Direct D'la Shop
Automates Chair
Sanding Process

Direct D'la Shop produces high-end solid wood furniture, with chair frames being one of its most in-demand product lines. Each chair requires multiple sanding passes across curved legs, seat surfaces, and back rails — a labor-intensive process that demands both precision and consistency from skilled operators.

As production volumes grew, the manual sanding operation became a bottleneck. The work was repetitive, physically demanding, and increasingly difficult to staff due to the shortage of experienced labor.

Direct D'la Shop needed an automation solution that could take over these repetitive sanding tasks while maintaining their existing production flow, product quality, and shop layout — without the need for major changes to their facility or manufacturing process.

Camex Robotics designed and built a compact cobot sanding cell tailored to Direct D'la Shop's chair geometry. The system features a collaborative robot arm equipped with a compliant sanding end-of-arm tool, mounted to work on chair frames held in a custom rotating fixture that presents each surface to the robot at the correct angle throughout the sanding sequence.

The entire cell is enclosed in a dust containment structure with integrated vacuum extraction — keeping the work environment clean and protecting both operators and equipment. The cobot runs through a programmed sanding path for each chair model, applying consistent pressure and coverage across every surface zone with no variation between cycles.

Program changeover between chair models is operator-controlled via a simple touchscreen interface. Camex handled the full scope of the project: fixture design and fabrication, robot programming, dust enclosure integration, and on-site commissioning at Direct D'la Shop's facility.

Since deployment, Direct D'la Shop has seen a notable improvement in surface finish consistency across all chair models running through the automated cell. Every piece receives the same sanding sequence with the same pressure and path — eliminating the operator-to-operator variation that had previously led to rework and finish defects after staining.

Operators who previously performed the sanding manually have been reassigned to finishing, inspection, and assembly tasks — roles where their judgment and skill add more value. The dust enclosure has also significantly improved the air quality in the sanding area, reducing particulate exposure for the entire shop floor.

The project is a clear example of how a well-scoped cobot integration — built around a specific product and process — can deliver both quality and ergonomic benefits without disrupting the broader production environment.