What is this strange, old welding positioner?

[Maxim]

I got this as part of a set of things I bought recently (for way too much money ). I'm told its an automated welder for gas tanks but the sellers didn't know too much about it.

The control box has vacuum tubes in it. The top 'arm' can move fore and aft as well as rotate along the center.

I was going to make it into a normal welding positioned, but I wanted to know what it was first.

Any ideas? I don't see a maker or model tag anywhere on it.