13 August 2025 Blog

A One-of-a-Kind Robotic Machine

Imagine a robotic welding cell capable of handling parts up to 45 feet long, with restricted access, complex geometries, and low production volumes. A machine flexible enough to adapt to your fixtures, your weld recipes, and your process. And most importantly, a machine that is fully auto-programmed with no manual intervention.

That’s exactly what AGT Robotics recently delivered to a client in the heavy industry sector. A custom-built version of the BLOK 500 platform, equipped with a plunging Z-axis, a SnapCam 3D joint detection system, and automatic programming powered by Cortex Prime.

When Complexity Becomes the Standard

Manufacturers in oil and gas, mining, rail, or energy sectors face a familiar reality: their parts are large, heavy, often unique or produced in very small batches. In that context, traditional automation quickly hits a wall.

Here are just a few of the challenges:

• Limited access to weld zones
• Assemblies that change from one job to the next
• Low production repeatability
• Shortage of skilled labor
• Long programming times for each part

In such cases, a standard machine is no longer enough. You have to think differently.

A Fully Tailored Robotic Solution

AGT Robotics designed a two-zone BLOK 500 cell: one with heavy-duty positioners (handling parts up to 25,000 lb) and a free zone where the client can install their own fixtures and adapt the cell to any project.

But the real innovation lies in three key elements:

The Plunging Z-Axis

The robot is mounted on a vertical motorized axis that allows it to move down into the part, even in tight or confined spaces. This unique mechanical design offers unmatched access to complex weld zones while maintaining high precision.

The SnapCam System

This proprietary 3D sensor detects weld joints in real time, even when the assembly contains alignment errors or positioning issues. The operator doesn’t need to manually teach each weld path.

Cortex Prime Technology

With Cortex, weld path programming is fully automated from the 3D model. The client simply imports their assembly into the software, runs a simulation, and sends the program directly to the robotic cell.

The result: zero manual programming, even for complex assemblies produced in small batches.

More Than a Machine: A Technical Partnership

What sets AGT Robotics apart isn’t just the engineering behind its equipment, but the complete support offered to its clients.

In this project, the client was able to:

• Send their most complex part to validate critical dimensions
• Participate in the mechanical configuration of the cell
• Receive a machine that was pre-tested, calibrated, and optimized
• Benefit from several weeks of on-site support for training, commissioning, and fine-tuning
• Access a remote support system for any technical questions

And most importantly, the client knows they will never be left alone. AGT Robotics provides proactive follow-up after installation, whether for welding quality, ongoing training, or adding new Cortex features tailored to future needs.

The Future of Flexible Automation

Every project is an opportunity to innovate. According to Charles Lagacé, project manager at AGT Robotics, every machine delivered makes the next one better. Cortex software becomes more powerful with each iteration, mechanical systems more versatile, and the user experience more refined.

This model of continuous collaboration allows AGT Robotics to deliver truly customized robotic solutions that can evolve alongside changing parts, production needs, and manufacturing methods in demanding industrial environments.

View the complete interview

Charles Lagacé, project manager at AGT, presents the challenges of this project, the integrated innovations, and the concrete benefits for the client.

Disclaimer: The English version of this video features an AI-generated voice. The video in its original French version is available here.