HUNTSVILLE (AP) — Aerobotix and Manufacturing Automation Systems (MAS), two leading FANUC robot integrators, announced they will demonstrate intelligent adaptive sanding at Automate 2024 in Chicago, Illinois, from May 6-9. This innovative technology marks a significant advancement in the robotic sanding process, promising part quality control and time saving in the path programming process.

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A robot scans a component using MAS’s QC Plus software which will create and adapt custom paths to sand, a new process in robotics called intelligent adaptive sanding.

MAS’s cutting-edge QC Plus software allows the robot to scan a component, create custom paths, and adapt it with zero input from a robot operator. Integrating with FerRobotics’ patented Active Compliant Technology (ACT) enables the robot to use varying force when sanding, delivering the best quality.

“With the help of MAS, we are giving the robot ‘eyes’ to go sand where it needs to,” said Josh Tuttle, business development manager at Aerobotix. “Instead of having a baseline program, telling the robot to run so many times across a component, it can scan, create custom paths, and focus only on points that require sanding.”

This will be the first public demonstration, which has been specifically designed for the aerospace sector. Collaboration efforts came in response to manufacturers’ struggles in reaching desired net shape, time constraints, and lack of workforce.

“We’re excited for this breakthrough and the opportunity to showcase our software capabilities to not only the robot industry but also the aerospace manufacturing community,” says Jacob Cipriano, engineering manager at MAS. “This collaborative effort could not have come at a better time, and we know the impact it can have for manufacturing.”

Aerobotix will offer a demonstration each day at Automate booth no.1807.