Industrial Robot Loader

August 29, 2017
Industrial Robot Loader

ANCA Inc. custom-designed and built a new industrial robot loader for exhibition and demonstration purposes and is currently not available for sale.

Pat McCluskey, ANCA’s co-founder and lead designer on the project said: “We recognize that as the market moves towards greater automation, providing a low-cost solution for tool loading was something our customers would welcome. I've been asked how it is that ANCA is able to develop its own industrial robot. For us, it is a logical extension for our company whose strength is having multi-disciplinary technical expertise and an intimate knowledge of the CNC market. It's actually a relatively simple task to develop the mechanical aspects of an industrial robot, but to make it function successfully you better be expert in designing your own CNC system, digital servo drives and core software--skills that are ANCA's unique strengths in the tool grinding industry.

“The ANCA robot does not use a separate free-standing controller. The control system software actually runs concurrently within the machine's CNC core software and uses the machine's operator panel and hand-held pendant to perform the teaching. If you can use an ANCA tool grinder, you can use an ANCA robot as well, and our engineers can easily service your ANCA robot. We pride ourselves on providing customers with a complete ANCA machine solution and that is why we have invested in developing our own industrial robot.”

According to an ANCA spokesperson, “ANCA is known for being the market leader, pushing the boundaries of existing technology. We develop new products and innovations that continue to raise the bar of what a CNC tool and cutter grinder can deliver for our customers. Coupled with this, our commitment to investing in creating our own technology provides a complete machine solution and guarantees ANCA’s promise of quality and expertise.” 

Related Glossary Terms

  • computer numerical control ( CNC)

    computer numerical control ( CNC)

    Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.

  • grinding

    grinding

    Machining operation in which material is removed from the workpiece by a powered abrasive wheel, stone, belt, paste, sheet, compound, slurry, etc. Takes various forms: surface grinding (creates flat and/or squared surfaces); cylindrical grinding (for external cylindrical and tapered shapes, fillets, undercuts, etc.); centerless grinding; chamfering; thread and form grinding; tool and cutter grinding; offhand grinding; lapping and polishing (grinding with extremely fine grits to create ultrasmooth surfaces); honing; and disc grinding.

  • industrial robot

    industrial robot

    Robot designed for industrial use. Primarily used as a material-handling device but also used for changing tools, assembling parts, and manipulating special tools and measuring devices. Depending on design, an industrial robot can be programmed to perform a task by means of a controller, or it can be “walked” through the required movements by utilizing a digitizing system that translates movements into commands that the robot can be “taught.” See robot; teaching pendant.

Additional Products from ANCA Inc.

With nanometer resolution and control over the tool grinding path, the MicroX ULTRA delivers a high level of surface and edge quality. This achievement is made possible through intelligent algorithms that operate collaboratively and in synchrony.

As the only micro tool grinder with nanometer control, optimized mechanical layout and axes travel, integrated tool measurement and progressive automation, this six-axis grinder is the ideal solution for volume production of tools down to 0.03mm.

Flexibility is a key feature of the tap grinding process on the TapX. The specially designed machine and powerful ToolRoom software ensure a vast range of tap types and sizes can be designed and manufactured in one set-up. Combine this with the benefits of quick changeover time and it's not…

The FX7 ULTRA not only grinds tools faster than other machines, but also produces tools with both finer surface finishes and greater accuracy — which means superior tool performance and quality.

Utilizing ANCA’s machine platforms with a robot cell, blanket grinding offers flexibility across a range of tool sizes and applications. Blanket grinding allows for full automation of tools of similar geometries, by consolidating all tool grinding processes into one single machine. A batch of…

With the ANCA RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) regrinding solution, tools of various types and diameters and from different orders can be dynamically loaded, rather than having to sort them by diameter or customer as was previously necessary in mixed batches.

To increase the stiffness of the C-axis, the MX7 ULTRA combines developments to the nanometer or micro degree resolution in the linear and rotary axis, tuning parameters, several system enhancements, and major mechanical changes.

ANCA has designed a special dental drill loading kit including tailored RoboMate pallets for FX machines using a Fanuc 200iD robot loader. The pallet top allows a reduction of the insertion depth of the shank with an 8mm pocket depth, so that drills with only 10mm of available shank length can be…

The FX5, with the new 12kW spindle delivers increased productivity up to a diameter of 10mm. At 19kW, the new high-powered spindle option can enhance productivity further for tools up to 12mm and above. The high-powered spindle option on FX5 matches the grinding spindle fitted to the FX7 machine…

The 70% reduction in measurement time compared to Laser Plus is achieved through the new Analog measurement. The Analog measurement is a continuous edge scan instead of number of digital points along the cutting edge. This process also eliminates variations caused by machine standing idle, errors…

PRODUCTS

11/20/2024
Jorgensen Conveyor and Filtration Solutions, Mequon, Wisconsin, highlighted its distinctive…

10/23/2024
The Starrett AVR400 offers full CNC capabilities including X-Y-Z positioning and comprehensive zoom…

10/23/2024
TIN Coated Thread Gages have high dimensionally stable HSS construction with TIN coating that…