ARC-R / ADAPTIVE ROBOTIC CELL
ARC-R
Single 7-Axis Robotic Manufacturing System
One W7 robot on coordinated external motion, programmed from CAD and run by Catfish OS.
OVERVIEW
Flexible Automation Without Rebuilding the Factory
Built for high-mix shops where parts, welds and fixtures change every week. One W7 on a 6–10 m linear rail with a 2-axis positioner reaches more of the part, so operators reposition heavy assemblies less often.
FOR FABRICATORS · STRUCTURAL MANUFACTURERS · WORKBOAT BUILDERS
ARCHITECTURE
One Robot, Coordinated Motion
ARC-R combines the W7 robot with external axes that move it to the work. Catfish OS controls them as one system.
W7 Robot
Catfish seven-axis industrial robot.
Linear Rail
6–10 m of travel in the standard configuration, with vertical travel available.
Laser Seam Sensor
Finds the as-built joint before and during the weld.
Positioner
Two axes turn the part to the best welding position.
Catfish OS
Studio programs, Control X coordinates, Proof records.
PROCESSES
One Cell, Many Processes
Welding first. Automatic tool changing lets the same W7 handle, drill, grind, inspect and dispense in one setup.
Welding
Fillet and groove welds on structural assemblies, each to its assigned WPS, with the seam located before the arc starts.
WORKFLOW
From CAD to Weld Record
- 01
Import
Bring the part model into Catfish Studio.
- 02
Plan
Generate paths offline before the part arrives.
- 03
Sense
3D vision and laser seam finding locate the real joint.
- 04
Weld
Control X coordinates the robot and every external axis.
- 05
Inspect
Scan finished seams and log the result.
- 06
Record
Proof stores parameters and results for every weld.
FUNCTIONS
From Drawing to Documented Weld
CAD-to-Weld
Studio reads the part model, identifies joints and generates weld paths offline.
WPS Match
Each joint is welded with parameters from its assigned, approved WPS.
Seam Locate and Adapt
The laser seam sensor finds the as-built joint and corrects within the approved procedure and configured process limits.
Coordinated Rail and Positioner
Rail travel and two positioner axes move with the robot as one 10-axis system.
Per-Weld Record
Proof logs parameters, path, corrections, operator and inspection result for every weld.
Offline Programming
Paths are simulated in Studio for reach and collision before the part reaches the cell.
Plant Connectivity
OPC UA, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and MQTT link the cell to existing plant systems.
SPECIFICATIONS
ARC-R Spec Sheet
Single-Robot Welding System
- 1 × W7
- Robot
- 7
- Robot axes
- Configurable
- Linear and vertical travel
- Per-weld
- Production record
- Robot
- 1 × Catfish W7
- Robot axes
- 7
- Linear travel
- 6–10 m rail in the standard configuration; configurable
- Positioner
- 2-axis in the standard configuration
- Vertical positioning
- Configurable
- Total coordinated axes
- Configuration dependent; 10 in the standard configuration (7 robot + 1 rail + 2 positioner)
- Seam sensing
- Laser seam sensor
- Installation
- Floor-mounted industrial cell
- Controller
- Control X: real-time CPU, safety processor/PLC, edge GPU, EtherCAT master, I/O, camera inputs, SSD process logging
- Robot
- 1 × Catfish W7
- Robot axes
- 7
- Linear travel
- 6–10 m rail in the standard configuration; configurable
- Positioner
- 2-axis in the standard configuration
- Vertical positioning
- Configurable
- Total coordinated axes
- Configuration dependent; 10 in the standard configuration (7 robot + 1 rail + 2 positioner)
- Seam sensing
- Laser seam sensor
- Installation
- Floor-mounted industrial cell
- Controller
- Control X: real-time CPU, safety processor/PLC, edge GPU, EtherCAT master, I/O, camera inputs, SSD process logging
- Workpiece type
- Structural assemblies / fabricated steel
- Production model
- High-mix / flexible manufacturing
- Applications
- Structural fabrication, workboats, commercial marine structures, frames, beams, panels, welded assemblies, heavy fabricated components
- Welding
- MIG/MAG, FCAW
- Parameters
- WPS-governed
- Adaptive correction
- Only within the approved procedure and configured process limits; every correction logged
- Additional processes
- Handling, machining, finishing, dispensing, inspection
- Work
- Stiffened panels, stiffeners, subassemblies, structural weldments
- Included
- Studio, Weld, Proof
- Optional
- Mission Control, Fleet
- WPS management
- Supported
- Job scheduling
- Supported
- Production records
- Supported
- Record per weld
- Current, voltage, wire feed, travel speed, torch angle, path, sensing corrections, WPS, operator, software version, inspection result
- Plant protocols
- OPC UA, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, MQTT
- Safety architecture
- Installation-specific industrial safety architecture
- Safety elements
- Emergency-stop circuits, safety-rated interlocks, safety PLC, perimeter guarding, access gates, area scanners, light curtains, machine-state monitoring, controlled zones, status towers, safe-stop functions
- Real-time loop
- Cloud is never in the real-time loop
Specifications are engineering targets for current Catfish systems and are confirmed per installation at acceptance. Product notice
APPLICATIONS
Built for Flexible Fabrication
Structural Steel Assemblies
Welded steel assemblies in high-mix batches.
Stiffened Panels
Plate panels with stiffeners for marine and industrial structures.
Workboat Components
Hull sections, decks and superstructure parts.
Commercial Marine Structures
Structural parts for barges, ferries and commercial vessels.
Frames and Subframes
Machine frames, skids and subframes.
Beam Assemblies
Beams with stiffeners, end plates and clips.
Tubular Structures
Pipe and tube frames, rails and supports.
Brackets and Supports
Brackets, gussets and support weldments in mixed lots.
Structural Steel Assemblies
Welded steel assemblies in high-mix batches.
Stiffened Panels
Plate panels with stiffeners for marine and industrial structures.
Workboat Components
Hull sections, decks and superstructure parts.
Commercial Marine Structures
Structural parts for barges, ferries and commercial vessels.
Frames and Subframes
Machine frames, skids and subframes.
Beam Assemblies
Beams with stiffeners, end plates and clips.
Tubular Structures
Pipe and tube frames, rails and supports.
Brackets and Supports
Brackets, gussets and support weldments in mixed lots.
Ideal for manufacturers who want robotic productivity without building an entire automated line.
TALK TO US
See ARC-R on Your Parts
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