Enterijer Mesicki, an established Serbian furniture manufacturer with over 30 years of industry expertise, has developed a new robotic cell for aggregate processing and milling.

The Eastern European furniture market, with its long tradition of artisanal woodworking, is currently undergoing a wave of modernization. Many manufacturers are looking for ways to incorporate advanced technology, without compromising the high-quality craftsmanship that is a hallmark of the region's furniture.

Established in 1992, Enterijer Mesicki exemplifies this digital transformation. Its expertise in hardwood furniture production has established a strong reputation, serving both domestic and international customers. The company's latest innovation combines the widely available FANUC robot line and the powerful robot programming functionalities of RoboDK software.

This progressive approach positions the company at the forefront of furniture production modernization, reinforcing Serbia’s global standing as a high-quality manufacturer.

Bridging tradition and technology in furniture production

The Eastern European furniture industry stands at a crossroads of rich traditional and modern innovation. Known for its skilled workforce and abundant natural resources, manufacturers across the region have honed woodworking techniques passed down through generations, creating durable and aesthetically striking pieces using locally sourced woods like oak, beech, and spruce.

This heritage has firmly established the region's furniture as a hallmark of quality, both locally and in export markets. With Serbia's strategic location providing access to European, Middle Eastern, and Russian markets, the country is set to become a key player in modernized furniture production.

In response to the demands of the global market, furniture manufacturers throughout the region are investigating strategies to combine established craftsmanship with modern technological advancements.

How Enterijer Mesicki is contributing to Serbian furniture growth

Established in 1992, Enterijer Mesicki exemplifies the transition toward advanced technological integration. The company specializes in manufacturing hardwood furniture for diverse interior designs, supplying kitchens, restaurants, and hotels, among other establishments. Its products are distributed throughout Serbia and exported to Austria, Germany, and Bulgaria.

With its new robotic cell for aggregate sanding and milling, the company has created a solution that blends artisanal furniture production techniques with cutting-edge automation. Powered by RoboDK software and FANUC robots, the solution leads the way in enhancing precision, efficiency, and sustainability of Serbian furniture manufacturing.

"Being part of this project was truly exciting and fulfilling," said Zoran Mesicki, the company owner of Enterijer Mesicki. "Contributing to the development and production of the components, and seeing everything come together and work flawlessly, was an incredible experience. It’s always rewarding to work on something innovative, and we’re thrilled to have been part of such a remarkable project."

The FANUC cell programmed with RoboDK

Enterijer Mesicki’s robot cell uses a powerful combination of top-of-the-line robotic components.

The core components of the solution are:

• RoboDK robot simulation and programming software — This flexible and feature-rich software enables effortless programming and simulation of a range of furniture manufacturing applications. RoboDK’s user-friendly interface minimizes programming time while maximizing accuracy, ensuring an efficient programming workflow for tasks like milling and sanding.
• FANUC industrial robot — Readily available in the Serbian market, FANUC robots serve as the core robotic hardware of the system. Its robust performance and adaptability allow it to handle a wide range of tasks with exceptional precision and consistency.
• Alphacam and SolidCam software — While RoboDK offers a wide variety of Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) solutions, the team at Enterijer Mesicki opted to use their existing CAM software tools. This seamless compatibility with other software packages is a core benefit of using RoboDK.

"RoboDK is a key link in the system," said Zoran Mesick. "I couldn't imagine a system like this without it."

Three robotic solutions to meet the furniture industry's challenges

The primary function of the robotic cell is to improve Enterijer Mesicki’s production process. It currently facilitates three core applications in furniture manufacturing:

Belt Sander – Mastering High-Speed Material Removal

Designed for heavy-duty robotic surface finishing, the Belt Sander application directly addresses the challenge of efficient material removal.

With programmable speed of up to 21 m/s and adjustable pressure ranging from 300 g to 20 kg, it handles rough, high-speed sanding with precision. This ensures that raw materials are prepared quickly and uniformly while minimizing waste and ensuring consistency across furniture components.

Orbital Sander – Delivering Fine Finishing Precision

The Orbital Sander application tackles the intricacies of fine sanding and finishing, which are essential for achieving high-quality surfaces. Its six adjustable speeds and a 5 mm oscillation radius offer unparalleled control and flexibility.

With programmable pressure, the application supports pressure ranges from 300 g to 20 kg, allowing for delicate work on complex surfaces. This helps Enterijer Mesicki meet the demand for smooth, polished finishes that align with modern design aesthetics.

Milling Motor – Precision in Intricate Cutting and Detailing

Designed for precision robotic cutting, the Milling Motor application facilitates efficient execution of detailed tooling and cutting operations.

With a 12 kW air-cooled motor, automatic tool-changing capabilities, and variable speed control of up to 24,000 rpm, this application adds versatility to the production line. It improves the creation of detailed designs on wood, composite materials, and other surfaces, ensuring the production of bespoke, intricate furniture pieces that meet high consumer expectations.

These three applications, in seamless collaboration with RoboDK programming, constitute a comprehensive solution for furniture production, enabling Enterijer Mesicki to achieve greater operational versatility, precision, and efficiency.

Future plans

Looking ahead, the company plans to introduce advanced aggregates for curvilinear edge banding, a feature that will further enhance its ability to produce bespoke furniture with robotic technology.

Enterijer Mesicki is already working on expanding its technological capabilities. Current projects include developing robotic systems for Metalac_INKO in Serbia, focusing on sanding composite bathroom fixtures like sinks and bathtubs.

Founded by Albert Nubiola in January 2015, RoboDK is a spin-off company from the highly prestigious CoRo laboratory at ETS University in Montreal, Canada. RoboDK software brings powerful robotics simulation and programming capabilities to companies large and small and to coders and non-coders alike. Today, it supports more than 1000 robots from over 50 manufacturers, including ABB, Fanuc, KUKA, Yaskawa, Stäubli, and Universal Robots.

You can try RoboDK today with the free trial: https://robodk.com/download.