Linear-motion systems and gantry robot manufacturer Güdel supplies to automotive, aerospace, and heavy industry spaces needing to move, position, and otherwise handle large and heavy workpieces. Check out these past articles from the Design World network on their linear tracks, 7th-axis RTUs, gantries, and other multi-axis motion systems (including those designed around hardened steel rack-and-pinion drives):
Güdel extends collaborative robot reach with CoboMover
Güdel forms Güdel Americas for customer support
Güdel gantry robots add gentle touch to bakery automation
Güdel advances linear motion expertise
This year at the Automate Show, Güdel will showcase integrated vertical and horizontal motion for grinding.
In fact, the grinding and surface finishing of fabricated parts is a classic dull, dirty, and dangerous (3D) application primed for robotic automation. Until now, automating large-fabrication grinding necessitated many robots and complex part repositioning — costly and time-consuming and risking variations in the process.
At Güdel’s Booth #1806, the company will demonstrate how it’s overcoming these issues by adding two additional degrees of freedom to heavy-duty grinding applications. By integrating its TrackMotion Vertical TMV and TrackMotion Floor TMF systems, Güdel lets a single robot maintain consistent contact pressure and path speed across massive surfaces that would otherwise require multiple robots or complex part repositioning.
Unlike standard stationary setups, Güdel’s multi-axis motion systems provide three key strategic advantages for the shop floor.
A single robot can service an entire large work envelope, eliminating the need for multiple fixed units and simplifying cell design, safety, and controls.
By keeping the robot in a favorable working posture, the system minimizes joint extremes and wear, ensuring repeatability during long, high-force grinding cycles.
Designed specifically for abrasive environments, the track systems protect critical components and position the robot away from aggressive debris zones typical of grinding operations.
“Expanding the robot’s workspace isn’t just a helpful addition; it’s the factor that finally makes automation feasible for large, difficult-to-reach parts,” said Brenda Courim, Director of Sales and Marketing at Güdel US. “The combination of vertical lift and long horizontal travel provides a practical production solution that can be updated through software as part designs evolve, rather than requiring expensive mechanical rework.”
The primary demonstration at the Automate Show features a FANUC R-1000 robot equipped with a grinding end-of-arm tool. The robot is mounted on a TMV system, which is itself integrated into a TMF track. This specific application was developed by systems integrator Titan Robotics to solve the challenges of grinding large weldments for a major off-road equipment manufacturer.
“Applications like this show how manufacturers can overcome the challenges of traditional robotic grinding,” said FANUC America V.P. Lou Finazzo. “By combining FANUC’s robot performance with Güdel’s vertical and floor-mounted motion, customers gain the reach, stability, and process consistency needed to automate large, demanding grinding applications.”
Learn more at gudel.com.
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