Welds with or without drawings
Import a STEP or IFC model, or let the station scan a stiffened plate and build the model itself.
Cantilever welding robot
8-Axis Cantilever Welding Robot for Bridge Steel & Plates
Welds bridge plate units, diaphragms and wide stiffened plates up to 3,500 mm across — from a 3D model, or from a scan when there is no drawing.
The robot hangs from a travelling cantilever and reaches the whole plate from above. Built by a structural steel fabricator whose own plants run 2,000+ of our welding robots.
8-Axis Robot in Numbers
- 3,500 mm
- Maximum component width
- 600 mm
- Maximum stiffener height
- 12 m
- Effective travel on the standard 15 m frame
- 1–5 days
- Operator training time
Why Fabricators Choose the 8-Axis Robot
Reaches wide plates from above
The robot hangs from a cantilever that travels along the station, covering components up to 3,500 mm wide.
More output per welder
One operator runs 3–6 stations, so one skilled person supervises several robots.
Consistent welds, recorded
Every seam is scanned before welding, parameters come from a structural steel process library, and the welded length is logged.
What the 8-Axis Robot Welds
Wide, flat components whose welds face upward, so the robot can work across the full width from above.
- Bridge plate units
- Plate-unit diaphragms
- Stiffened plates
- Plates with openings
- Wide planar assemblies
Cantilever Welding Robots: 7, 8 or 9 Axes
Choose a cantilever welding robot by the shape of the part and the approach to its seams. A single cantilever with an inverted arm is the simpler 7-axis layout.
| Station | Movement and approach | Choose it for |
|---|---|---|
| 7-axis cantilever | A single cantilever carries the inverted robot to weld from above. | Parts needing access from above with a simpler layout than the 8-axis station. |
| 8-axis cantilever | Works from above across wide, flat components. | Bridge plate units, diaphragms and stiffened plates. |
| 9-axis cantilever | Adds cross-slide and vertical movement to rail travel. | Three-dimensional frames, box-type parts and parts without drawings. |
Specifications
Standard configuration of the 8-axis cantilever station.
| Item | 8-Axis Cantilever Welding Robot |
|---|---|
| Component width | Up to 3,500 mm |
| Stiffener height | Up to 600 mm |
| Frame length (standard) | 15 m |
| Effective travel (standard) | 12 m |
| Robot reach | 2,014 mm |
| Robot payload | 6 kg |
| Robot repeatability | ±0.08 mm |
| Frame material | Q355 steel |
| Welding process | GMAW: CO₂ / MAG / MIG |
| 3D model import | STEP, IFC |
| Programming | Teachless from the 3D model; reverse modelling from a scan when there is no drawing; parametric modelling; simple teach mode for special welds |
| Staffing | One operator runs 3–6 stations |
| Material | Carbon structural steel |
What Comes With the Station
Everything needed to weld wide plates on your shop floor, supplied as one station:
- Cantilever frame in Q355 steel, travelling along the station to carry the robot over the part.
- Welding robot mounted upside down beneath the cantilever.
- Large laser line scanner that captures the plate, locates the part and finds each seam before welding.
- Teachless software for model-based work, reverse modelling from a scan and parametric modelling.
- Welding power source with a structural steel process library.
- QR code job loading: scan the part label to load its model; the welded length is reported after each job.
How It Works: With or Without a Drawing
- 1
Load or scan the part
Open the STEP or IFC model, or scan a stiffened plate that has no drawing — the software builds its model.
- 2
Plan automatically
The software extracts the welds, takes parameters from the process library, plans the path and checks it for collisions.
- 3
Locate the part
A laser line scan finds where the plate lies on the station and matches it to the model.
- 4
Find each seam and weld
Before each weld the robot scans the seam to locate it, then welds from above.
- 5
Record the result
The welded length is logged for each part and can be reported to your ERP or MES (optional).
Is Your Part a Good Fit?
Works best for
- Wide, flat components with welds facing upward.
- Bridge plate units, diaphragms and stiffened plates up to 3,500 mm wide.
- Stiffeners up to 600 mm high.
- Carbon structural steel.
Check before you order
- Stiffener height and spacing decide where the torch can reach.
- Scan-based modelling suits flat plates with stiffeners; other shapes need a 3D model.
- Fillet welds with legs over 10 mm are made in several passes.
- Supports and fixtures used during welding are part of the working space.
See It Before You Buy
Free part evaluation. Send a drawing, model or photo of a typical plate unit. Our engineers check the welds and recommend a station and quotation. We reply within one business day.
Watch or try it. Book a live video tour of our production, or visit our factory in Hefei and operate the robot yourself before you order.
Delivery and training. Operators learn to run the station in 1–5 days. On-site commissioning and training at your workshop can be arranged; the cost is listed in your quotation.
Related Pages
Get a Free Evaluation for Your Parts
Describe the component, its width and the difficult joints. Drawings and models are welcome but not required to start.
What happens next
Prefer email? sales@steelweldingrobot.com
8-Axis Welding Robot Questions
Common questions from fabricators comparing cantilever welding robots.
How much does the 8-axis cantilever welding robot cost?
The price depends on frame length, travel, the welding package and software options. We quote factory-direct after a free review of your parts.
Can it weld without drawings?
Yes, for flat plates with stiffeners: a large laser line scan captures the part and the software builds its model. Other parts need a STEP or IFC model. You do not need a model to send a first inquiry.
7-axis or 8-axis: which do I need?
The 7-axis robot runs on a ground rail beside the part and suits beams, columns and other long members up to 1,500 mm wide. The 8-axis robot hangs from a cantilever above the part and suits wide plates and bridge units up to 3,500 mm.
How long do operators take to learn it?
Operators learn to run the station in 1–5 days, and training uses your own parts.
Do you install and train overseas?
Yes. On-site commissioning and operator training at your workshop can be arranged; the cost is listed in your quotation. Our engineers also support your team remotely.