This work is conducted in collaboration with Sandvik Coromant to enhance their existing Bulldog machine, located in a robot cell that includes an additional Bulldog machine and a separate drying machine. The current design consists of three chambers: a central blast chamber and two chambers for flushing inserts with water, complemented by a standalone drying machine to complete the process.

This thesis investigates the remanufacturing and automation of an older machine, using the Bulldog machine as an example. The project's goal is to integrate new systems within the machine's existing framework, specifically incorporating the drying process into the Bulldog machine. ABB RobotStudio simulation software was used to develop and compare simulations of both the existing and new designs, assessing operational parameters such as cycle Time, throughput, and energy consumption effectively.

Simulation results disclosed considerable improvements in the performance of the redesigned Bulldog machine. Notably, operational efficiencies are evident in the more balanced processing times for blasting, drying, and flushing, which suggest an enhanced sequential operational flow and shorter cycle times.

Energy consumption by the robot in the robot cell was also reduced with the redesigned Bulldog machine, where fewer robot movements are required, indicating a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly operation. Furthermore, incorporating the drying process directly into the machine has optimized the layout and space usage in the production area, potentially enhancing workflow and safety.