Published originally on IBEX 365
Boat builders face a range of challenges when it comes to improving operational efficiency while ensuring the highest levels of quality. Fiberglass sanding is among the most pressing of these challenges. The labor-intensive work requires specialized protective equipment for workers, necessitates extensive training programs, and poses significant recruitment challenges. High turnover in sanding-related roles is frequently cited as a cause of operational disruptions and delays.
To date, traditional robotic sanding solutions have been unable to adequately address sanding. Most solutions have been fixed in place, forcing manufacturers to move component pieces to designated locations, resulting in complicated, time-consuming workflows that are impossible to implement at scale. Additionally, solutions that automate orbital sanding practices are ill-suited for first-pass sanding, the stage following fiberglass molding, often exacerbating surface imperfections rather than achieving the uniform smoothness high-quality boat surfaces require.
Viam's approach
Viam’s robotic sanding solution takes a fundamentally different approach and is engineered for the specific realities of fiberglass boat manufacturing, using insights gathered directly from shipyards and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Viam uses advanced 3D scanning to map each boat component’s actual surface conditions, including any warping or irregularities from the molding process, ensuring the sanding approach addresses the part as it actually exists rather than relying on theoretical models. The result is a mobile sanding station that runs on the Viam platform and is outfitted with a robotic arm, sanding attachment, and integrated vacuum that replicates the human sanding technique that boat builders already use.
The mobile robotic long boarding and block sanding system — the first of its kind — uniquely handles first-pass sanding, creating smoothness across fiberglass surfaces of any size, geometry, or range of imperfections. The solution is also highly adaptable, installed based on each manufacturer’s specifications and uses robotic arms from a wide range of manufacturers to match boat surfaces of different sizes and shapes.
For manufacturers, the benefits are wide-ranging. Their workers can leverage the solution to achieve far greater efficiency while significantly reducing physical strain. This not only improves turnover but also allows team members to level up their skills and focus on a broader range of tasks. The mobile platform eliminates the need to transport large hull sections to fixed automation cells. Remote fleet management enabled by Viam’s platform ensures that a manufacturer’s robotic system continues to operate, limiting costly downtime. When any issues arise, Viam’s team provides support and diagnostics to get robots back online fast. This drives shorter production cycles and helps manufacturers achieve scale and continued growth.
Beyond sanding, Viam offers solutions that address challenges across the marine industry, including the autonomous handling of other repetitive prep workflows such as painting, finishing, cleaning. Viam’s platform also powers onboard systems diagnostics and monitoring for predictive maintenance as well as AI-powered devices like sonars.
Marine manufacturing is at an inflection point. Rising costs, labor shortages, and increasing demand for efficiency mean that automation is more valuable than ever. Viam’s platform is helping the industry meet these challenges, starting with one of its most pressing: fiberglass sanding. By combining robotic flexibility and real-time AI adaptability, Viam is enabling builders to deliver higher-quality boats more efficiently. Viam powers a future where automation and human craftsmanship work side by side to drive progress. As manufacturers embrace automation across more of their production cycles, the industry can become more resilient, more competitive, and better positioned to meet the demands of the future.
Viam is actively building and deploying robotic sanding solutions for manufacturers around the world. To learn more about this and other solutions that can support automation and growth, reach out to Luke Horowitz and visit Viam’s robotic sanding demonstration at IBEX, booth 1-1010.
