Wide, heavy plates
Reach the whole plate from above
The cantilever carries the robot across components up to 3,500 mm wide, with stiffeners up to 600 mm high.
Bridge steel welding
Robotic Welding for Bridge Steel and Plate Units
Bridge plate units and diaphragms are wide, heavy and full of stiffeners, slots and openings. Our cantilever robot works across the full width from above — from a 3D model, or from a scan when there is no drawing.
Why Bridge Plate Units Suit a Robot
Hundreds of similar welds
Consistent and recorded
Every seam is scanned before welding, parameters come from the process library, and the welded length is logged.
Not every plate has a drawing
Scan it or model it
Flat stiffened plates can be scanned at the station, and standard plates built by parametric modelling.
Bridge Components We Weld
- Bridge deck plate units
- Plate-unit diaphragms
- Stiffened plates
- Slotted diaphragm plates
- Plates with openings
- Wide planar assemblies
Typical Welds on Plate Units
What the cantilever robot welds on a typical plate unit.
Penetration and inspection requirements are reviewed joint by joint in the free evaluation.
| Weld | Where you find it | Robot |
|---|---|---|
| Stiffener-to-plate fillet welds | Longitudinal and transverse stiffeners | Welded from above |
| Diaphragm welds | Diaphragm grids and slotted plates | Yes |
| Curved seams | Around openings and cut-outs | Yes |
| Intermittent welds | Long secondary seams | On straight seams |
| Large fillets (leg over 10 mm) | Heavy plates | Several passes |
How the 8-Axis Robot Welds a Plate Unit
- Load the plate unit under the cantilever.
- Model: open the STEP or IFC model, scan a stiffened plate that has no drawing, or build a standard plate by parametric modelling.
- Plan: the software extracts the welds, plans the path and checks for collisions in a 3D simulation.
- Weld: the robot scans each seam and welds from above across the full width.
- Record: the welded length is logged for each part.
What to Send for a Free Evaluation
Helpful to include
- Drawings or a 3D model (STEP or IFC) of a typical plate unit or diaphragm.
- Plate sizes, stiffener heights and spacing.
- Weld sizes, and any penetration or inspection requirements.
- Photos of assembled units, especially tight joints.
Also useful
- The component types you weld most, and rough monthly volume.
- Your workshop location and the space available.
- Anything that is hard to weld today.
Get a Free Evaluation for Your Parts
Tell us what you weld. Drawings and models are welcome but not required to start.
What happens next
Prefer email? sales@steelweldingrobot.com
Bridge Steel Welding Questions
Common questions about robotic welding of bridge steel.
How wide can the plate units be?
Up to 3,500 mm wide, with stiffeners up to 600 mm high. The standard frame gives 12 m of effective travel.
Can it weld plates without drawings?
Yes, for flat plates with stiffeners: the station scans the part and builds its model. Standard plates can also be built by parametric modelling. Other parts need a STEP or IFC model.
Which robot suits plate girders?
Plate girders are long members, so the 7-axis rail-mounted robot usually suits them when they are up to 1,500 mm wide. Wide plate units and diaphragms suit the 8-axis cantilever robot. Send a drawing and we recommend one.
What about full-penetration welds?
Tell us the joint preparation and inspection requirements. Our engineers review each joint in the free evaluation and tell you which welds the robot takes.
Related Pages
Get a Free Evaluation of Your Bridge Components
Send a drawing, model or photo of a typical plate unit or diaphragm. Our engineers check which welds the robot can take and recommend a station — free of charge. We reply within one business day.
Or email sales@steelweldingrobot.com