New robot precision polishing – first of its kind
STRECON has developed a new universal robot solution for 3D high precision polishing of metal forming tools and injection molds. This revolutionary technology – revealed at automatica this week – reduces time-consuming, monotonous and repetitive work by transferring complex manual work into a machine, optimising working conditions and ensuring consistent quality and process management.
STRECON recently completed their new pioneering 3D robot precision polishing solution: RAP (Robot Assisted Polishing). The RAP solution delivers precise ball polishing of tools and molds with 3D geometries that require fine and exact surface finish – something which no other machine can do when it comes to high precision polishing, according to STRECON. The solution also comes with a new control system.
“Our solution sets itself apart from other polishing solutions using functions such as Teach, as the RAP system ensures high precision polishing – which can’t be obtained using Teach functions or other conventional robot programming. To ensure high precision polishing we use CAD/CAM – before programming the specific polishing process, making this method the first of its kind,” says Erik Lund, Managing Director and Owner of STRECON.
The Sonderborg-based company has worked with robotic polishing solutions for many years, both with 2D and now also complex tools and industrial parts in 3D that need to fit together without errors in dimension and surface. This could for example be molds for injection of plastics and compounds, machine components and tools for metal forming operations.
Robot Assisted Polishing
Due to the complexity of precision polishing, STRECON developed the RAP system designed for high-quality surface polishing.
“Precision polishing is a skill that requires great focus and accuracy and is taxing and troublesome work, even for highly trained polishers. RAP is based on the skills and profession of manual polishing, which is then transferred to an industrial robot carrying the polishing tool. By transferring this time-consuming, monotonous and repetitive work to the RAP system, companies can create better work environment, produce consistent quality and replication as well as ensure data security and process management throughout the value chain,” says Erik Lund.
Collaboration through innovation project
The new precision polishing solution was developed by STRECON in collaboration with ALSMATIK, where also the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) took part – all through the project Digital Omstilling – Innovationssamarbejder, run by Odense Robotics and Business Hub Fyn.
While STRECON was in charge of process development and mechanical development, ALSMATIK provided control management, and SDU conducted simulations for the understanding of the new ball polishing technique.
“The innovation project provided us with the opportunity to dive into new tech development. Thanks to the financing, collaboration and project guidance, we could explore the development of uncharted technology, which would have been too expensive to explore otherwise,” says Erik Lund.
STRECON is participating in automatica in Munich this week, where they will present their new system, which is set to hit the market. The team can be found at the Danish Pavillion, facilitated by Odense Robotics and the Trade Council.