Event offers the latest in abrasive processes, material finishing and robotics, an optional tour of 3M innovation centers, and keynote by 3M chief science advocate and corporate scientist Jayshree Seth

ANN ARBOR, Michigan - June 19, 2023. Companies seeking automated material removal and finishing solutions can learn about the latest tools, best practices and proven success stories at the A3 Robotic Grinding & Finishing Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 25-26. Organized by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) and presented by 3M, this showcase and conference offers educational sessions and a tabletop expo hall with the latest tools and equipment from companies such as 3M, ATI, FANUC, Fer Robotics, Schunk, PushCorp, Suhner and Universal Robots. Registration is open at https://www.automate.org/events/robotic-grinding-and-finishing-conference.

At the A3 Robotic Grinding & Finishing Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 25-26,
"you can get specific grinding, polishing, sanding, deburring application information, and connect the dots with the right partners," says Carl Doeksen of 3M.

"The automation of grinding and finishing tasks continues to grow in popularity as companies struggle to find and retain skilled employees to do the work," said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. "Once they decide to automate, companies discover how increasingly easy and cost-effective these solutions can be to deploy."

During this two-day event, attendees will get a comprehensive look at the factors, technologies and processes that yield success across all these tasks, with real-world implementation stories showcased in both the conference sessions and the expo hall.

"The technology's all there, and at an event like this, it really helps system integrators or end-user customers get up to speed faster," said Carl Doeksen, Global Robotics & Automation Director, Abrasive Systems Division, 3M. "Here, you can get specific grinding, polishing, sanding, deburring application information, and connect the dots with the right partners."

The conference opens with a keynote by 3M's chief science advocate and corporate scientist Jayshree Seth, "The State of Science and the Need for STEM Advocacy," followed by two days of sessions, including:

• I Wish It Was That Simple - Robotic Grinding, G.A. "Fritz" Carlson III, Acme Manufacturing
• There Is No Silver Bullet: Multiple Tools May Be Needed for One Application, Matthew Dockstader, ATI Industrial Automation
• Optimizing ROI for Robotic Abrasive Processing, Tyler Naatz, 3M
• Keys to Automating Material Removal with a Robot in 2023 and Beyond, Max Falcone, PushCorp, Inc.
• Successful Automation Strategies: Fast, Wide-Scale Implementation for Small or Global Organizations, Jerry Perez, FANUC America Corporation
• How Can Data Improve Manufacturing Processes Such as Surface Finishing? Michael Muldoon, AV&R
• Optimizing Automated Material Removal - Safe, Effective, Repeatable, Henry Kistenmacher, SCHUNK Intec Inc.
• Benefits of Using Torque-Controlled Robots for Grinding, Ran Xu, Flexiv Robotics Inc.
• Physics-Informed Artificial Intelligence for Finishing in High-Mix Manufacturing, Ariyan Kabir, GrayMatter Robotics Inc.
• Using Cobot Programming to Simplify Automated Material Removal, Charles Gales, Weldon Solutions
• Developing Leading Robotic Technology for Manufacturing and Customer-Facing Abrasive Solutions, John Schmidt, 3M
• Abrasive Identification Using Elastomeric Sensing and AI, Kimo Johnson, GelSight, Inc
• Why We Automate - End User Success Stories
"All the industry-leading ecosystem partners—system integrators, robot OEMs, end effector companies —talk about this emerging application: robotic abrasive processing," Doeksen said. "We've done a lot of research, and it isn't if, but when, it's going to be a mainstream application like welding or painting or assembly or dispensing."

Optional tour of 3M's robot labs provides expert interactions, more networking opportunities.
Attendees can also see real-world projects in action and pose their own questions to experts during an optional tour of two of 3M's leading innovation centers in St. Paul: the Innovation Center and CAM Center Robot Lab. The 3M tour is limited to the first 120 registrants due to capacity constraints. Buses will be provided.

Registration open for conference and optional 3M tours; visitor and sponsorship spots still available
Show registration is open at https://www.automate.org/events/robotic-grinding-and-finishing-conference. Tabletops booths and sponsorships are still available and can be reserved by contacting Jim Hamilton at jhamilton@automate.org.

About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is the leading global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. Members of A3 represent nearly 1,200 manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, academic institutions, research groups, and consulting firms that drive automation forward worldwide.

A3 hosts a number of industry-leading events, including the Robotic Grinding and Finishing Conference (July 25-26, 2023, Minneapolis, Minnesota); Autonomous Mobile Robots and Logistics 2023 (October 4-5, 2023, Memphis, Tennessee); the International Robot Safety Conference 2023 (October 9-11, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania); AI & Smart Automation Conference 2023 (October 10-11, 2023, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania); A3 Business Forum (January 15-17, 2024, Orlando, Florida), and Automate (May 6-9, 2024, Chicago).