Solid Surface Composite

Automated robotic sanding of bathtubs

MARLAN B.V.
SOLID SURFACE PRODUCTS SINCE 1986

Headquarters: Leek, Netherlands

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PROCESS

66%
RELIEF
OF PERSONNEL

75%
TIME SAVINGS

24/7
Industry-
proven

Scope
of work

OPTIMIZING AUTOMATED SANDING

  Solid Surface bathtub sanding
  Slow and exhausting manual labor
  Optimizing existing automation
  Fast robotic sanding without rework
  Enormous time savings

Material: Solid Surface (Composite)

"DUE TO THE CONSTANT AND FAST PROCESSING WITH THE ACF-K, THE AUTOMATED SANDING HAS BEEN MINIMIZED FROM 5-6 HOURS TO ONLY 1 HOUR 20 MIN."

Rik Heerema,
CEO,
Marlan B.V.

INITIAL SITUATION

The number of solid surface parts from 30 - 40 (shower floors, washbasins, and bathtubs) in the beginning has now increased to around 900. Sanding takes up about 80% of the demanding, repetitive manual work, so it has been automated 3,5 years ago. However, the robotic sanding tools previously used did not meet the desired processing time and quality targets. An alternative was sought and found with market leader FerRobotics.

THE PROCESS

The sanding processes before were all unsatisfying because the conventional force/torque-sensor technology was not sufficient for this type of surface finishing. With the force/torque tools, they lost speed, had problems with the touchdown, and the contact force was always too low or irregular. But now the cobot, in combination with the FerRobotics ACF-K end-effector and its patented Active Compliant Technology, accomplishes the desired goals. The new, now possible, faster robot speed of 250 mm/second and the constant contact force of the sanding tool were essential to the success.

THE AUTOMATION

It wouldn't work that fast without FerRobotics' Active Compliant Technology. The cobot no longer stops and the FerRobotics ACF-K sands the complex surface of the bathtub perfectly. Easily and fast maintaining contact with the surface with ACT and its 35 mm stroke reports Heerema. Previous tools often lost surface contact, which led to unsightly sanding marks and extra work - that's history now. It was also important for Heerema that the system performs the sanding of solid surface parts without errors 24/7.

THE RESULT

  • Automation process optimization with sensational time savings
  • Perfect surfaces and reproducible quality
  • Optimal use of the abrasive

OUR EXPERTISE = YOUR BENEFIT

We see it as our task to offer you today what will solve your problems tomorrow and increase your competitiveness. Thanks to patented Active Compliant Technology solutions we achieve better results in quality and productivity for all those involved in these processes. You are welcome to receive all details about this project in the form of a fact sheet >>>

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