Introduction to the Catonator
Imagine a 2.4-ton robotic arm wielding a six-foot-seven circular sawblade with a 12-foot reach, slung onto a truck-mounted hooklift system for easy transport. This machine is as terrifying as it is awe-inspiring. Built on the back of Kuka’s KR Fortec 480 Ultra, the Catonator is a revolutionary robotic solution for the construction industry.
Key Features of the Catonator
The Catonator is a 6-axis, 4,850-lb fully electric, battery-powered cutting machine that can slice, dice, and julienne rock and concrete with 0.1-mm precision. It can also carry up to a 660-lb payload, and its modular toolhead allows easy switching between sawing, drilling, and bending tools to tackle a variety of jobs from tunneling to shipbuilding.
Advanced Technology and Sensors
The Catonator has a whole suite of sensors that constantly feed back to the onboard computers. Machine learning algorithms optimize its high-torque electric spindle to control blade speed and cutting paths, in order to efficiently tackle each job while decreasing wear on the blade for longer durations between replacements. All of this data is fed through the Smart Production dashboard on a computer or even to a smartphone, where operators can keep track of everything.
Operation and Control
Operators can control the machine via a wireless joystick remote, or the smart saw-wielding robot can be preprogrammed to run a task automatically. Because of this, the forklift-sized scalpel can go from truck to cutting in a fraction of the time traditional methods would take. The Catonator is equipped with a 360-degree LiDAR that acts as a safety bubble, stopping operation if an operator or other obstacle gets too close.
Applications and Benefits
The Catonator can replace explosives on job sites – no permits needed because no kaboom, making it safer, faster, and more efficient. Compared to conventional demo techniques, the Catonator can reportedly cut through rock, concrete, and even steel up to 10 times faster while being significantly quieter, with less mess and less disruption. And because it’s 100% electric, it’s clean enough to run in confined spaces without toxic diesel fumes.
The Brain Behind the Catonator
The Catonator is the brainchild of Cato Sørheim, seasoned demolition and concrete-cutting pro turned robotics pioneer. As the founder and owner of Sørheim Riveservice AS, Sørheim has spent a few decades at the frontline of industrial demolition, handling everything from tunnel jobs to large-scale concrete removal gigs. And now with the Catonator, he’s merged hands-on experience with cutting-edge robotics to create a cleaner, faster, smarter alternative.
Conclusion
The Catonator is a game-changer for the construction industry, offering a faster, safer, and more efficient way to cut through rock, concrete, and steel. With its advanced technology and sensors, modular toolhead, and 100% electric power, it’s an attractive alternative to traditional demo techniques. Although there aren’t any off-the-shelf units for sale yet, the potential benefits of the Catonator make it an exciting development for the future of construction.
