“Our customers are facing challenges such as an ageing workforce and a shortage of skilled labour. We believe that Light Robotics offers a flexible and sustainable approach to meet these challenges,” said Sebastian-Dag Schwarze, Sales Engineer at Broetje-Automation Group. “These systems are not only applicable to aerospace – they are adaptable to any sector that requires precision, efficiency and ergonomics.”

In a recent project for the aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector, Broetje-Automation used a Light Robotics system to tackle the labour-intensive sanding of aircraft panels for inspection and repair.

The system streamlines the process, reducing physical strain on workers and increasing productivity. “Health and safety is a critical factor when sanding aircraft panels,” explains Sebastian-Dag Schwarze. “The manual sanding process requires extensive worker protection. The integrated extraction function of our system allowed sanding to be carried out without the need for enclosed spaces – a significant advantage for our customer”. The force-controlled robotic end-effector with its cardanic suspension also led to significant improvements in sanding quality, ensuring a stable process with constant pressure and optimised surface contact.

“We believe that light robotics applications are just beginning to show their full potential,” says Schwarze. “One of the biggest advantages is the “no code” programming capability of these systems. Thanks to a simple mechanism in the end effector of the system, the worker does not need any programming skills to operate the system. The entire programming process can be done by simply placing the end-effector on the workpiece. “We don’t think of it as a traditional automated system, but rather as a tool that the operator can use in a variety of ways”.

Broetje-Automation’s Light Robotics solutions are versatile and adaptable to a wide range of industrial applications, including

• Sanding: Automates surface preparation tasks. The integrated extraction system eliminates the need for enclosed work areas, improving workflow efficiency.
• Drilling, fastening and sealing: Provides precision and consistency for high quality and efficiency in flexible part applications.
• Inspection and multi-system management: Improves production visibility and quality assurance across industries

Designed with user-friendly interfaces, these systems require short training times, enabling companies in any sector to adopt them seamlessly. Comprehensive safety protocols ensure safe human-robot collaboration, further enhancing workplace ergonomics and accessibility.

Light Robotics solutions are changing the way industries approach automation, offering flexibility and scalability to adapt to different operational needs. By addressing ergonomic challenges and promoting a sustainable workforce, these solutions ensure that companies remain competitive in a rapidly evolving world.

More information: Cobot Sanding