Time is money, and this will save you a lot of time,” Matt recalls.
The moment he saw robotic welding in action, he saw the potential: precision-quality welds at speeds far beyond manual TIG welding. Soon after snagging a THG system, Funkhouser Racecars was seeing results that exceeded expectations before they could even blink.
“There’s some serious technology in this,” Matt says. “I now have parts that I hold in my hand and I feel like the quality is higher than it was when it was hand TIG welded. I sacrifice no quality, I gain speed and efficiency, I’ve got a value add on my components, and I can deliver a quicker, faster, more effective product to my customers now.”
Why Funkhouser Chose THG Automation
For Matt, it wasn’t just the technology, it was the team behind it. THG Automation’s experience, responsiveness, and passion for helping shops succeed made the decision easy. This was an expert team that he felt would be supportive and attentive when it came to integrating the system into his processes.
“I thought I was going to have to wait a couple of weeks, but I was talking to them on Thursday and they were here Monday,” Matt said.
The system arrived pre-assembled, fully tested, and ready to weld, eliminating setup headaches and allowing immediate results. It went from truck, to pallet, to straight onto the Funkhouser Racecars’ floor within minutes.
From Manual TIG to Robotic MIG with Game-Changing Results
Before automation, high-precision welds could take hours. Now, two-hour jobs are done in just eight minutes. Cycle times dropped from 11 inches per minute to 1 inch per minute, while consistency and finish quality improved dramatically.
Benefits Funkhouser has seen:
- No more warping
- Higher weld consistency
- Faster workflow
- Better profit margins
“It’s easier to achieve perfection every time,” Matt said. “And this has made high quality attainable for customers at all price points.”
The system has also opened new opportunities: Funkhouser Racecars can now take on time-sensitive jobs, scale production efficiently, and even explore new industries. This has made the organization feel that sustainability is stronger than ever and has opened up a whole other world where the team can really grow.
“The cobot has offered me an amount of confidence that I’m not worried about hitting product line goals. I’m able to move into other industries and hit their timelines as well,” he said.
A Future Built on Smarter Welding
By switching from manual TIG to robotic MIG welding, Funkhouser Racecars didn’t just improve part quality… they built a scalable production model that empowers a small shop to compete bigger.
They’re proof that modern welding automation isn’t just for large manufacturers. It’s for any shop ready to grow.
“What if we changed our process a little so we could take advantage of this welding unit? Before you know it, you’ve got buckets of parts sitting behind you,” Matt says.
Funkhouser Racecars’ journey shows that modern robotic welding isn’t just for big manufacturers – it’s for any shop ready to grow, increase efficiency, and deliver exceptional results for their customers.
If you’re facing similar challenges or looking to improve your welding throughput, our team is here to help.
Reach out to our fabrication experts to discuss your welding operation and see if a collaborative welding system is the right fit for your shop. We’ll help you explore what’s possible with no pressure, just real answers.
