Job Shop Automation: Fast, Simple and Agile
When done right, automation can provide important benefits. Here’s a look at automation options to suit the varying needs of typical job shops.
Automation Idea for a Social-Distanced Halloween?
Maybe not. But, the candy-throwing robots at MetalQuest’s Nebraska facility do enable the contract machine shop to stand out at career fairs and similar events.
Benefits of Renting or Leasing an Industrial Robot
Choosing a robot rental or leasing plan might be a wise business decision compared with purchasing a robot outright.
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Automated Hard Turning, Grinding on One Platform
This inverted vertical turning machine can perform hard turning and grinding of chucked components such as gears while loading and unloading material and completed parts itself.
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3D Printing Creates a Window of Automation Opportunity
For this Omaha shop, periodic part inspection required an automated turning cell to pause production. Printing a plastic parts collection chute for delivery outside the cell solved this problem, and it turns out the shop has found 3D printing to be valuable in many other ways.
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Productive Robotics’ OB-7 Offers Longer Reach
OB7-Stretch can tend multiple machines at one time when the robot needs to reach more than one machine and when the robot needs to reach deeply into a machine.
What Robotics Means for the Cutting Tools Industry
Friend or foe? Helper or fiend? Here’s what robotics really mean for the cutting tools industry and which pitfalls to avoid.
Interest in Robotic Automation for CNC Machine Shops Increasing
Have you considered how robots can be beneficial to your shop?
OnRobot's 3-Finger Gripper for Handling Range of Cylindrical Objects
OnRobot introduces compact, large-stroke 3FG15 three-finger gripper that handles a range of cylindrical objects.
Getting Ready for Lights-Out Manufacturing
Lights-out manufacturing has the potential to save money while increasing capacity, but shops need the right equipment and to address potential challenges before implementing it.
A Hands-On Approach to Cobot Gripping
As humans and robots begin to work closer together, grippers that have the flexibility of the human hand will be more in demand.
Making Waves with Lathe Automation
After years of relying on an extensive machining cell for part production, this marine equipment manufacturer has now reduced part handling and improved quality through use of single-setup lathes and automated loading and unloading.
VIDEOS
Video: Cobot Considerations
Before investing in a collaborative robot, consider conducting a risk assessment to make sure the man and machine are matched to the application.
Automated Grinding Cell Adds Capacity
Like many shops facing changes in customer demands, Pennsylvania-based American Turned Products (ATP) is making the necessary adjustments and adding operations to continue to compete in the difficult, high volume market. One of those adjustments is the company’s recent installation of an automated centerless grinding cell.
Video: Parts Accumulator Allows for Unattended Machining
One of the advantages of a Swiss-type lathe is that once you’ve set up the bar feeder, you’re good to go until you run out of barstock. This accumulator simplifies the other end of the operation.
Cobot Fleet Addresses Labor Shortage
An Ohio manufacturer deployed nine collaborative robots to improve and optimize the work environment, automating hard-to-staff tasks such as machine tending, assembly and product inspection.
Customizing Collaborative Robots with 3D Printing
A company that helps manufacturing companies implement collaborative robots has found that additive manufacturing can produce custom parts for these systems faster and cheaper than machining.
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Ethernet Communications System Enables Interactivity Across LNS Product Lines
e-Connect enhances the performance of additional LNS products including chip and coolant management devices, high-pressure coolant and air filtration systems.
Bar Feeder Basics
Some primary factors are often overlooked when considering how to justify the implementation of a bar feeder for turning operations.
Suhner Quick Tool Change Options Allow Robot-Based Operations
The tool system offers a number of machine tools that can be mounted directly on the robot arm and ready for continuous use, the company says.
Improper Cobot Integration Can Cost $86,000 per Shift Operation
Cobots can improve efficiency, innovation and growth, but companies that buy them without well-defined objectives could be wasting a lot of money.
4 Key Criteria for Industrial Drive Specification
With automation shaping the landscape for industrial drive selection, it is vital for machine tool manufacturers to understand defining specification criteria.
