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The Benefits of Robotic Grinding and Finishing

The Benefits of Robotic GrindingRobotic grinding and robotic material removal processes have been adopted by manufacturers around the world because of the many productivity benefits they provide. When compared to manual processes, robotic grinding offers a more versatile and streamlined way to improve operations.

From iron castings to diesel engine blocks, robotic grinding and finishing is an essential part of manufacturing processes for a wide range of parts as manufacturers constantly pursue higher levels of productivity and part quality

The Primary Challenges to Manual Grinding and Finishing

One of the main challenges manufacturers face in manual grinding and finishing processes is a lack of consistency in part quality. In the end, manual workers may be able to produce a part with the same quality as a robot, but the possibility of human error leaves room for inconsistencies that can directly detract from a manufacturer’s bottom line.

The other primary obstacle in manual processes is achieving fast, consistent throughput levels. Manual processes can be slow and unpredictable in comparison to what’s possible with automation, which not only lowers throughput but creates variations in throughput based on how long a worker must spend on each part.

The Benefits of Robotic Grinding and Finishing

There are many benefits that come with robotic automation of grinding and finishing. Robots are inherently repeatable, which addresses inconsistencies in throughput and part quality. Further, robots can work much longer hours without breaks, contributing to higher overall throughput levels.

In addition to higher, more consistent throughput and better part quality, robotic grinding and finishing creates short-term return on investment (ROI) and long-term reductions in operating costs. These results compound over time, as automating one process opens the door for further automation of other processes.

Manual vs. Robotic Grinding & Finishing

Robotic grinding and finishing improves quality, speed, safety, and consistency, while reducing long-term costs. Here’s how it compares to manual grinding and finishing.

Category Manual Robotic
Consistency Varies by operator fatigue/skill Highly consistent & repeatable
Speed Slower and varies by part/operator Faster, steady, and programmable
Surface Quality Depends on skill; hard to replicate exactly Uniform across all parts
Safety High risk (dust, vibration, repetitive strain) Keeps workers out of hazardous environments
Cost (Short-Term) Lower setup cost Higher upfront investment
Cost (Long-Term) Higher labor and rework costs Lower due to automation and reduced scrap
Flexibility High for small batches or custom jobs High with proper programming and tooling
Tool Wear Control Inconsistent Optimized through force control and monitoring
Data & Traceability Difficult Easy to integrate with tracking and analytics systems
Uptime Limited by human shifts and breaks 24/7 potential with minimal downtime
Complex Geometry Challenging and inconsistent Handles complex parts with CAD-to-path and sensors
Environmental Control Open environment, more dust/vibration Easier to contain within a robotic cell

 

The benefits of robotic grinding and finishing are clear. Essentially, robotic automation of grinding and finishing allows manufacturers to produce more parts with a higher quality at a lower cost.

When compared to manual processes, robotic automation offers many well-defined benefits for manufacturers that need to improve robotic grinding and finishing processes.

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