/ Industrial Automation Gets a New Upgrade with Güdel Grinding Automation.
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Industrial Automation Gets a New Upgrade with Güdel Grinding Automation, This month, Güdel Grinding Automation introduced an innovative robotic grinding system designed to address one of the shortcomings of stationary industrial robots.
The new solution will be presented ahead of Automate 2026, one of the largest automation exhibitions in North America, during which Güdel will show how integrated vertical and horizontal motion systems can change large scale grinding operations.
Güdel Grinding Automation targets some of the most difficult applications within manufacturing processes: grinding and surface finishing.
These processes are often seen as boring, dirty, and potentially hazardous and, therefore, are perfect candidates for automation.
However, large scale manufactured parts proved to be quite tricky to automate using traditional robotic grinding systems due to the need for multiple robots, complicated part repositioning, and a relatively long production cycle.
Güdel Grinding Automation involves combining industrial robots with Güdel’s advanced motion systems and thus enlarges the working envelope of a traditional industrial robot. In contrast to the traditional robotic arm, Güdel solution provides two extra degrees of freedom through the use of Güdel’s TrackMotion Vertical TMV and TrackMotion Floor TMF systems. With these technologies, a single robot can perform grinding tasks both vertically and horizontally while keeping consistent grinding performance across huge surfaces.
According to Güdel, such an approach allows one to use a single robot and ensure that it keeps consistent contact pressure and path speed while working on huge components that normally require multiple robotic cells or numerous repositioning of the part to be ground.
Güdel will showcase the technology at Automate 2026 exhibition, which will take place in Chicago. The demonstration will be presented at Booth 1806, where Güdel will show how its motion systems can enlarge robotic abilities to perform grinding tasks. Automate 2026 is scheduled for late June.
One of the most interesting aspects of the news release is the live demonstration system itself. It includes a FANUC R-1000 industrial robot fitted with a grinding end of arm tool. The robot is mounted on the TrackMotion Vertical system that is integrated with TrackMotion Floor track. This combination forms a highly flexible grinding platform for processing large weldments and oversized fabricated parts.
This application was developed by the systems integrator Titan Robotics to help with the grinding issues of a major manufacturer of off road equipment. Processing large weldments is a very complex process involving either intensive manual grinding or multiple robotic cells. Güdel’s solution aims to simplify this process by expanding robot mobility and reach.
Grinding is one of the most challenging industrial processes, since it implies continuous pressure, proper positioning, and constant movement. Robotic grinding cells are usually limited by the reach and working envelope of industrial robots. When the component to be processed becomes too big, a manufacturer needs either multiple robots or repeated repositioning of the workpiece.
All these steps increase expenses, prolong the cycle time, and make the finishing process variable. Each repositioning operation creates new possibilities for inconsistencies influencing the quality of the product.
According to Güdel, the solution lies in the expansion of the ability of a single robot to perform the grinding tasks through the use of intelligent motion systems.
There are three key advantages of this solution, according to the manufacturer. The first one is the reduction of capital expenses since a single robot can cover much bigger work envelope. It helps to avoid multiple purchases of robotic cells.
Another benefit is process stability ensured by keeping a robot in a favorable posture and thus reducing joint extremes and wear during the grinding process. This leads to better surface quality and production consistency.
The third advantage is maximum uptime in harsh environment since grinding process produces abrasive dust that may cause damage to the equipment. Güdel’s track systems are protected against it and allow positioning robots in the safest area from the dust produced by grinding operations.
The technology has plenty of applications in various industrial sectors.
Heavy equipment manufacturers can use it for processing large weldments and fabricated parts. Aerospace companies can use it for precise surface finishing of structural parts. Automotive suppliers can benefit from the process of grinding requiring a high level of repeatability and consistency. There are many other industries such as energy, industrial machinery, and metal fabrication sectors, which can also find it useful.
As labor shortages start affecting the production processes in manufacturing all over the world, new automation solutions increasing productivity while reducing manual labor become crucially important.
The launch of Güdel Grinding Automation shows the current tendencies in the field of industrial automation, when manufacturers are more and more moving from independent robotic workstations to complete motion ecosystems combining robotics, linear tracks, software, and intelligent control systems.
Adding vertical and horizontal motion to industrial robots can significantly enlarge automation possibilities without complicating the systems themselves. Such approach allows manufacturing companies to increase productivity and reduce expenses while preserving quality.
The new Güdel Grinding Automation shows more than just another grinding solution. It is a clear example of how industrial robotics evolves in modern manufacturing. Instead of solving production problems by adding new equipment, manufacturing companies try to find out how to make their existing robotic platforms more efficient.
TheTweaks has recently featured a number of articles about next generation robotics, AI powered manufacturing systems, and innovations demonstrated at industrial exhibitions. The current news release perfectly fits into this tendency, showing how the cooperation of motion systems and robotics can solve the problems of manufacturing processes.
With further investments into automation and smart factory technologies, such solutions as Güdel Grinding Automation can play a crucial role in the future of manufacturing.
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