A reference guide to the terms, technologies, and concepts used in robotic and automated sanding for woodworking. Each definition links to the relevant Stolbek product or resource page where you can learn more.
A linear motion table that positions workpieces using vacuum pods on lineal guides. The Cartesian slide table inside the Cosmo SC holds doors and panels securely during the sanding cycle while allowing the robot to access the full part surface.
A robot designed to work alongside humans in a shared workspace. Cobots are lighter, slower, and force-limited compared to industrial robots. Some competitors use cobots for sanding, but their payload and duty cycle limitations can restrict throughput and continuous operation.
The process of removing the sharp 90-degree edge on a door or panel to create a small, consistent radius. Corner breaking prevents finish from pulling away from sharp edges and improves the feel and appearance of the finished product. The Ultimate Edge Sander breaks corners simultaneously with edge sanding in a single pass.
The total time required to sand one complete part from loading to unloading. The Cosmo SC sands cabinet doors approximately two times faster than a human operator. The Ultimate Edge Sander processes edge sanding and corner breaking on a typical cabinet door in under 30 seconds.
The system that removes sanding dust from the work area during operation. The Ultimate Edge Sander requires a 4" duct connection for dust extraction. Proper dust extraction extends sandpaper life, improves finish quality, and reduces health hazards for operators.
The process of sanding the narrow edges of a door or panel — as opposed to face sanding, which covers the broad flat surface. Edge sanding is one of the most difficult operations to automate because it requires precise pressure control on a narrow surface. Most robotic sanding systems cannot sand edges. Stolbek is the only manufacturer that offers both robotic edge sanding (in the Cosmo SC) and dedicated edge sanding (in the Ultimate Edge Sander).
The tooling attached to the end of a robot arm that performs the actual work. On the Cosmo SC, the EOAT includes a 5" orbital disc for face sanding, a 3" × 5" orbital pad for detail work, and a 2" corner breaking sanding head. The multi-head design allows the robot to sand faces, edges, and corners without tool changes.
The process of sanding the broad, flat surface of a door or panel. Face sanding is the most common sanding operation automated by robotic systems. All Cosmo systems (SC, XL, Slide) perform face sanding as part of their standard cycle.
A robotic sanding system where the robot is mounted on an overhead gantry track rather than a fixed base. The gantry provides extended reach for oversized parts. The Cosmo XL and Cosmo Slide use Yaskawa gantry-mounted robots to handle large panels that exceed the work envelope of a standard cell.
The coarseness rating of sandpaper. Lower numbers (60, 80) are coarser and remove material faster. Higher numbers (120, 150, 220) are finer and produce smoother surfaces. The Ultimate Edge Sander runs three grits in series — coarse, medium, and fine — in a single pass.
A high-speed motor used for corner breaking and small profile sanding. The Ultimate Edge Sander includes a high frequency spindle specifically designed for detailed corner work and small profiles that the orbital sanding heads can't reach.
The touchscreen control panel that operators use to interact with the machine. Stolbek systems use user-friendly HMI interfaces for selecting sanding recipes, adjusting settings, and monitoring the sanding cycle. No programming knowledge required.
A robot designed for continuous operation in production environments. Industrial robots offer higher payload, faster cycle times, and greater durability than collaborative robots. Stolbek uses Yaskawa GP12 industrial robots in the Cosmo sanding cells — the same category of robot used in automotive and aerospace manufacturing.
An environmental protection rating indicating that equipment is sealed against dust ingress and temporary water immersion. The Yaskawa GP12 robot used in Stolbek's Cosmo systems carries an IP67 rating, making it suitable for the dusty conditions found in woodworking shops.
A safety device that creates an invisible infrared barrier around the robot cell. When an operator or object breaks the light curtain beam, the robot stops immediately. The Cosmo SC uses light curtains to protect operators during the sanding cycle while allowing easy part loading and unloading from the front of the cell.
An engineered wood product made from wood fibers bonded with resin under heat and pressure. MDF is widely used for cabinet doors, especially paint-grade and primer-coated styles. MDF edges are particularly challenging to sand manually due to the material's density and dust generation.
A sanding motion where the abrasive disc moves in small, rapid circles (orbits) rather than in a straight line. Orbital sanding produces a consistent, swirl-free finish suitable for wood finishing. All Stolbek robotic sanding systems use orbital sanding heads.
An industrial computer used to control machine operations. The Ultimate Edge Sander is PLC-driven, which means the sanding cycle, feed speed, pressure, and corner breaking are all controlled by the PLC for consistent, repeatable results on every part.
An enclosed workstation containing an industrial robot arm, a vacuum table, light curtains, and a control panel — everything needed to automate the sanding process. The Cosmo SC is Stolbek's flagship robotic sanding cell.
An injury caused by repetitive motions, sustained awkward postures, or prolonged vibration exposure. Manual palm sanding is a leading cause of RSI in woodworking shops. Automating the sanding process eliminates the repetitive motion exposure that causes these injuries.
A saved sanding program on a Stolbek system that stores all parameters for a specific part type — pressure, speed, grit, number of passes, and sanding path. Operators save and recall recipes with one touch on the HMI touchscreen, making it fast to switch between door styles or materials without reprogramming.
A rotating platform used in spray booths to automate part rotation during the finishing process. The Spin Bot is Stolbek's pneumatic spray turntable — it runs on shop air with no electricity needed.
The number of parts processed per unit of time — typically measured in parts per shift or parts per hour. The Cosmo SC sands approximately two times faster than a human operator, effectively doubling the throughput of the sanding station.
A machine or system that ships complete and ready to operate — no system integrators, custom engineering, or extended setup required. Stolbek systems are turnkey: plug in, connect air, load doors, press go. Installation takes approximately 4 days.
A suction device on the slide table that holds a workpiece in place during sanding. The Cosmo SC uses 6 vacuum pods on lineal guides that automatically adjust to the part size. The pods hold the door securely while the robot sands, preventing any movement during the cycle.
The maximum area a robot arm can reach during operation. The Cosmo SC has a work envelope of 26" × 54" (standard) or 26" × 108" (with extension bed). Parts must fit within the work envelope to be sanded by the robot.
The industrial robot arm used in Stolbek's Cosmo sanding cells. Manufactured by Yaskawa — one of the world's largest industrial robot companies. 12 kg payload, 6-axis articulation, IP67 rated, 8-year maintenance-free operation.