Situation
Martin GmbH, a subsidiary of Huppenkothen, manufactures about 20,000 excavator attachments annually, including quick-change systems, buckets, and hydraulic couplings. Meeting this volume demands optimal efficiency at every stage of production.
The Ludesch, Austria-based company cuts sheet metal blanks from 8 to 70 mm thick using a plasma and flame-cutting system to produce parts for excavator buckets. Previously, several employees were responsible for preparing these parts by removing slag with chisels and grinding surfaces with angle grinders. This manual method was not only labor-intensive but also physically demanding, with some parts weighing more than 50 kg. Employees had to endure long hours of handling vibrating tools while turning heavy components, contributing to high physical strain.
“Finding workers for such heavy, monotonous tasks was already challenging,” said Herwig Koch, Martin’s operations and technology manager. “On top of that, sick leave frequently disrupted operations.”
Resolution
The turning point came when representatives from Martin discovered Teqram’s automated system at EuroBLECH 2022. “A robot that operates without programming? That immediately caught our attention, given our diverse product range,” Koch recalled.
Since July 2024, the company has used a Teqram EasyGrinder system that fully automates its deburring and shotblasting operations. This shift has improved production efficiency significantly and has enhanced working conditions for employees.
Operators place flame-cut parts on Euro pallets and choose the desired processing quality; the robot handles everything from slag removal to edge grinding or creating a 2-mm radius. Equipped with autochanging tools, the system turns and grips the parts to help ensure seamless, fully automated processing.
After deburring and grinding are completed, a Rösler rotary table system takes over for shotblasting. The Teqram robot automatically arranges the parts for blasting efficiency and restacks them on pallets after processing.
The system performs all processing and delivers ready-to-install components without any programming or manual intervention, making it the right fit for Martin’s small to medium batch sizes and frequent workpiece changes.
Using 3D vision sensors and the EasyEye system, the robot identifies the contours of the workpieces without needing CAD drawings. It calculates the weight and selects the appropriate gripper based on the material and geometry. The EasyFlipper then turns the part for processing on both sides.
By automating production, Martin has optimized its processes, helping to ensure high-quality, reliable products while improving working conditions. Automation also has made the company a more attractive employer by alleviating the physical burden on its workers.