Robots and Automation in Metalworking
Machine-tending robots are often key components used to enable unattended or lights-out machining operations, adding capacity by taking advantage of time that’s currently unused, like nights and weekends. In many cases, robot integration enables shopfloor employees that were previously loading and unloading parts from machines to perform duties of greater value. Plus, today’s robots are faster and more intelligent than in years past and are also becoming increasingly viable for small-batch/high-mix production. In addition, collaborative robots, or “cobots,” use sensor technology that enables them function safely alongside humans in a shared work environment. That means no more isolating fencing is needed to separate worker and robot.
ESSENTIAL READING
VIEW ALL
4 Steps to a Cobot Culture: How Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Has Answered Staffing Shortages With Economical Automation
Safe, economical automation using collaborative robots can transform a manufacturing facility and overcome staffing shortfalls, but it takes additional investment and a systemized approach to automation in order to realize this change.
Read More
91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ- Season 1 Episode 2: The Automation Puzzle
There is a fundamental question we need to answer when we talk about automation: To what extent is automation an answer to the skilled workforce shortage, and to what extent is automation vs. Skilled labor the wrong comparison to make in the first place?
Listen
Choosing a Five-Axis Machine Tool With Automation in Mind
While much focus is placed on the machinery that moves parts, the features most important for automating five-axis machining are arguably found in the machine tool itself.
Read More
5 Tips for Automating Laser Marking With Robots
Automating laser marking can be a useful way to increase robots’ utilization, but the process requires careful planning for success.
Read More
Reducing Machine Cycle Times Both In and Out of the Cut
Increasing automation means setup times are lower than ever. How can shops optimize cycle times to match and win more business?
Read More
Turn-Mills 101
Turn-mills are a type of multitasking machine that can shorten cycle times and help facilitate lights-out machining for two common machining types.
Read MoreLatest Automation News And Updates
Methods Machine Tools, Multiaxis LLC, Announce AI Solution Investment
Multiaxis Intelligence will feature user-based digital twin for the manufacturing workforce.
Watch
Thomson Industries Cobot Transfer Unit Features Collision Detection
The Movotrak cobot transfer unit features collision detection that stops the cobot when it encounters an obstacle, facilitating collaboration and increasing productivity.
Read More
The HEH Group Expands Automation Offerings With Agile Robotic Systems
Agile Robotic Systems are well suited for CNC machine-tending applications, automating metrology systems and more.
Read More
Midaco’s Automatic Pallet Changer Enhances VMC Versatility
Midaco’s Automatic 4-Pallet Changer with trunnion system for VMCs enables fourth-axis machining, expanding versatility of a three-axis mill.
Read More
JIMTOF 2024 Report: EVs, AI and Autonomous Robots Abound
The 2024 Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF) showed how the manufacturing industry is adapting to the needs of electric vehicle manufacturing and adopting new technology including AI and autonomous robots.
Read More
Setting Up the Building Blocks for a Digital Factory
Woodward Inc. spent over a year developing an API to connect machines to its digital factory. Caron Engineering’s MiConnect has cut most of this process while also granting the shop greater access to machine information.
Read MoreFeatured Posts
Measuring Torque, Thrust Force for Smart Drilling Operations
To monitor drilling operations for smart manufacturing solutions, torque and thrust force can be measured.
Read More
Smooth Operators: Vibration Compensation Improves Robot Performance
Ulendo is working to apply its vibration compensation algorithm to robots. This application is more complex than its initial market of FFF 3D printers, but could result in faster, cheaper robots.
Read More
Cutting Part Programming Times Through AI
CAM Assist cuts repetition from part programming — early users say it cuts tribal knowledge and could be a useful tool for training new programmers.
Read More
Tactile Sensor Could Give Robots Human Touch
Gelsight’s tactile sensing technology could give robots more flexibility in the tasks and environments they can handle.
Read More
How to Automate a Prototyping Shop
By focusing machine tending on pallets rather than individual parts, KAD Models has automated its high-mix, low-volume workload — and thrived as a result.
Read More
Shop “Dims the Lights” With Pallets and More
Adding pallet systems brought Mach Machine success and additional productivity. The shop has since furthered its automation goals while adding new capabilities.
Read MoreFAQ: Automation
What is automation?
“Robot” is the first picture that comes to mind, but it means more than that. Automation could be machines that are able to do more in one setup, one handling. It also refers to other options like pallet systems for moving work around, in and out of machines. It refers to software that can automate certain operations. Automation is not a replacement or an alternative for people.
What is a cobot?
A collaborative robot or “cobot” is a robot that is safe to run unguarded near people. Most cobots are safe because they are speed- and force-limited, and they stop upon sensing contact with an obstacle. Cobots are also easy to relocate and reprogram for different tasks in a shop.
What should you know about cobots?
1. Cobots, vision and AI all go together.
2. Cobots do not guarantee safety.
3. Cobot applications need not feature collaboration.
4. Automation’s payback period is declining.
5. Trends in manufacturing favor collaboration.
6. Cobot adoption might be held back by lack of people.
7. Advancing AGV technologies make cobots mobile.
8. Attention recognition is coming.
9. Collaborative can be done in different ways.
10. “Collaborative” can be a bigger idea.
How do robots and 3D printing intersect?
1. 3D Printed End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT)
2. 3D Printed Off-Robot Accessories
3. Robot-Tended 3D Printers
4. Robots As 3D Printing Systems