Directory:Rimrock Automation/Robotic Grinding Automation

Robotic Grinding Automation Systems

Robotic grinding is performed on metal parts to remove excess material, reduce weld bead, or for shaping operations. Robotic grinding processes tend to be generally more aggressive in material removal than finishing applications & have less of an emphasis on final surface finish. Process media include coated abrasives (belts, discs, cones, flap wheels) & bonded abrasives (grinding wheels, cut off wheels). Determination of process media is usually made based upon amount of material to be removed & desired finish.

The most important determinants of robotic grinding system design and implementation are gripping surfaces availability & access to finishing locations. Parts which need grinding 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 grinding. Tool to part robot systems are more common when dealing with simple (single surface) grinding operations, large parts, and/or cells which grind multiple part skus, which would otherwise require gripper changeover.