ROBOTIZED WORKSTATION FOR INTELLIGENT SANDING PROCESSES OF WOODEN WORKPIECES

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a workstation to investigate robotic sanding processes of wooden parts. The applied methodology includes the conceptual design of the station, incorporating sensors for online measurement of process variables. The station is controlled by a computer that enables interaction with the robot, controlling the abrasive tool rotating speed, and acquiring and visualizing the process signals. The implemented workstation was used to investigate the influence of the sanding parameters on the process variables. The results established that the grain size and the rotational speed of the sandpaper produce statistically significant variations in the surface finishing. Finally, equations are proposed for relating the surface roughness with the sanding torque and acoustic emission measured during the operation. Keywords: wood sanding; industrial robotics; surface roughness; sanding torque; acoustic emission.