Automation
It's A Machine Tool Robot
This machine has a dual identity. It looks like an industrial robot. In some applications, such as assembly, it is. However, put a spindle and cutting tool on the end of this five-axis machine and it becomes a machining and drilling center. The inherent stiffness of the machine's tripod design makes it accurate enough to machine aerospace and automotive applications.
Read MoreFlexible Automation Takes Over Piston Machining
This manufacturer of power garden equipment implemented a flexible transfer line and found it cost significantly less than one third the price of a traditional line.
Read MoreArizona Manufacturer Finds Night And Weekends No Problem For Automated EDM
A Mitsubishi VX10 working in conjunction with a System 3R Workman Robot routinely operates unattended from Friday afternoon until Monday morning for this Arizona manufacturer.
Read MoreOf Pogs And Shops
A few years ago, I came back from IMTS (I think it was 1994) with a give-away that Haas Automation had in its booth. It was a game called pogs.
Read MoreAutomating Milling Machines Expands List Of Machinable Projects
Find out what this manufacturer chose when they decided to automate their milling machines.
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Low Cost Turning Automation Yields A High Rate Of Return
Two CNC lathes, with live tooling, tool monitor, and auto-load short-bar bar feeders are helping this California manufacturer compete. They've seen impressive reductions in throughput time and manufacturing costs. And, they're just getting started.
Read MorePushbutton NC Programming
With numerical control (NC), shops learned how to automate the machining process. Now, with today's CAM software, they are learning how to automate the NC programming process.
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High Automation for Low Volume
Many people think flexible machining cells are for high production, but this shop finds just the opposite. Here's how they've grown their cell to meet the needs of their work.
Read MoreEDM And Automation: Not 'Oil And Water' Any Longer
Electrical discharge machining (EDM) was developed in the 1940's, used sparingly for burning out broken taps and dies until the 1970's, then utilized for single part operations, moldmaking and punch-die production in small lots until about ten years ago. This is when the first CNC versions emerged from several manufacturers, including Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi was said to lead primarily because they were the only EDM builder who also built their own machine controllers (through a sister division of the company). Today, CNC and manual machines are still produced, with several thousand units sold each year.
Read MoreNear-Net-Shape Turning Leads The Way To Simpler Automation
With cutting times measured in seconds, near-net-shape applications are the proving ground for automation efficiency, repeatability and accuracy in production turning.
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