Mirka UK will be showcasing new products and the benefits of automated processes with the help of its innovative robotics line-up on stand D134 at Smart Manufacturing Week at the NEC (4-5 June 2025). The products on display have been designed from the ground up to put the user in control while ensuring there is a consistently high -quality finish alongside a reduction in abrasive usage, whether a hand-held tool is being employed or the head used in an automated process.
The hand-held tools will be spearheaded by the POLAROS® RP 600, an electric polisher. This tool puts the user in control with the help of the new Ramp Up and Ramp down system, which has been developed to slowly raise the RPM as pressure is applied to the tool, and it also prevents sudden increases in speed that would send the polishing compound everywhere apart from the surface being worked on. The Ramp Down function prevents the operator from applying excessive pressure to the machine or the surface, and once the tool feels the pressure is getting too much, it will gradually lower the RPM until the pressure is reduced.
The tool also has a compact design that ensures it is balanced in the user’s hands and close to the surface for increased control during the polishing process, which is especially important during detailed or vertical work. The tool can efficiently manage its internal temperature when in use, which is important during long periods of use, and it also protects the tool’s internal components, so it is has a longer lifespan.
The robotics range, which is constantly evolving, will be led by the Mirka® AIROS 353S This advanced sanding head delivers exceptional performance across a wide range of applications, ranging from furniture and doors to window manufacturing where a precise rectangular sanding solution is essential. It also features an optimally sized pad that is capable of handling both flat surfaces and intricate corners with ease. This intelligent design minimises process interruptions by removing the need to transfer workpieces between machines, significantly reducing downtime and enhancing overall productivity.
Another tool on display will be the Mirka® AIROS 130S a precision-engineered sanding head developed specifically for spot repair in the automotive sector, where quality and consistency are critical. Complementing the Mirka® AIROS 130S is the Mirka® AIROS 150S, the most compact sanding head in the robotic range. This tool has been designed to make easy work of confined spaces and is also suitable for deflashing and deburring.
Rounding out the range on display is the Mirka® AIROS 312P a random orbital polisher with an advanced electric polishing head for robotic usage. It features a 77mm pad and provides an alternative to Mirka’s cordless polishers. This tool is also compatible with Mirka’s wide range of polishing pads and compounds, so it means users do not have to change the tool depending on the job. This, in turn, reduces downtime and increases productivity.
Chris Brook, business sector manager Transport & Industry, Mirka UK Ltd , says, “Smart Manufacturing Week provides our technical team with the perfect platform from which to demonstrate and highlight how innovation in both hand-held tools and robotics is transforming finishing processes. We believe that the tools we have created for the end user set the benchmark for multiple applications and increase efficiency, productivity and consistency of jobs, which are benefits businesses are looking for as margins and deadlines for jobs become tighter.”