ABB Robotics has launched its first totally automated sanding and sharpening cell – the OmniVance Collaborative Floor Ending Cell, empowering a brand new wave of producers to automate key floor ending duties, similar to sanding and sharpening.
Craig McDonnell, managing director enterprise line industries, ABB Robotics, says: “A rising variety of firms need to automate processes similar to sanding and sharpening, however many smaller companies lack in-house robotics experience – so whereas they should ship good high quality each time, till now, many haven’t had an answer that matches their wants.
“Many companies are cautious of investing in advanced, bespoke automation, whereas off-the-shelf instruments lack the scalability and functionality they require. With our new OmniVance Collaborative Floor Ending Cell, we’re introducing industrial-grade robotics in a easy, inexpensive, and scalable resolution.”
Floor ending is a essential step in manufacturing throughout nearly each trade, however companies are dealing with twin pressures of extra advanced manufacturing calls for and a scarcity of expert labor. Projections from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute point out 1.9 million manufacturing jobs can be unfilled by 2033.
ABB Robotics says its OmniVance Collaborative Floor Ending Cell bridges the hole between custom-made automation and entry-level instrument kits with its turnkey resolution, utilizing a GoFa collaborative robotic to execute high-quality, precision floor ending, with out the necessity for robotics experience.

The cell is solely self-contained, delivered as a whole plug-and-play resolution, together with the GoFa cobot and security parts. The European normal CE-certified cell doesn’t require any extra engineering to modify on and start manufacturing, and the straightforward addition of latest instruments and equipment makes it extremely adaptable in high-mix environments.
By automating repetitive sanding and sharpening duties, the cell will increase throughput and reduces the standard scrap and rework, saving time, effort, and prices.
Built-in mud extraction readiness helps preserve a clear, wholesome work setting whereas additional enhancing completed product high quality. Automation additionally reduces bodily pressure and frees expert staff to focus on extra beneficial duties.
Matching the brand new cell’s industrial-grade high quality and effectivity is its operational simplicity, enabled by ABB Robotics’ intuitive software program developed to control your entire ending course of. Its tablet-style interface is user-friendly for these with out robotics experience and wishes no customized programming.
Options similar to lead-through 3D path recording, 2D preset path creation, and intuitive path enhancing, built-in into Wizard Straightforward Programming blocks, can scale back programming time by as much as 90%.
ABB says the OmniVance Collaborative Floor Ending Cell demonstrates how collaborative robots can ship application-specific options that increase competitiveness, even for companies and operators who’re new to robotics.
