The ARM Institute’s Robotics Manufacturing Hub team recently completed a proof-of-concept demonstration for robotic welding and robotic grinding of welded parts for Keystone Ridge Designs, a leading designer and American manufacturer of commercial-grade site furnishings located in Butler, Pennsylvania. At no-cost to the manufacturer, the Robotics Manufacturing Hub team tested and compared grinding finish results of different abrasive, force, and speed combinations along with robot path planning to not only adapt a manual process to an automated process, but also physically show that the desired quality of finish can be achieved through robotics.
The ARM Institute also compared the results of manual welding vs those achieved with robotic welding. This work culminated with a highly interactive half day in the Robotics Manufacturing Hub lab at the ARM Institute’s Mill 19 facility during which Keystone Ridge leadership and employees saw the results of the proof-of-concept and got hands-on with the robot teach pendant, ensuring that the Keystone Ridge workforce was familiar and ready to work with the robotic solution.
The ARM Institute has put together technical requirements for the robotic solution and is currently helping Keystone Ridge obtain quotes and a best fit for robotic system integrator. All of the work completed to date was free for Keystone Ridge and did not require a commitment to actually installing a system.
Free Services for Manufacturers in Southwestern Pennsylvania Region
Our Robotics Manufacturing Hub is a federally funded, free service for small and medium sized manufacturers in the Pittsburgh region (defined as the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland counties). As a free service part of the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative, our team will work with you to complete a free automation assessment, help you understand where robotics can strengthen your operations, prototype robotics solutions at no cost with no commitment to installation, and help you find a path forward to full integration on your manufacturing floor if you choose to do so.
Why work with us? Our Robotics Manufacturing Hub acts as your free manufacturing research and development department. We’re not selling you services, but rather acting as an extension of your team to improve your global competitiveness and help you understand where robotics can play a role. We’ll help you get hands-on with robotics equipment you may otherwise not be able to access and prepare your workforce to work with a selected solution. We don’t do this alone – the Robotics Manufacturing Hub leverages the ARM Institute’s national network of 400+ member organizations of key robotics and manufacturing experts.
By working with our team, you can be sure that the robotics solution you select will provide you with the highest possible return on investment.
Get Started with Robotics at No-Cost
Complete our form below to connect with our team and see how you can leverage our no-cost resources to prototype robotics solutions for your manufacturing operations! One of our representatives will be in contact with you shortly after you complete the form.
Not sure if you qualify or looking for additional information? Contact us RMHub@arminstitute.org.