Smartly automating a VMC: General Industry Coverage

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END USER: K-Fab Inc., (408) 727-5311, www.k-fabinc.com. CHALLENGE: Increase spindle utilization for a vertical machining center while reducing labor requirements. SOLUTION: A nonrobotic automation system for VMCs. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Simons Design Innovation, (408) 398-3296, www.simonsdesigninnovation.com

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Perplexed by the lack of nonrobotic automation for vertical machining centers, which require an operator to clamp and unclamp the vice at the correct moment to achieve a high spindle utilization rate, Steve Simons, president of Simons Design Innovation, decided to do something about it. He noted prior, documented attempts to automate VMCs failed to overcome obstacles with vice cleaning, stock positioning and workpiece clamping.

Involved in the manufacturing industry since the 1970s, including starting the RockShox bicycle suspension company, Simons began mulling how to achieve VMC automation about a decade ago. His Mountain View, Calif., company then built a working prototype in 2010 and launched Smart Valet Model SV-1 in May at an event held at K-Fab Inc., a parts manufacturer in Santa Clara, Calif.

The automation system integrates with virtually all VMCs and takes about 5 hours to install, according to Simons. He explained that an operator begins the machining process by placing workpieces on a conveyor belt, which delivers them to the machine. A programmable logic controller opens and closes a machine’s door and vice, and an actuator cleans the vice and feeds stock into the vice. After a part is machined, it’s moved to an unload station where the actuator pulls the part from the vice and places it onto an ejection tray. The cycle then repeats.

Images courtesy of Simons Design Innovation

Steve Simons, president of Simons Design Innovation, developed the Smart Valet for automating VMCs.

“The ejection tray acts both as a conveyor to bring the part out of the machine and a drain board to remove oil or water and return it to the machine,” Simons said.