Sanding and polishing

Polishing, buffing, and even sanding tasks require a specific, often delicate touch. UR collaborative robot arms with force control offer a flexible solution that automatically adjusts position to achieve the desired force.

Sanding and polishing cobots

The smooth surfaces achieved through finishing processes such as polishing, sanding, buffing, and grinding do much more than refining aesthetics and creating products that are pleasant to the touch. They improve product safety by making surfaces easier to clean, reducing susceptibility to corrosion, increasing wear resistance, minimizing friction in moving parts, and enhancing adhesion for coatings. However, human workers often face fatigue and physical strain while finishing products, which can hinder their ability to maintain consistency in these delicate processes. This compromises product quality and leads to defects.

While traditional automation systems for finishing can be rigid and costly, collaborative robots (cobots) provide a flexible solution. Easily reprogrammable to adapt to changing production needs, cobots not only enhance workplace safety but also empower manufacturers to respond swiftly to market demands, ensuring high-quality finishes and enhanced efficiency.

Sanding and polishing cobots in action

Increase production

Paradigm Electronics, a high-performance speaker manufacturer, faced output and efficiency threats due to the high demand for its labor-intensive Midnight Cherry finish. By adopting UR10 cobots, the company transformed the process with a pendulum workflow that lets humans oversee robotic polishing and leveraged the built-in force mode to prevent surface overheating. The result: a 50% increase in throughput, a streamlined finishing process, and a safer, more productive environment.

Automate legacy processes

All Axis Machining faced challenges automating legacy machinery, leading to costly downtime and labor shortages. After discovering the open integration capabilities of UR cobots, the company quickly automated six operations, including CNC machine-tending, sanding, and deburring, boosting spindle uptime from 8 to 20 hours daily. This success prompted All Axis to launch a new service, helping other machine shops integrate UR cobots into legacy systems.

Improve ergonomics

Conventional automation posed a threat to the craftsmanship identity of Pentik, the world’s northernmost ceramic factory, based in Finland. By implementing just two UR10 cobots, the company scaled its production, boosted workstation efficiency tenfold, and preserved the unique handmade feel of its products—all while enhancing workspace ergonomics.

Safety

The final finishing touches on a product are crucial for achieving its optimal shape, appearance, functionality, and overall quality. Consistency in this stage is vital - variations in pressure, speed, or angle during sanding, polishing, or glazing can affect everything from visual appeal to usability, longevity, and performance. Cobots maintain performance for extended periods without being at risk of contracting health issues from exposure to toxic chemicals, and meet quality standards and scale production effectively.

Automated artistry

Achieving quality standards has never been easier, thanks to versatile, compact, and user-friendly collaborative robots that deliver consistent results with pinpoint accuracy. From delicate finishing tasks to robust applications in metal fabrication, Universal Robots empowers businesses to amplify their operations while preserving the artisanal touch that differentiates them from competitors.

Complete your cobot

Our collaborative, industrial robots require add-ons to reach their full potential. This worlds of additional products in an entire ecosystem on its own. We at Universal Robots take the high pride in our ecosystem, which is called UR+.

Application kits

Application kits are useful for those who can install their own solution but are looking for a compatible set of end-effectors, software and other accessories

Components

Components are single products that can be combined with our UR robot to create an entire solution. This includes items such end-effectors, 7th axis, software or teach pendants.

Solutions

Solutions are flexible and easy to integrate and typically allow for variation in the choice of grippers and all the necessary accessories. These pre-assembled packages are ideal if you are looking for a plug-and-play solution with low risk, a manageable budget and on-site setup.

Tried. Tested. Trusted.

Universal Robots has deployed over 90,000 cobots into every manufacturing industry. Companies of all sizes, from Fortune 500 giants to local contract machine shops, are leveraging our 6th generation cobots to increase productivity and quality and improve job satisfaction for their manufacturing teams.

Flexible

UR cobots meet the demands for flexibility head-on with industry-leading ease-of-use, intuitive programming, and a powerful back-end for OEMs and developers to add value and meet specific needs. UR cobot-based systems generate ROI that is usually measured in months, not years.

Worker-safe, worker-friendly

Universal Robots has developed the most complete set of safety tools and functions in the industry. Our safety protocols can be configured to meet the varied safety requirements of your plant or facilities and your application risk assessment, letting your manufacturing team work safely side-by-side with UR cobots.

Get in touch with Universal Robots

Thousands of businesses rely on Collaborative Robots to...

- Increase productivity
- Adapt to changing product demand
- Improve employee well-being and retention
- Staff through labor shortages