PORTABOT – Portable Welding Cobot

In shipbuilding, automation is particularly well-developed in early production phases, such as panel and block production. As soon as sections are closed, automation declines significantly. Welding then takes place in enclosed, hard-to-reach spaces where large robotic systems cannot be deployed and manual welding remains the standard. PORTABOT breaks this pattern. Automation is no longer tied to fixed production lines but is brought directly to the workplace. Thanks to the magnetic base, the cobot can be placed on the steel structure and function in closed blocks, precisely where traditional automation stops. In this way, an individual robot application evolves into a scalable production concept. As a result, advanced welding automation becomes accessible not only to large shipyards but also to small and medium-sized yards. The distinction lies not only in mobility but, above all, in process design. With RinasWeld, the entire welding preparation shifts to work preparation. From the 3D CAD model, weld seams are automatically recognized and translated into complete, executable welding plans, including robot paths and positions. Macro programming, teach-in, and scanning on the shop floor disappear. Operators work with pre-generated tasks, shifting their role from specialized programming to execution. This limits time loss on the shop floor and maximizes the use of the cobot for welding. After placement, the cobot automatically determines the exact position of the weld seam via touch sensing and corrects discrepancies between the model and reality. As a result, the process remains reliable, even under variable and less controlled conditions.