Directory:Rimrock Automation/Robotic Finishing Automation

Robotic Finishing Automation Systems

Robotic finishing is performed on metal parts to remove excess material from casting(deflashing), reduce weld splatter/bead, or for pre-paint preparation. Robotic finishing process media include coated abrasives (belts, discs, cones, flap wheels), bonded abrasives (grinding wheels, cut off wheels), & wire cup brushes. Determination of process media is usually made based upon amount of material to be removed & desired finish.

The most important determinants of robotic finishing system design and implementation are gripping surfaces availability & access to finishing locations. The majority of robotic finishing systems are based on a part to tool design due to the need for articulated part movement to mimic the former manual process. Parts which need finishing operations on multiple surfaces are more likely to use part to tool robot system designs to allow for part regrip(s) & flexibility in approach angles for optimal finishing. Tool to part robot systems are more common when dealing with simple (single surface) finishing operations, large parts, and/or cells which finish multiple part skus, which would otherwise require gripper changeover.