Robotic Machine Tending
Robotic machine tending is typically used for:
- Loading and unloading raw materials
- Transferring finished parts to post-processing
- Upstream and downstream assembly tasks
- Material handling
The specific processes a robotic system completes in each of these applications varies, but the common function is the loading and unloading of materials and parts.
One of the main benefits of robotic machine tending is the drastically improved uptime when compared to manual loading and unloading. The only time the robot needs to stop is for regular maintenance, meaning the productivity of the machine being tended is not limited by manual labor. This gain in uptime leads to major productivity gains by boosting throughput.
On top of the increased uptime, robotic machine tending systems are more accurate and repeatable than manual loading and unloading. Not only can this increase the quality of parts produced, but it can reduce the amount of error in the machining process, maximizing throughput and minimizing wasted materials and time.
EXAMPLE APPLICATION
FANUC Robots Tending Processing of Automotive Components
The system is designed to process rear suspension knuckles for passenger vehicles. The process starts with unfinished casting parts and delivers machined knuckles with a pressed bushing installed.
The system has 2 major subsystems: 1) Machining and 2) Assembly, which are connected by a pallet conveyor system. The cell consists of 6 CNC machines, 2 overhead FANUC gantry robots, pallet conveyor system, bushing bowl feeder and singulation, robotically tended automated poke yoke and servo-controlled bushing assembly stations.
EXAMPLE APPLICATION
High Volume Robotic Machine Tending
FANUC M710iC robots present brake rotors to a series of machining operations.