Designed for job shops with small to medium lot sizes, the JobShop Cell from Methods Machine Tools is a fully integrated production cell that combines a RoboDrill VMC with a fully interfaced Fanuc six-axis robot for automated loading/unloading.
Pre-engineered to meet a job shop’s need for simple installation, fast setups, quick change-overs, operator safety and production flexibility, the cell can be configured to accommodate virtually any part that will fit in its 6" vise or chuck, the company says. It comes complete with inbound and outbound conveyors and guarding. The standardized work-handling interface accommodates a variety of hydraulic or pneumatic workholding options. The cell also can be equipped with an optional fourth axis and workholding fixture.
According to the company, robotic loading/unloading minimizes a long list of job shop problems: It reduces a shop’s dependence on skilled labor, is available at all times, reduces labor costs, reduces personnel problems, reduces scrap and increases productivity.
The Fanuc RoboDrill VMC offers a 14-tool (or optional 21-tool) toolchanger; torque to 56 foot-pounds; rigid tapping to 5,000 rpm (8,000 rpm optional); accelerations to 1.5 G in the X, Y and Z axes; rapid traverses to 2,125 ipm; feed rates to 1,181 ipm (2,362 ipm optional); high speed reverse tapping; and thread milling. The Fanuc LR Mate 200iC robot includes grippers, a teaching pendant and several customizable programs.
Related Content
-
There are usually better solutions to chatter than just reducing the feed rate. Through vibration analysis, the chatter problem can be solved, enabling much higher metal removal rates, better quality and longer tool life.
-
Almost any shop can automate at least some of its production, even in low-volume, high-mix applications. The key to getting started is finding the simplest solutions that fit your requirements. It helps to work with an automation partner that understands your needs.
-
From cobots to machine monitoring, this Top Shop honoree shows that machining technology is about more than the machine tool.