Robotic Sanding & Grinding Workshop for Manufacturers

Join the ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute and Catalyst Connection for a joint workshop on Robotic Sanding & Grinding Applications in Manufacturing. Sanding and finishing manufacturing tasks are ripe for automation and robotics. This workshop will center on the latest advancements in this area, explore case studies showing real-world successful robotics implementations, and provide actionable steps for manufacturers looking to automate these tasks and others.

Specifically, this workshop will:

• Present the business case for robotic sanding/grinding/polishing and how it can help your manufacturing business in the long run
• Give manufacturers with little or no automation/robotics experience an understanding of risk, considerations, and put them on a path to pursue robotic sanding/grinding/polishing
• Present real-world case studies of small and medium manufacturers successful adoption of robotic sanding/grinding
• Showcase live demonstrations of robotic grinding and sanding with the ability to ask questions and network with industry experts in this field
• Connect manufacturers to local grant funded resources to support automation and robotics adoption through ARM Institute Robotics Manufacturing Hub and Catalyst Connection’s Digital Bridge Program

Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no-cost.

Who should attend

This workshop is designed for manufacturers of all sizes in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Small and medium sized manufacturers will find the workshop particularly valuable.

Agenda

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Breakfast and Networking

• Breakfast will be provided.

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM: No Cost Resources for SMMs in the Southwestern PA Region

• Learn how the Southwestern Pennsylvania Region’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge Award supports small and medium sized manufacturers

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM: Use Case Presentation by Premier Automation

• During this session, Premier Automation will explore real-world uses cases, including one where an aluminum casting company wanted to reduce the strain produced on its operators by performing repetitive hand grinding operations on their cast aluminum parts. Finish grinding was identified as the highest ROI for an initial automated system. In this session, Premier Automation will share how they delivered an automated solution that met the customer’s objectives of a reduction in labor strain, repeatable & improved part quality, and higher throughput.

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM: Use Case Presentation by Gray Matter Robotics

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM: Lunch and Networking

• Lunch will be provided.

12:45 PM – 1:45 PM: Panel Discussion: Taking the Risk out of Robotic Sanding and Grinding

• Implementing robotics can come with risks. This expert-led panel discussion will explore common risks associated with automating sanding and grinding, and how to navigate these risks.

1:45 PM – 3:30 PM: Robotics Demonstrations and Technology Vendor Showcase Hall

• Explore live demonstration of robotics sanding and finishing in the ARM Institute’s Robotics Manufacturing Hub. Connect with robotics technology providers through vendor tables.

About the ARM Institute

The ARM Institute is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and is part of the Manufacturing USA® network. The ARM Institute leverages a unique, robust, and diverse ecosystem of 400+ consortium members and partners across industry, academia, and government to make robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers large and small, train and empower the manufacturing workforce, strengthen our economy and global competitiveness, and elevate national security and resilience. Based in Pittsburgh, PA since 2017, with a satellite office in St. Petersburg, FL, the ARM Institute is leading the way to a future where people & robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to produce the world’s most desired products.

Through the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaboration, the region’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge award through the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the ARM Institute helps regional small and medium sized manufacturers evaluate their operations and adopt robotics solutions. The ARM Institute does this through its Robotics Manufacturing Hub located at Mill 19 in Pittsburgh and through Regional Innovation Accelerators.

About Catalyst Connection

Catalyst Connection is a non-profit in Pittsburgh that helps small manufacturers in southwestern Pennsylvania through consulting and training services. They collaborate with clients and the manufacturing community to boost revenue, growth, and productivity. They are supported by various organizations, including the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Hollings Manufacturing Extension

About the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative

The Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative is an 11-county coalition of labor, nonprofit, and university partners advancing the region’s robotics and automation cluster through public-private-philanthropic partnership. The Collaborative is one of 21 winners of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, the marquee initiative of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan, which aims to boost economic recovery from the pandemic and rebuild American communities. The Collaborative was awarded a $62.7 million grant to fund five regional projects focused on robotics adoption and commercialization and related workforce development. Together, these projects are designed to provide long-term opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities in southwestern Pennsylvania to participate in our growing robotics and automation sector and succeed in our evolving economy.

Parking
There are a few outdoor parking options at Mill 19 Hazelwood Green. Street parking is available at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis. Additionally, there is a paid lot located across the property from our building. If you require handicap accessible parking, kindly inform us in advance. Click here to view the map.