Automation Systems

With the Sinumerik 828 CNC family, Siemens is now offering a simple solution for connecting robots to machine tool, which has become an integral part of automated production cell setup. Different types of robots designed by different manufacturers can be connected to CNC machines equipped with the Sinumerik 828D family using the Sinumerik Integrate Run MyRobot/EasyConnect interface to perform handling tasks.

Easy-to-install, light-weight and robust, the OptoForce 6-axis sensors create a sense of touch for robots required to perform high-precision work, such as polishing, box insertion and other finer assembly tasks. Currently compatible with robots from Universal Robots and KUKA, and soon with ABB and Yaskawa, OptoForce sensors automate these tasks, increasing efficiency, speeding project development and decreasing overall production costs.

Automation is essential in helping manufacturers achieve maximum return on investment from their machine tools. Makino offers the availability of a new design configuration for its MMC2 automated pallet-handling system, which enables full compatibility with the company’s a61nx-5E 5-axis horizontal machining center.

On Robot is bringing its technology to North America to provide manufacturers with more user-friendly, safe and flexible grippers for collaborative robots (cobots). On Robot’s two-finger RG2 grippers—available in both single and dual versions—mount on the arms of cobots without any external wires; for robots that have infinite rotation of the last joint, this enables unprecedented flexibility and productivity, according to the company.

For machine types STUDER S31 and STUDER S33, United Grinding offers a loader solution featuring a portal loader system with dual grippers. The loader system is said to be suitable for shaft components up to a part length of 300mm and a grip diameter of 4mm to 75mm, which covers the majority of the spectrum of parts produced on these machines, according to United Grinding North America.

Learning how to set up and program a collaborative robot – or cobot – no longer depends on real-life access to a robot or a training class. Now everybody with a desire to learn the concepts of cobots can log in to the Universal Robots Academy and get the introduction necessary to master basic programming skills.