Robotics in Manufacturing

Application

Edge Finishing

Edge finishing robots smooth, chamfer, or round part edges after cutting or forming, using contour-following force control to keep contact consistent along the profile.

The robot guides a finishing tool along the edge of a part, following its contour closely enough to produce a uniform chamfer or radius rather than an inconsistent hand-finished look.

Force control keeps tool contact steady as the edge profile changes direction, since a fixed-position path would either lose contact on outside curves or dig in on inside corners.

Tool changeover supports parts that need different edge treatments in the same run, and dust extraction keeps the finishing debris away from both the part and the robot's joints.

Common questions

What robots are used for Edge Finishing?
Edge Finishing suits 6-axis industrial, collaborative robots. Examples include FANUC M-20iD/25, Universal Robots UR10e, ABB IRB 2600.
What payload and reach does Edge Finishing need?
Payload is typically 3 to 20 kg with reach around 1200 to 1800 mm.
What matters most for Edge Finishing?
Force-controlled contour following. Tool changeover for different edge treatments. Accurate part fixturing. Dust extraction.

Attribution

Application notes on this page are reviewed for consistency with the site's published robot and process pages.

Edited by Mike Ramsey / Reliable Media.Editorial process