71023140 - Arcair N7500 Automated Gouging System with Bug-O Tractor

High-Precision Automated Metal Removal

The Arcair N7500 Gouging System (SKU: 71023140) represents the pinnacle of mechanized air carbon-arc gouging technology, specifically configured here with a Bug-O 110 VAC travel carriage. Designed for heavy industrial environments such as shipyards, pressure vessel fabrication, and steel construction, this system automates the removal of metal to create U-grooves for weld joint preparation or to back-gouge full penetration welds. The integration of the N7500 head with the Bug-O tractor allows for continuous, uninterrupted travel along a track, ensuring that groove geometry is maintained within tight tolerances over long distances.

Technically, the N7500 head assembly is engineered to handle the extreme thermal loads associated with high-amperage gouging. It accommodates jointed carbon electrodes ranging from 5/16-inch to 3/4-inch in diameter. The system utilizes a sophisticated feed mechanism that automatically advances the electrode to maintain the optimal arc voltage and stick-out, compensating for electrode consumption in real-time. This specific package operates on 110 VAC for the travel carriage and control instrumentation, making it compatible with standard auxiliary power found on most heavy-duty welding sites.

The inclusion of the Bug-O carriage provides a robust platform for linear motion. The tractor unit locks onto a rail system (rails typically sold separately or existing in facility) to drive the gouging head at a precise, adjustable speed. This mechanical consistency eliminates the variables of human operation, such as travel speed fluctuation and torch angle variance, which often lead to irregular groove depths in manual processes. The system is controlled via a remote pendant, allowing the operator to adjust parameters safely away from the immediate arc zone, reducing exposure to fumes, noise, and heat.

For facility managers and production engineers, the N7500 offers a rapid return on investment by increasing metal removal rates by up to five times compared to manual grinding or chipping, and significantly faster than manual gouging due to the ability to run at higher amperages continuously without operator fatigue.