Automating complex industrial processes (such as polishing), which are currently carried out manually, are costly processes and inefficient. Watch & Work combines collaborative robots, environmental reconstruction via scanning, high-precision sensors and automatic path generation to automate complex surface finishing processes.
With Watch & Work, we are able to increase productivity, quality and safety through intelligent robotics.
What is Watch & Work?
Watch & Work is a technological solution developed by TECNALIA that redefines the way industrial companies tackle complex processes, particularly those that have traditionally relied on labour-intensive manual work, such as polishing parts. The asset combines collaborative robots, environmental reconstruction via scanning, precision sensors and automatic path generation to automate these surface finishing processes.
Potential market for Watch & Work
Its value proposition is based on combining collaborative robotics and advanced sensor technology to achieve flexible, precise, adaptive automation, capable of meeting the real demands of modern industry.
One of the main challenges in manufacturing environments is the varying nature of parts: wear and tear, deformations and deviations from the CAD model make it difficult to process them automatically. Watch & Work overcomes this limitation by being able to scan the part and reconstruct the working environment, automatically generating machining paths without the need for complex programming. This makes it possible even for operators without advanced knowledge of robotics to use the system intuitively, thereby lowering the technological barrier to entry.
Watch & Work is a comprehensive technological solution that makes it possible to adopt smart manufacturing models
The direct impact of this solution is a significant improvement in productivity and quality. High-precision sensors ensure that the system maintains a constant pressure throughout the process, resulting in consistent, repeatable finishes . At the same time, this reduces errors, rework and downtime, thereby helping to optimise overall operating costs.
Furthermore, Watch & Work puts a strong emphasis on health and safety at work. Replacing hazardous tasks, such as those involving exposure to vibrations, dust and abrasive materials, with collaborative robots, reduces the risks to operators and improves the working environment. This aspect is becoming increasingly important in sectors where health and safety are a strategic priority.
Moreover, its flexibility makes it a versatile tool, suitable not only for polishing but also for other processes such as painting and welding, and across various industrial sectors such as the automotive, aerospace and metallurgy industries. This adaptability greatly enhances its value as a technological investment.
In short, Watch & Work is not just an automation tool, but also a comprehensive solution that allows companies to become more efficient, competitive and sustainable, by making the transition towards smart manufacturing models characteristic of Industry 4.0 easier.