The Mirka AIROS, the first smart electric sander designed for robotic sanding applications, is now joined by new models: the Mirka AIOS sanding heads and the Mirka AIROP polishing head. In addition, the AIROS is available in a new small size.

Industry automation is a growing trend, and various sectors – including automotive, transportation and woodworking – are seeing a clear need for a complete package for automated processes. As a specialist in surface finishing technology, Mirka says it is at the forefront of innovation, introducing new robotic solutions for manufacturing.

When a square sander is needed, Mirka offers the AIOS 353CV with an 81 x 133 mm pad suitable for surfaces and corners alike. In the wood sector, such as in manufacturing furniture, doors and windows, the AIOS 353CV can be used to drive up productivity and finishing quality with robotic precision.

The new AIOS, AIROS and AIROP versions are engineered for robotised finessing; for ensuring consistent quality while saving time. For sanding, Mirka is aiming its AIOS 130NV at spot repair work in an automated process, such as those in automobile and transport manufacturing. The Mirka AIROS 150NV is the smallest AIROS sanding head yet, meant for more confined spaces, detail work and the sanding of small areas where manufacturers need workpiece de-flashing or deburring.

Mirka’s AIROP 312NV is a random orbital polisher with an electric polishing head for robot usage. Featuring a 77 mm pad, the AIROP 312NV is a robotic alternative for Mirka’s cordless polishers, and is well matched with Mirka’s polishing pads and compounds.

For further information
www.mirka.com

The services offered by Murr-based B+S Metallbearbeitung GmbH include operations like deburring, polishing, shot blasting, part cleaning and packaging. B+S handles a broad range of workpieces with different shapes, made from different materials, requiring different finishes and coming from all kinds of industries. To ensure ongoing quality and on-time deliveries in a cost-effective manner, this progressive service company utilises modern equipment and consumables from Rösler.

Mustafa Sahin general manager explains why he selected Rösler machines: “I was impressed by the broad equipment range and the engineering of the high-performance machines, which can be utilised for all kinds of finishing tasks. Another important consideration was that Rösler produces all of its mass finishing consumables in-house. This means that equipment, media and compound can be perfectly adapted to our requirements and that I can resort anytime to the experience and know-how of the Rösler test lab.”

In 2008, Sahin decided to purchase a Rösler R425/6600 DA linear, continuous-flow mass-finishing vibratory tub. In subsequent years, the company purchased two additional continuous flow machines, 14 rotary vibrators and three centrifugal disk finishing machines, all from Rösler.

Again in 2008, the entrepreneur invested in a Rösler shot-blast machine to expand his service package. Through continuous expansion of its shot-blasting job shop services, B+S Metallbearbeitung has since purchased six additional shot-blast machines from Rösler.

“Generally, shot-blast equipment is subject to significant wear, so we sell our machines after 3 to 5 years, which allows us to remain up-to-date and offer our customers the best possible results at competitive prices,” says Sahin, who also takes advantage of Rösler workpiece cleaning solutions.

For further information
www.rosler.com

Wheelabrator has launched new digital tools to help customers reduce cost around three key areas of the blast process: abrasive consumption, energy use, and maintenance and downtime. The tools were built using Norican’s Monitizer software and NoriGate hardware, both already proven on equipment at sister companies DISA and StrikoWestofen, and are available for many existing and all new Wheelabrator machines.

Heinrich Dropmann, senior VP – global wheel at Wheelabrator, says: “Digital technologies allow us to make the blast process more transparent than ever before and optimise it accordingly. We’ve been working with a select group of pilot customers to identify the applications that would make the biggest difference to their productivity and profitability, and quickly zeroed in on these three. The digital tools we’ve developed enable customers to pinpoint the parameters that drive abrasive consumption, energy use and wear in their specific operational setting – and then do something about it. They can very quickly get a much better handle on their blasting cost, without impacting the volume or quality of their outputs.”

The three tools can be deployed as stand-alone solutions or plugged into a wider Industry 4.0 system – be it from Norican, customer-built or from another supplier. The NoriGate data gateway extracts data from each machine – from the control system and from sensors – while the Monitizer software collects, visualises and analyses it in customisable dashboards.

“This is not about collecting data for the sake of it,” states Dropmann. “As experts on the blast process, we can select the right data points to track, so we can combine them meaningfully and in a way that gives us insights into what’s running at optimum and what isn’t. It gives customers the data they need to continuously improve the process and save some money along the way.”

For further information
www.wheelabratorgroup.com