Eckhart Grows Specialty Automation Capability With 3M and KUKA
February 18 2020 - 3:30AM
Business Wire
Eckhart, an Industry 4.0 solutions provider, today announced
participation in the 3M (NYSE:MMM) Robotics Network with a focus on
the automation of metal finishing processes using KUKA’s innovative
ready2_grind pre-configured and coordinated application package.
All three companies seek to grow the role of robots as an
alternative to the manual deburring, polishing, and grinding of
components that dominate the factory floors of agricultural &
mining equipment manufacturers, medical device makers, and defense
companies. The 3M Robotics Network centralizes best practices and
increases awareness in the industrial market for what has
historically been considered a niche robotic application.
Eckhart’s participation in the 3M Robotics Network builds upon
their existing relationship with 3M which includes the successful
co-development of the 3M™ Automated Taping System (ATS), a
collaborative robot-based solution for tape application.
“At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve life.
Transforming metal by grinding, sanding, and deburring is a harsh
process traditionally done by humans, but one that’s increasingly
suited for off-the-shelf automation. We see a significant
opportunity to define and grow the ecosystem of abrasive process
experts and automation providers in order to ultimately deliver
real value to 3M customers,” said Matthew Purdin, 3M Global
Robotics Marketing Manager. “The Robotics Network contains a small
number of preferred integrators, like Eckhart, that have
demonstrated a high capability in the space and see the opportunity
in the marketplace like we do.”
Daniel Burseth, Eckhart’s Vice President of Business
Development, adds, “Eckhart is excited to grow our relationship
with 3M and KUKA in a new way. The market reaction to the 3M™
Automated Taping System has been fantastic, and we see similar
potential to grow the role of abrasive process automation within
our Fortune 500 customer base.”
Eckhart designs, builds, and sustains custom automation systems
for the world’s largest manufacturers and expects the chronic labor
shortage in the manufacturing sector to accelerate. “When factory
leaders evaluate which positions are hardest to fill, they find few
applicants interested in pushing a grinder around a weldment for 10
hours a day,” Burseth continues. “This quality of life
consideration, coupled with the ease of a pre-configured solution
like ready2_grind, make this collaboration a very exciting
opportunity for Eckhart and our customers.”
Ready2_grind is the latest offering in KUKA’s ready2_use
collection of pre-configured and coordinated application packages.
Alongside offerings like ready2_spray and ready2_spot, ready2_grind
bundles years of best practices into an integrated solution
consisting of a KUKA robot & 3M grinding tool, abrasive, and
process expertise. “We believe that ready2_grind drastically
simplifies the effort to automate. Component selection and
integration, as well as the method for process development, have
all been optimized,” said KUKA Senior VP of Sales & Marketing,
North America, Simon Whitton. “Manufacturers in the welding
industry are looking to improve production rates, and
ready2_grind’s accuracy and precision enable consistent production
and maximum efficiency.”
Integration of ready2_grind through the 3M Robotics Network is
generally available for any manufacturing environment. Learn more
at www.eckhartusa.com
About 3M
3M applies science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily.
With $33 billion in sales, our 93,000 employees connect with
customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative
solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M
or @3MNews.
3M is a trademark of 3M Company.
About Eckhart
For over 60 years and based in Warren, Michigan, Eckhart
designs, builds, and sustains advanced industrial solutions that
enhance the quality of life. Eckhart’s proven portfolio of Industry
4.0 technology includes AUTOCRAFT™ autonomous guided vehicles
(AGVs), collaborative robotic systems, traditional robotics,
assembly line design & simulation, 3D printing tool development
& production, and Factory of the Future consulting for the
world’s largest manufacturers. Eckhart serves an established and
loyal blue-chip customer base of leading automotive and industrial
original equipment manufacturers. Learn more at
www.eckhartusa.com.
About KUKA
KUKA is a global automation corporation with sales of around EUR
3.2 billion and around 14,200 employees. As a leading global
supplier of intelligent automation solutions KUKA offers its
customers everything from a single source: from robots and cells to
fully automated systems and their networking in markets such as
automotive, electronics, general industry, consumer goods,
e-commerce/retail and healthcare. The KUKA Group is headquartered
in Augsburg, Germany.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200218005371/en/
Daniel Burseth, Vice President Eckhart, Inc.
Dburseth(at)eckhartusa.com (847) 881-0436
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