LestaUSA Self-Learning Painting & Finishing Robots

“You’re not replacing the painter, you’re helping the painter out.” DeGeest Corporation's Finishing Team Lead, Tony Kerkhove, knows what it’s like to interact and work with robots for the first time. While Tony’s knowledge of painting spans over 20 years, when he started at DeGeest and began using Lesta robots, it was his first time working with robotic technology for painting. Tony observed many changes right away. One being the physical demands. He noticed that the robots managed most of the manual labor required of painting, resulting in a work environment that’s much easier on the body. The second change was the career impact robots provide. The common misperception is that robots replace painters. While new technology can often be perceived as a replacement, that’s not the story with the robots used at DeGeest and LestaUSA. These robots aren’t replacing the painter, they’re helping the painter out. The knowledge painters and other skilled labor have, are still vital to the line. All that institutional knowledge has immense value to these systems and organizations. Check out this episode of The Manufacturing a Stronger Standard podcast by our President, Derek DeGeest, as he interviews Finishing Team Lead, Tony Kerkhove, to discuss how self-learning robots can help painters and your business. https://spoti.fi/3W7QGxn #automation #manufacturing #robotics #finishing #astrongerstandard #strongerproducts #strongerindustry #dayonerobotics #industryrevolution #industrialcoating #industrialautomation #workforcedevelopment #fabtech #manufacturingpodcast

Did you know that the LestaUSA full-service automation team was built on the experience of our parent company, DeGeest Corporation’s robot welding program? DeGeest’s decades of experience using and installing robotic welding robots for their own production has allowed them to develop solutions, build, assemble, integrate and install painting robots for not only their our own paint line, but for general industry applications all across North America. These skills have helped us and our painting customers be able to also install welding robots to compliment their finishing automation needs. This picture is a testament to the value these robots and automation bring to manufacturing as it’s the first of three large weld cells being installed by DeGeest’s automation team over the next month.  “The past four years has shown us that manufacturers are eager to integrate new technologies. Robots create a stronger standard and we’re proud to be on the front-lines helping today’s manufacturers implement innovative ways to fulfill their automation needs .” President of DeGeest and LestaUSA, Derek DeGeest #automation #manufacturing #robotics #welding #finishing #astrongerstandard #strongerproducts #strongerindustry #strongerpeople #dayonerobotics #industryrevolution #industrialcoating #industrialautomation

Automate repetitive tasks to elevate skills. Instead of the wear and tear on the body that comes from manual finishing, automation gives workers a chance to work with robots. Technology has moved past a want by companies to an expectation by employees. In the past, there was the belief that finishing automation only made sense for manufacturers such as automakers because a painting robot only needs to be programmed to paint a limited variety of parts. Self-learning finishing robots, on the other hand, are for high mix production. A person “teaches” the robot how to paint a part in real time. The robot records every gun angle, pre-set spray patterns, path speed, and technique. These movements and application equipment controls ultimately encompass the finisher’s knowledge, which can then be replicated as a saved program on all future parts. This allows finishers to train the robot to be an extension of themselves, including all of their legacy knowledge of the part, their equipment, system and coating being sprayed. This process empowers teams to use their application knowledge to not just get through a day to day job, but create a career in which they can improve the quality and production of the entire system. So, the next time you hear about a skills gap, it may really be a technology gap that needs to be bridged. The more you embrace it, the quicker your path to success through rising production and employee retention and engagement. Check out this podcast episode by our President, Derek DeGeest, discussing our innovative proven step by step solutions for empowering your teams with Technology to Bridge the Skills Gap in Manufacturing. https://spoti.fi/4c3VKIG #automation #manufacturing #robotics #finishing #astrongerstandard #strongerproducts #strongerindustry #dayonerobotics #industryrevolution #industrialcoating #industrialautomation #workforcedevelopment

Our President, Derek DeGeest, recently spoke at the Innovation, Workforce and Research Conference (IWRC) Dakotas Next Generation Workforce panel. This event, hosted by IEEE-USA, was full of national and state politicians, academia, and industry experts covering how to navigate and work with government agencies, workforce development and AI. Overall, it was a great opportunity to learn more about all of the government and state funding programs available for small businesses. A few key takeaways: 1. There is an entire network of local, state and government officials ready to help our country’s small businesses and entrepreneurs whether you are a startup company of one, all the way up to a large multinational company. 2. Do not try to do business alone. Use resources available or your company is at a disadvantage. 3. There is always something to learn and good people waiting to help. From our conversations, it’s evident we’re all working towards the same goal: capturing our institutional knowledge, empowering the current workforce, and successfully recruiting and retaining the next generation. On behalf of LestaUSA and our parent company, DeGeest Corporation, thank you IEEE-USA and AFRL Regional Network - Midwest for bringing this event to Sioux Falls and South Dakota. #automation #manufacturing #robotics #welding #finishing #astrongerstandard #strongercommunity #strongerproducts #strongerindustry #strongerpeople #dayonerobotics #industryrevolution #industrialcoating #industrialautomation #workforcedevelopment #iwrc

Our parent company, DeGeest Corporation, was recently invited as a customer and integrator for the inaugural event of Aretè Cocchi Technology for their new Franklin Park, Illinois facility, housing the United States Head Quarters and Operations for its companies’ subsidiaries: Reis Robotics, MULTI ELECTRIC, CT PACK, and Science Applications. “Having more companies in the United States promoting, enhancing and integrating robotic technology is great for the manufacturing industry. We’ve been utilizing robotic welding at DeGeest for over 8 years, and are continually amazed at the opportunities it’s created for our workforce and customer’s.” - President of DeGeest and LestaUSA, Derek DeGeest #automation #manufacturing #robotics #welding #finishing #roboticwelding #astrongerstandard #strongerproducts #strongerindustry #dayonerobotics #industryrevolution #industrialautomation

Workforce development is something we strive for and take pride in everyday at LestaUSA and our parent organization, DeGeest Corporation. We know the driving force behind our success are the people who dedicate themselves to making stronger products for our communities and beyond. In order for our economy to thrive, we need to take care of our workforce by ensuring quality and fulfilling jobs are available. We’re excited to have our President, Derek DeGeest, represent our organization talking about this very topic as a panelist at the Innovation, Workforce and Research Conference (IWRC), hosted by IEEE-USA, June 10-11 in Sioux Falls, SD. This conference is important as it focuses on inspiring and empowering true innovation in the Dakotas and the Midwest by bringing together stakeholders from academia, government, and industry to meet, learn, and plan for how the CHIPS Act affects South Dakota and neighboring regions. Other key discussions include the research grants, technology transfer programs, start-up funding, intellectual property, federal partnerships, the future of the South Dakota workforce, utilizing state and local resources, AI, and more. Join us June 10-11 in Sioux Falls, to talk about these important topics. Learn more and register here —> https://bit.ly/3VaVUYC #automation #manufacturing #robotics #welding #finishing #astrongerstandard #strongercommunity #strongerproducts #strongerindustry #strongerpeople #dayonerobotics #industryrevolution #industrialcoating #industrialautomation #workforcedevelopment #iwrc

One of our favorite things to do is showcase manufacturing, robotics and automation to demonstrate the possible career opportunities that exist within this progressive industry. Even better when we get to share this information with the next generation. This academic school year, we were fortunate to have 412 students tour our LestaUSA integration center and test lab including grades 5th - 7th to high school and CTE classes. “Interacting with these students throughout the school year is a highlight for our organization. The look on the kid’s faces when they see what our robotic technology can accomplish is very rewarding. We love being able to play a role in helping kids discover all the career possibilities in manufacturing.” President of DeGeest Corporation and LestaUSA, Derek DeGeest Know of a class or group that would be interested in a tour? Give us a call —> (888) 546-2800! #automation #manufacturing #robotics #welding #finishing #astrongerstandard #strongercommunity #strongerproducts #strongerindustry #strongerpeople #dayonerobotics #industryrevolution #industrialcoating #industrialautomation

Last week, our headquarters at DeGeest Corporation hosted their 4th Annual Student Welding Invitational. Not only did this competition highlight some of the best high school welding talent, it also gave our team the opportunity to host tours. One of the tour stops was in our LestaUSA integration center and test lab. This group is getting to look at one of our R&D projects that our automation team is working on. The tours were given throughout the welding competition to anyone in attendance including students, faculty, parents, community and industry partners. "The opportunity to open our doors and invite the public to see our technology and gain a better understanding of modern manufacturing allows us to highlight the various career opportunities in manufacturing and the cool tech you can be a part of!" President of LestaUSA and DeGeest Corporation, Derek DeGeest Know of a class or group that would be interested in a tour? Give us a call → 1-888-546-2800! #automation #manufacturing #robotics #welding #finishing #astrongerstandard #strongercommunity #strongerproducts #strongerindustry #strongerpeople #dayonerobotics #industryrevolution #industrialcoating #industrialautomation

Recently, LestaUSA and DeGeest Corporation President, Derek DeGeest, were in Washington, D.C. to meet with robotic and academic leaders on Capitol Hill to discuss with the US Senate the future of A.I. and robotics policy in the United States so that our country can stay competitive! The power of robots and automation is a new and evolving industry, requiring education and conversation so that these tools can be used to advance our country and people to new heights professionally and commercially. We’re honored to be on the forefront of these conversations to continue advocating for automation and manufacturing jobs in the US to create a strong economy. #automation #manufacturing #robotics #welding #finishing #astrongerstandard #strongerpeople #strongercommunity #strongerproducts #strongerindustry #strongerprocesses #strongertogether #dayonerobotics #industryrevolution #industrialcoating #industrialautomation

What does your powder coat line look like? Does it still require manual painters to coat your finish your parts? There is proven automation technology that is transforming manual painting jobs into careers and allowing finishing to running independent of their teams schedules! Here’s a sneak peak into one of our LestaUSA customers day. We designed this system expansion to replace an old automatic reciprocator system that required 2 manual touch up finishers to keep their line running. They now can run through breaks, lunch, vacations and new hires with 5 LestaUSA self-learning robots, new custom robot booths by Patriot Metal Finishing Systems, Inc. and Amiberica Inc and powder equipment by Wagner IS North America. LestaUSA is fully integrated with leading equipment and system partners across the North American finishing industry to provide automation solutions that empower the current teams you already have with our self-learning robots and automatic program passing software! This allows them to teach the system and robots how to process their parts which frees them up to continue to add value to system and company instead of just trying to get through the day! Check out more customer powder and liquid automated production videos at https://bit.ly/44Bn8el and reach out to see how our team of experts can help you empower your teams with our finishing automation! DeGeest Corporation -with Derek DeGeest #automation #manufacturing #robotics #finishing #astrongerstandard #strongerproducts #strongerindustry #dayonerobotics #industryrevolution #industrialcoating #industrialautomation