ATI Industrial Automation has introduced the AOV-10 that is specifically designed for robotic surface preparation and finishing. "With built-in compliance, the AOV-10 is suited for many different robotic applications-even those that require a light touch," said a company spokesperson.
"A pneumatically-actuated compliance mechanism allows for dynamic control of contact forces and ensures an ideal result every time," continued the spokesperson. "The compliance force is adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of applications. Double-acting motion offsets the weight of the tool to produce the desired finish no matter how it is oriented." Users can mount the AOV-10 directly to their robot or to a fixture, in any orientation, including upside-down. The design is compact and lightweight to suit a range of robot sizes and types, from cobots to industrial models.
ATI's robotic sander is optimized with 3M abrasives and includes a media kit of sanding discs and backup pads, allowing many users to easily implement robotic sanding processes. "The Compliant Orbital Sander is the perfect platform for 3M's wide range of abrasive products," said the spokesperson. "Together they enable users to successfully automate a variety of manual surface preparation and finishing tasks on many types of materials. Robotic sanding and surface treatment with ATI's AOV-10 and 3M media ensures consistent processing using familiar media while keeping workers safe and reducing some uncertainties associated with a new automation project."
"In manual operations, a skilled person's ability to feel and visually inspect subtle changes in surface conditions allows them to instinctively adjust forces to compensate for variations and produce a uniform process on the workpiece," continued the spokesperson. "Manual material removal jobs, often labeled as dull, dirty and dangerous, need responsiveness to ensure consistent results. ATI's provides a direct replacement for manual surface preparation and finishing techniques and offers high quality results without the safety hazards or compromised labor."
Automation with a robot and an AOV-10 end effector also overcomes process variation due to part misalignment, part geometry inconsistency or robot path deviations. "This leads to two main benefits: the programming process becomes quicker and easier; and the overall quality of the process increases, which ultimately drives costs down," said the spokesperson.
"The affordable and flexible Compliant Robotic Sander from ATI streamlines surface preparation processes to increase efficiency, lower costs and eliminate safety hazards," continued the spokesperson. "The ability to integrate an assortment of media options, configure the tool to fit unique projects and vary the air pressure and contact forces on the workpiece make the AOV-10 a uniquely versatile tool for automation."
For more information contact:
ATI Industrial Automation
Pinnacle Park
1031 Goodworth Drive
Apex, NC 27539-3869
919-772-0115
www.ati-ia.com