Robots are finding their way into more workshops than ever — even in industries where craftsmanship and hand-finishing have traditionally been the standard.
Bjerrum Nielsen, a Danish carpentry company known for its high-end wood components, has taken a big step forward in automation by combining Nordbo’s Mimic system with a Universal Robots UR10e, a Nordbo Active Compensation Unit, and a Mirka sander mounted on a welding table.
The setup enables their team to teach the robot directly by demonstration — simply by guiding the tool over the surface to be sanded. This intuitive approach eliminates the need for complex robot programming and allows skilled craftsmen to transfer their manual expertise directly to the robot.
One of Bjerrum Nielsen’s signature projects involves crafting the oak moldings for Bang & Olufsen’s BeoLab 50 speakers — known worldwide for their iconic design and exceptional sound quality. Here, precision and surface consistency are crucial, and Mimic has proven to be a perfect fit.
“With Mimic, programming the robot has become much faster and far more intuitive,” says . It allows our operators to record complex movements directly by hand and refine them digitally — without needing expert-level robot programming skills.”
By introducing Mimic, Bjerrum Nielsen has:
Reduced programming time dramatically
Lowered the barrier to automation for new employees
Increased consistency and quality across their production
Opened new possibilities for automating other finishing processes
Mimic and UR10e together make it easy for operators to record complex motions and refine them digitally. Combined with the Active Compensation Unit, the system automatically adjusts for surface variations, ensuring smooth and uniform sanding — even on curved or irregular shapes.
The result is a perfect blend of Danish craftsmanship and modern robotics, helping Bjerrum Nielsen maintain its reputation for quality while embracing the future of automation.
Watch the CEO of Bjerrum Nielsen explain how Mimic makes robot programming easier and more intuitive.