DS FlexRC™ SmartCell™ Modular Robotic Surface Finishing Platform
DS FlexRC™ Robotic Surface Finishing Tools
In today's industrial sector, high-quality surface finishing has become an essential core requirement, covering metal processing, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, machinery manufacturing, metal hardware, medical equipment, semiconductors, and 3C electronics among various industries. These industries have increasingly higher standards for surface quality, precision, appearance, and durability, making traditional manual processing unable to meet the stringent production demands. Therefore, integrating robotic automated surface finishing technology has become the key to enhancing manufacturing capabilities.
With the growing global emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), the demand for robotic surface finishing systems is rapidly increasing, addressing the following four key challenges:
The shortage of skilled workers affects production line efficiency. Robotic systems provide stable productivity, reduce reliance on manual labor, and enhance product consistency and precision.
Traditional surface finishing involves dust, noise, and repetitive labor, posing health risks to workers. Robots can reduce human exposure to hazardous environments, improving occupational safety and meeting ESG social responsibility requirements.
Robotic surface finishing technology can enhance production efficiency and product durability, while precisely controlling material usage to reduce waste and lower energy consumption, meeting environmental sustainability goals.
Companies must comply with low-carbon emissions and energy-saving initiatives aligned with global trends. Robotic surface finishing systems effectively reduce production waste and improve resource utilization, enabling companies to achieve ESG goals while strengthening their competitive edge.
By adopting intelligent and automated surface finishing solutions, companies can not only tackle market challenges but also ensure high production efficiency, stable quality, and sustainable environmental development, comprehensively enhancing manufacturing competitiveness.
After forming, casting, welding, or machining, various industrial components typically require deburring, grinding, polishing, cutting refinement, and surface finishing. Traditional manual processes are easily affected by workpiece tolerances, surface contours, material properties, tool wear, and operator skill level, resulting in limited production efficiency, quality fluctuations, and operational safety risks.
With over 11 years of experience in robotic surface finishing technology, DS integrates FlexRC™ compliance force control tools, modular processing equipment, Robotmaster® offline programming, automatic TCP calibration, and turnkey system integration capabilities. Depending on different materials, workpiece shapes, and surface quality requirements, DS provides a complete solution ranging from process development and tool selection to path planning and equipment setup.
We offer two standardized robotic surface finishing systems to meet different workpiece sizes and application needs: the RTH-2TP handheld tool type is suitable for large workpieces, flexibly handling complex surfaces and detailed grinding; the RWH-3DF handheld workpiece type is suitable for small workpieces, ideal for mass production and improved processing efficiency. In addition, the SmartCore Edge Box management system uses AI-powered intelligent monitoring and data analysis to track equipment status in real time, analyze failure risks, reduce unplanned downtime, and enhance production line stability.
The systems are suitable for metals, plastics, ceramics, carbon fiber composites, and other engineering materials, and are widely used in industries such as casting, precision manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, low Earth orbit satellites, semiconductor equipment, and high-tech manufacturing.
| Category | Robotic Automated Surface Finishing | Manual Surface Finishing |
| Production Efficiency | Operates 24/7 continuously, suitable for large-scale standardized production | Suitable for small-batch, diverse products, but efficiency is limited |
| Processing Precision | Compliance Force Control technology ensures stable processing, improving consistency and quality | Relies on worker experience, suitable for fine detail work but lacks consistency |
| Standardization & Reproducibility | Automation ensures consistent quality and reduces errors | Manual operation varies, making stable quality difficult to ensure |
| Adaptability to Different Shapes & Materials | Utilizes TCP calibration + Robotmaster offline programming, adaptable to most regular-shaped workpieces, but manual finishing is still required for small intricate areas | Flexible in handling complex surfaces and fine details, suitable for specialized workpieces |
| Suitability for Small-Batch, High-Mix Production | Ideal for standardized workpieces with medium-to-high production volume but requires longer implementation time | Best for small-batch, high-mix manufacturing with no need for programming adjustments |
| Labor Demand | Reduces dependence on skilled workers by over 70%, though manual finishing is still needed | Fully relies on skilled workers, leading to high training and management costs |
| Work Environment & Safety | Reduces exposure to dust, noise, and repetitive labor, improving occupational health | Workers are exposed to dust and noise for extended periods, posing significant health risks |
| Flexibility & Adaptability | Best suited for large-scale standardized production, though some details still require manual intervention | Highly flexible for different products, but processing time is longer |
| Maintenance & Operational Stability | AI predictive maintenance (SmartCore Edge Box) reduces unplanned downtime and enhances stability | Manual monitoring is required, as wear and tear cannot be detected in real time |
| Cost-Effectiveness | Reduces long-term labor and material costs, though initial investment is high | Lower initial investment but higher labor and management costs |
| Environmental & ESG Compliance | Reduces energy consumption, material waste, and carbon emissions | Higher material waste with limited environmental control |
| Application Scenarios | Ideal for metal processing, automotive, aerospace, tool manufacturing, and medical equipment industries | Best suited for manual fine finishing and specialized product manufacturing |
Robotic automated surface finishing ≠ replacing manual work, but rather improving standardization and production efficiency. Companies should consider production volume, product characteristics, labor, and cost factors to determine the optimal grinding method, and may adopt a hybrid model combining automation with manual finishing to achieve maximum efficiency and quality.
DS FlexRC™ SmartCell™ integrates a complete range of FlexRC™ active and passive compliance force control tools, abrasive belt grinding equipment, modular processing tools, electric spindles, and automatic tool and abrasive paper/belt changing systems, offering two standardized surface finishing architectures: robotic tool handling and robotic workpiece handling.
Each workstation can be flexibly configured with processing tools, consumables, tool-changing modules, lubrication systems, and peripheral equipment based on workpiece material, size, processing type, surface quality, and capacity requirements, supporting a wide range of applications including deburring, grinding, polishing, weld seam finishing, and surface refinement. DS offers standardized modules for system integrators and end customers to build independently, as well as turnkey solutions covering process development, tool selection, equipment configuration, and system delivery.
Dual-Station Robotic Tool Handling Surface Finishing Workstation
Dual-station alternating operation, improving equipment utilization
Integrated automatic tool changing and abrasive paper/belt changing modules
Suitable for deburring, grinding, polishing, and weld seam finishing
Modular Robotic Workpiece Handling Surface Finishing Workstation
Robot grips the workpiece for sequential processing with multiple tools
Suitable for high-mix low-volume, multi-item, and complex surface processing
Flexibly integrates feeding, abrasive paper changing, and grinding modules
Collaborative Robot Compact Surface Finishing Workstation
Can coexist with manual work environments, lowering the barrier to automation adoption
Flexible deployment, suitable for small workstations and production lines requiring high flexibility
Suitable for fine surface finishing, supporting deburring, grinding, and polishing of small parts
Automatic Abrasive Paper Changing System
Automatic Abrasive Belt Changing System
Robotic Workpiece Handling Automatic Abrasive Paper Changing System
Customized Robotic Surface Finishing System
DS FlexRC™ active and passive compliance force control tool technology. DS FlexRC™ offers a complete platform of active and passive compliance force control tools, covering radial, axial, angular, parallel-axial, and multi-directional compliance control, compatible with abrasive paper, abrasive belts, flap wheels, electric spindles, and cutting tools.
The complete tool lineup can be flexibly selected based on processing direction, contact force, tool load, workpiece geometry, and process requirements, widely supporting applications such as deburring, grinding, polishing, cutting refinement, weld seam treatment, and surface finishing, enhancing the stability, flexibility, and quality consistency of robotic surface finishing.
Compliance Force Control Surface Finishing Tools
Robotic Abrasive Belt Grinders
Provides FlexRC™ compliance force control tools, abrasive belt equipment, electric spindles, and automatic changing modules, supporting flexible configuration and self-integration
Configures tool-handling or workpiece-handling SmartCell™ based on material, size, and capacity requirements, quickly building a dedicated surface finishing station
Covers process testing, path planning, automation integration, trial production verification, and installation, providing a complete ready-to-produce solution
RTH-2TP adopts a robotic tool handling architecture paired with a dual-station rotary positioning platform, allowing workpiece loading and unloading to be completed on one side while processing continues on the other, effectively reducing robot idle time and improving equipment utilization.
The system features standardized machine bases and modular process design, allowing flexible configuration of FlexRC™ compliance force control tools, automatic tool changing systems, the ASC4-RTH automatic abrasive paper changer, the ABSC4-RTH automatic abrasive belt changer, electric spindles, and other process modules based on workpiece size, material properties, processing range, and surface quality requirements. It is suitable for a wide range of applications including deburring, weld seam finishing, grinding, polishing, cutting refinement, and surface finishing.
Synchronized Dual-Station Operation
Automatic Tool and Consumable Changing
Precision Grinding and Polishing of Complex Surfaces
Flexible Modular Expansion
Configurable Electric Spindle Processing
Supports RTH-2TP／RTH-2P, compatible with LCZ／LRCZ and BSA400／BSA800 series tools. Configurable with up to 4 consumable sets using external reloading, automatically completing abrasive paper／belt changes to improve efficiency and maintenance convenience.
FlexRC™ compliance force control tools
BL Autotec robotic quick-change device
Dust collection system
ASC4-RTH / ABSC4-RTH automatic abrasive paper / belt changing system
Electric spindle with automatic tool and consumable changing system
Robotmaster® offline programming and calibration
DSmartCore™ smart manufacturing platform integration
Deburring
Weld Seam Grinding
Machining
Polishing
General Grinding
Cutting
Brushed Finish
Surface Finishing
After weld seam grinding, the pipe surface roughness is processed simultaneously to ensure a uniform and consistent surface quality. Upon measurement, the surface roughness (Ra) can reach 1.3, making it suitable for direct liquid coating application, enhancing the final product's appearance and durability.
RWH-3DF adopts a robotic workpiece handling architecture in which the robot grips the workpiece and sequentially moves it through different fixed grinding, polishing, and surface finishing stations, making it suitable for small to medium-sized workpieces, high-mix low-volume production, and complex surface processing.
The system features a modular station design, allowing flexible configuration of FlexRC™ compliance force control tools, EBS abrasive belt grinding equipment, flap wheels/polishing wheels, the ASC4-RWH automatic abrasive paper changer, workpiece flipping, vision positioning, and the AFS-3D automatic feeding module according to the processing workflow. Through automatic station switching and automatic abrasive paper changing, the system can continuously complete coarse grinding, fine grinding, polishing, and surface finishing, balancing changeover flexibility, cycle time, and consistent surface quality.
Integrated Multi-Station Processing
High-Efficiency Mass Production
Flexible Expandable Architecture
Automatic Feeding and Station Transfer
Automatic Consumable Changing
Depending on workpiece size, the rack can stack 5-6 layers, significantly improving vertical space utilization and reducing the system footprint.
The trolley enables fast batch transfer of workpieces, ensuring smooth workpiece flow, reducing manual handling, and improving overall efficiency.
Supports RWH-3DF, compatible with LCZ300／LRCZ300 grinding tools. Configurable with up to 4 different abrasive paper sizes, automatically completing tool and abrasive paper changes, suitable for multi-item unmanned production.
AFS-3D multi-layer automatic feeding system
Dust extraction and collection interface
Workpiece flipping and station transfer module
EBS Series robotic abrasive belt grinding station
ToolStand-4GT + FlexRC™ tool rack and surface finishing tools
ASC4-RWH automatic abrasive paper changing interface
DS SmartCore™ / Robotmaster® system integration interface
Deburring
Drilling
Polishing
General Grinding
Cutting
Surface Finishing
This equipment is a surface finishing platform designed for large workpieces. It precisely processes the peripheral structures and bases of semiconductor equipment and is widely used in aerospace, aviation, yachts, and ship surface finishings.
Equipped with the full range of DS FlexRC tools, it meets various surface finishing needs, including grinding, polishing, and deburring. In continuous automated production environments, an optional automatic sandpaper replacement system enables seamless, continuous production, improving efficiency and ensuring stable surface quality. RSFinC not only enhances processing precision but also significantly reduces manual intervention, making production more consistent and reliable while meeting stringent surface finishing standards across industries.
Although modern injection molds have minimized burr formation, large injection-molded parts such as baskets, pallets, and automotive components still inevitably have burrs and residual runners. Manual deburring for large workpieces is inefficient and places a significant physical strain on workers.
The DS FlexRC tool enables robots to easily replace manual labor, reducing barriers to industrial upgrading and transformation.
Mass-produced machined components require extensive deburring work, with higher appearance standards compared to cast parts.
By integrating robotic automation with DS FlexRC tools, a lower-cost solution can achieve superior results.
With the widespread adoption of robotic welding, weld seam grinding has become a bottleneck in the production process. The challenge of automation has been the inability to remove weld seams precisely without damaging the base material.
The DS FlexRC tool features a compliance force control mechanism that controls grinding force and detects sheet metal height, ensuring perfect weld seam removal.
Aluminum die-casting has short production cycles and high output, making deburring a common bottleneck suitable for automation.
The DS FlexRC tool offers multiple compliance force control mechanisms and grinding heads, adapting to complex shapes for precise deburring and surface grinding. It enhances quality and efficiency while leveraging automation to increase grinding rates and reduce production costs.
DS FlexRC provides various belt sanders and flap wheel machine configurations to flexibly meet diverse surface finishing needs.
By integrating with DS FlexRC tools, automated grinding rates and efficiency can be significantly improved while lowering production costs.
Connect your DSA/DS Technology devices to the internet and manage them effortlessly with SmartCore Edge Box.
SmartCore Edge Box allows you to monitor equipment status anytime and use AI intelligence to quickly resolve issues, ensuring stable and efficient operations.
*Consumable usage statistics method: Measure units are defined according to the consumable properties, typically by time or count.
With utilization rate records, you can analyze equipment or system usage, optimize performance, and effectively manage resources to enhance production efficiency, reduce downtime, and achieve optimal resource allocation.
This system allows you to record and review inspection results, helping to identify and resolve equipment issues, ensuring timely maintenance and improved performance.
Robotic surface finishing systems help businesses comply with global environmental regulations, including the U.S. Clean Air Act, the EU Air Quality Directive, the China Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law, and environmental standards across Southeast Asia.These systems enhance resource efficiency, reduce energy consumption and pollutant emissions, ensuring environmental compliance in global markets and promoting sustainable development.
Through precise control of grinding and polishing processes, these systems effectively minimize material waste, improve resource utilization, lower production costs and reduce waste disposal burdens, aligning with global efficient resource management policies.
Automated grinding systems are equipped with optimized energy management technologies, reducing energy waste in compliance with ISO 50001 energy management standards, as well as global energy-saving and carbon reduction regulations. This helps businesses achieve higher energy efficiency and may qualify them for subsidies or tax incentives.
Advanced dust and wastewater treatment technologies effectively control pollutant emissions during production, ensuring compliance with industrial emission standards worldwide, such as the U.S. Clean Water Act and the EU Industrial Emissions Directive. This not only reduces the risk of environmental fines, but also enhances a company's ESG performance, strengthening market competitiveness.
Automated grinding systems help businesses comply with global occupational safety and health regulations, such as the U.S. OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Act, the EU Workplace Safety and Health Directive, China's Occupational Safety and Health Law, India's Worker Safety and Health Act, and safety standards across Southeast Asia, reducing the risk of workplace injuries and ensuring a safe working environment.
Robotic grinding systems are equipped with safety protection mechanisms and emergency stop functions, ensuring compliance with equipment safety standards. By reducing the need for direct human involvement in high-risk tasks, these systems help lower workplace injury rates, improve employee job satisfaction, and enhance productivity.
Through high-efficiency dust collection and filtration systems, these systems significantly reduce dust concentration, ensuring compliance with ISO 45001 occupational health and safety standards, effectively protecting employees' health and minimizing the risk of occupational diseases caused by long-term exposure to hazardous environments.
Automated grinding systems not only improve working conditions and reduce health risks for employees but also help businesses comply with global corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards, further demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability and employee well-being in this regard.
These systems comply with ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems), as well as global occupational safety and environmental management standards, ensuring compliance in the U.S., EU, Japan, China, India, and Southeast Asian markets, highlighting the company's dedication to global safety and environmental responsibility.
DS Technology's robotic surface finishing system integrates deburring, grinding, and polishing core technologies and features compliance force control, AI intelligent monitoring, automatic TCP calibration and Robotmaster offline programming, providing a high-precision, high-efficiency automated surface finishing solution. Our modular and customizable systems are suitable for aerospace, automotive, machinery, metal processing, and 3C electronics and other industries, meeting diverse needs from small-batch precision processing to large-scale automated production.
By choosing DS Technology, you will gain:
DS Technology has a comprehensive global distributor and technical support network covering Asia, Europe, Americas and other major markets.
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