A system for moving an object against a working surface of a finishing machine. A mounting platform is provided that is supported by a stationary frame. The mounting platform can only move reciprocally relative to the stationary frame along a linear line of motion. An articulating arm is mounted on the mounting platform and moves with the mounting platform. A linear actuator is provided having a first end coupled to the mounting platform and an opposite end mounted to the stationary frame. The linear actuator has a midline that is parallel to, and aligned with, the linear line of motion. A finishing machine is provided that has a working surface. The articulating arm touches objects to the working surface at a point of contact that is coplanar with the linear line of motion. This directs forces along the linear line of motion and into the linear actuator.

The invention relates to a system and method for changing liners of a mill, the configuration of which allows the automated robotic manipulation of liners of mills for ore grinding in comminution processes. The configuration and operation of the system allows the task of manipulation to be improved, having a greater degree of freedom and/or flexibility in its movements, thereby providing a greater degree of certainty and efficiency to the method and thus optimising the time that the mill is halted for maintenance, and also preventing the risks to which maintenance staff may be exposed. The system comprises at least one support structure, at least one system for supplying and moving liners, at least one robotic manipulator system for manipulating the liners, at least one liner manipulation tool, at least one artificial vision system, and at least one control system.

The invention relates to a system and method for changing liners of a mill, the configuration of which allows the automated robotic manipulation of liners of mills for ore grinding in comminution processes. The configuration and operation of the system allows the task of manipulation to be improved, having a greater degree of freedom and/or flexibility in its movements, thereby providing a greater degree of certainty and efficiency to the method and thus optimising the time that the mill is halted for maintenance, and also preventing the risks to which maintenance staff may be exposed. The system comprises at least one support structure, at least one system for supplying and moving liners, at least one robotic manipulator system for manipulating the liners, at least one liner manipulation tool, at least one artificial vision system, and at least one control system.

A robot-supported grinding method is described. In accordance with one example of the invention, the grinding method includes contacting a surface of a workpiece with a rotating grinding tool, whereby either the grinding tool or the workpiece is mechanically coupled to the tool center point (TCP) of a manipulator. The method further includes controlling an actuator that influences the grinding tool or the workpiece to produce a grinding force between the grinding tool and the workpiece, as well as measuring an actual deflection of the actuator. The rotational velocity of the grinding tool is adjusted depending on the measured actual deflection of the actuator and a reference deflection of the actuator.