In steel construction, thermally cut components must meet demanding requirements—especially when reaching preparation grade P3. While removing slag and burrs is relatively straightforward, tasks such as grinding narrow sides and rounding all edges with a 2 mm radius are considerably more challenging. These operations are hardly feasible manually and put significant physical strain on workers.
Dutch company Teqram B.V. has developed the EasyGrinder, an innovative solution that fully automates the grinding process. The system’s key advantage lies not only in its precision but also in its user-friendliness—no programming is required. The EasyGrinder is particularly suitable for companies handling single parts or small batch series, which are typical in structural steelwork.
Smart Technology for Complex Requirements
Depending on the task, the EasyGrinder uses various tools. It removes slag with a chisel, employs flap discs or rotary burrs for precise edge rounding, and processes narrow sides with an angle grinder. Even complex operations such as countersinking or removing lead-in flags are reliably handled by the system. This versatility, combined with automated recognition, ensures consistently high quality—even for complex part geometries.
No Programming Required Thanks to 3D Vision
A standout feature of the EasyGrinder is its 3D vision technology, which independently analyzes each workpiece and plans the grinding process automatically. There’s no need to supply geometric data. For example, straight external edges are rounded to a 2 mm radius in three steps using a flap disc—fully compliant with DIN EN 1090-2 and ZTV-ING Part 4 standards. The operator simply places the parts on a pallet inside the robotic cell and selects the desired quality level from preconfigured recipes.
In addition to grinding, the EasyGrinder also automates the handling of workpieces. Parts—regardless of shape—are placed on pallets, picked up by the robot, and processed safely for weights up to 200 kg. After the first side is finished, the system automatically flips the part and continues on the other side. Once complete, the component is neatly stacked. This results in a closed-loop process with no manual intervention required.
Optional Integration with Automatic Blasting
The EasyGrinder can be optionally linked to an automated blasting system, such as a rotary table shot blasting machine. Through an OPC UA interface, both systems communicate seamlessly. The robot positions the workpiece, initiates blasting, flips it, and repeats the process. The result is a consistently double-blasted part with improved edge quality, no shadowing, and significantly lower energy consumption compared to roller conveyor systems.
Tackling the Skilled Labor Shortage
Across many European countries, the shortage of skilled labor is becoming a pressing issue in the steel construction industry. Manual grinding is physically demanding and not particularly appealing. The EasyGrinder takes over these exact tasks—fully automated, consistently high in quality, and without risk to staff. This allows companies to reassign their skilled workers to more valuable and fulfilling activities.
With the EasyGrinder, Teqram offers a well-conceived and practical automation solution tailored to the needs of modern steel construction companies. The system automates labor-intensive and strenuous tasks while delivering a new level of processing quality—without requiring programming knowledge. It’s an ideal investment for companies seeking to boost efficiency and proactively address the challenges of labor shortages.
