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Sheet Metal Processing Automation
Automate cutting, finishing, and material handling with vision-guided robotics—no part programming required, even with a high mix of parts.
5+
Process steps that can be automated
200 kg+
Part weight handled automatically
Robotic Automation for Sheet Metal Processing
Robots and automated handling systems can support every stage of sheet metal production, from cutting, deburring, and grinding to part turning and welding. By automating repetitive, physically demanding tasks, manufacturers can reduce manual labor while maintaining the flexibility to process a wide variety of parts.
Why Sheet Metal Manufacturers Need Automation Now
Skilled Labor Shortages
Skilled workers for deburring, grinding, and finishing are hard to find. Assigning them to repetitive tasks ties up expertise that could add more value elsewhere.
High Part Mix
Small to medium production runs with varying part geometries make conventional automation difficult, since each new part requires its own program.
Pressure on Costs and Throughput
Customers expect reliable delivery and higher quality, while margins continue to tighten. Manual finishing is becoming increasingly difficult to justify.
The Sheet Metal Production Process
Automation now extends across the entire production process, from design to finished assembly, connecting tasks that once relied on standalone machines.
1.
Cutting
Laser, plasma, and oxyfuel cutting turn sheet metal into part blanks.
2.
Finishing
Deburring, grinding, cleanup, and edge rounding bring parts to the required quality.
3.
Material Handling
Part turning, machine loading and unloading, and sorting keep production moving between machines.
4.
Assembly
Welding and other joining processes bring individual parts together into a finished assembly.
Automation Solutions for Each Process Step
Grinding & Finishing
The Challenge
Achieving consistent, burr-free surfaces across a wide range of part geometries.
The Automated Solution
The system uses machine vision to identify each part, then deburrs edges, grinds contours, and fine-finishes surfaces to preset quality levels.
Deburring
The Challenge
Loading and unloading deburring machines while handling a high mix of parts.
The Automated Solution
The system automatically loads and unloads the through-feed deburring machine, turning parts over when both sides need processing on a single-sided machine. For thicker material, the EasyGrinder also handles cut lead-in areas or grinds the heat-affected zone.
Welding
The Challenge
Handling a variety of welding jobs without time-consuming programming for each part.
The Automated Solution
Operators teach the cobot by guiding it by hand instead of writing code. Setup takes just minutes, with no safety fencing required.
Shot Blasting
The Challenge
Achieving consistent surface preparation before painting or coating.
The Automated Solution
The system automatically loads the rotary-table shot blasting machine and turns parts over, working directly with the grinding cell.
Part Turning
The Challenge
Safely turning over heavy or long sheet metal parts between operations.
The Automated Solution
The system turns, transfers, and precisely positions parts for the next step, whether that means processing the other side, painting, or assembly.
Looking for More Ways to Automate Your Sheet Metal Production?
Talk to us about a solution tailored to your needs.
The Benefits of Sheet Metal Automation
- Consistent Quality Get repeatable results across shifts, regardless of operator experience or fatigue.
- Less Strain on Your Team Automate repetitive, physically demanding work and free skilled employees for higher-value tasks.
- Higher Throughput Keep production running beyond regular shifts to increase capacity without adding staff.
- Cost-Effective for Small Batches Make automation pay even with short production runs and frequent part changes.
- Automatic Gripper and Tool Selection The system selects the right gripper and processing tool for each part, eliminating manual changeovers between part types.
What Sets Teqram Apart
Traditional industrial robots require a separate program for each new part. In high-mix production, that programming adds up fast. Teqram uses 3D vision and AI to recognize parts automatically.
Conventional Automation
- A separate program for each part type
- CAD data or manual teaching required
- Setup time with every part change
- Typically cost-effective only at higher volumes
The Teqram Approach
- Automatic part recognition using 3D vision and AI, without CAD data
- No part-specific programming required
- Automatically adapts to different part geometries
- Cost-effective even for small batches
Proven in Production: Customer Success Stories
Heinz Dreeskornfeld GmbH & Co. KG · Bielefeld
Intelligent Robotics Makes Unattended Deburring Possible
This laser cutting and sheet metal fabrication specialist uses EasyDebur to automate deburring machine loading and unloading. The result: significantly less manual work, consistently reliable production, and cost-effective automation even for small batches with a high mix of parts.
Read the Full Case Study →
WBM Staalservice Centrum BV · Stramproy
Turn Heavy Steel Parts Safely with EasyFlipper
Specializing in complex parts made from high-strength and wear-resistant steel, WBM turns parts weighing up to 300 kg and measuring up to 6 m long in seconds, with just one operator. The result: a safer workplace, less physical strain, and a more reliable deburring process.
Read the Full Case Study →
Zucker Edelstahlschmiede GmbH · Wolpertshausen
No Part Programming. Automatic Part Recognition.
This stainless steel and sheet metal specialist in Germany's Schwäbisch Hall region uses EasyDebur-1 to load its ARKU deburring machine without CAD data, drawings, or manual teaching. The result: less strain on employees, steady throughput, and cost-effective automation even for small batches.
Read the Full Case Study →Choosing the Right System for Your Sheet Metal Operations
01
Part Weight
From lightweight sheet metal blanks to heavy steel parts that require a crane.
02
Material
Steel, stainless steel, and aluminum each have different tooling and
force control requirements.
03
Production Volume & Part Mix
One-off parts, small batches, and high-volume production each call for a different level of automation.
04
Process Step
Grinding, deburring, part turning, or welding — each operation has its own
requirements.
FAQs
Common Questions About Sheet Metal Automation
-
Conventional robotic automation typically requires larger production runs to justify the cost of programming each part. Teqram's vision-guided systems recognize parts automatically, making automation cost-effective even for small batches with a high mix of parts.
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Many manufacturers start with deburring, grinding, or part turning. These repetitive, physically demanding tasks are good candidates for automation and can be automated separately from other manual operations.
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With conventional industrial robots, yes. Teqram systems use 3D vision to recognize parts automatically, with no CAD data or part-specific programming required.
Ready to Automate Your Sheet Metal Production?
