The machining industry plays a crucial role in the world of manufacturing. Lathes, forges, presses and other machines are required to make a huge variety of products, and automating these machines helps businesses work more efficiently and for longer. Machine tending solutions enable you to connect your equipment to robotic systems that keep your production line running.

Why Use Robots for CNC Work? 

Robots can be used to automate repetitive tasks or those where accuracy is essential. They can keep up a steady pace around the clock, delivering increased productivity without sacrificing the safety of a human operator or quality control over the final product. Robots can handle picking and packing, tool changes, loading, and many other tasks that may be dangerous, time-consuming, or demanding for humans.

Using robots for machine tending helps reduce labor costs while maintaining the quality of your products. In a world of thin margins and increasing costs, the financial benefits of automation can be significant.

Types of Industrial Robots

There are several types of robots that can be used to manage CNC machines. Articulated robots are useful for precision work. Robot arms can be used to change tools or manipulate objects precisely or hold them in a stable position for extended periods.

In contrast, gantry robots are linear robot systems that move in a straight line and are operated by a drive system and control system. Gantry robots are usually faster than articulated robots and excel at carrying out repetitive tasks within their coverage area. However, they have a limited range of motion.

Collaborative robot systems are designed to work alongside humans. Some robots have power or force-limiting safeguards to prevent humans from being injured if they’re working in the same area as the robot, while others are either human-controlled or simply have collision detection systems and pause their tasks if a human comes close to them.

Key Features of CNC Machine Tenders

CNC machine tending systems can carry out a variety of tasks, including:

  • Automated loading and unloading of raw materials
  • Tool changes
  • Cleaning
  • Quality control detection
  • Upstream and downstream assembly tasks
  • Transferring parts to the next stage of production
  • Material handling

Robots can be linked to a variety of machines, and many CNC systems have software that assists with robot control.

Industries and Applications

Robot machine tenders are already used in a variety of industries. For example, automotive and aerospace manufacturers use robots to assist with assembly, especially for handling large and heavy parts that are dangerous for humans to manipulate.

In the medical sector, robots help automate processes that require precision, such as dispensing ingredients for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

CNC Machine Tender Integration

Today, many smart manufacturing systems offer built-in integrations for machine tending robotic systems. These smart integrations enable companies to get started with machine tending without the need for complex programming.

Those with more sophisticated needs can still use APIs and systems integrations to achieve the level of control they require over their robots.

About A.I.S. Robotics

At A.I.S., our team of highly trained engineers have experience in a variety of industries. Our depth and breadth of experience enable us to offer quality services to our clients. We take the time to learn about your needs and provide you with a robotic solution that works for your operation.

Get Started With CNC Machine Tending

Discover how our robotic solutions for CNC machine tending can help improve everything from production rates to worker safety, all while reducing the chance of human error. To learn more about our CNC machine tending and industrial robotics solutions, contact A.I.S. today to request a quote or book a consultation.