Degate robot end-of-arm tool and methods of use

An automatic degating system comprising:

• a fixture configured to receive a raw casting from an upstream assembly line station, the raw casting including a plurality of biscuits of excess material and a plurality of cylinder bores;
• a robotic arm comprising:
• a punch assembly comprising:
• a support bracket;
• a plurality of elongate rods extending orthogonally from said support bracket, each of said plurality of elongate rods having a predetermined length;
• and
• a respective cutting puck coupled to a distal end of each of said plurality of elongate rods, each said respective cutting puck sized and shaped to be inserted into a respective cylinder bore of the plurality of cylinder bores and configured to remove the plurality of biscuits of excess material from the raw casting;
• and
• a gripping device configured to engage lifting features on the raw casting after the plurality of biscuits of excess material have been removed.