Robotic Polishing System Helps Manufacture Quality Guitar Hardware

Hipshot Products, a manufacturer of high-quality guitar and bass hardware, faced ongoing labor and production challenges in their deburring and polishing operation. To improve consistency, quality, and production, Hipshot decided to integrate a robotic solution for polishing their patented Bass Xtender key.

The goal of the robotic solution was not staff reduction but rather automating less desirable tasks, freeing team members to focus on higher-value work. FANUC’s Authorized System Integrator, Adaptec Solutions, collaborated closely with Hipshot, providing robotic programming expertise to teach the robot how to polish the part. Adaptec also collaborated with the customer to design special trays for holding parts, which allows for robot loading and unloading without manual intervention if needed.

The robotic solution significantly enhances process repeatability, ensuring consistent quality in the finished product without the need for a physical operator, contributing to operational flexibility.

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The robot allows us to take all of the dangerous, difficult, and mundane work out of production and lets our people focus on doing stuff that people are good at doing, making decisions, etc.

Josh Borisoff Vice President – Hipshot Products