Many shops today are looking to automation and automatic part loading as a means to reduce costs, increase throughput, and cope with the ongoing shortage of skilled labor. The Automatic Parts Loader (APL) from Haas Automation Inc. is a fully integrated solution for automating turning operations on Haas ST-10 through ST-35 turning centers, including Y-axis models.

The Haas APL automatically picks up parts from an external tray and loads them into the lathe for unattended turning. The dual grippers handle parts up to 5.8" (147 mm) diameter by 5" (127 mm) long, and weighing up to 10 lbs. (4.5 kg). The APL can load raw pieces into the machine, remove completed parts, and then return them to the table.

The APL is programmed directly through the Haas Next Generation Control, and set up using the Haas Visual Programming System, which guides the operator through the steps necessary to quickly and easily program the APL. An integrated light curtain keeps operators safe during automatic operation.

The APL operates in the background during normal lathe operations, returning parts to the storage table and retrieving new raw pieces while parts are being machined. The double-sided rotating gripper saves time by taking a part from the spindle and replacing it with a new piece without having to return to the storage table. The result is near-continuous, unattended machining.

To provide peace of mind during unattended operations, all new Haas machines come standard with HaasConnect mobile machine monitoring, which provides instant alerts about machine status via email or SMS text message – so you'll always know the operating status of your machine, even when running unattended. The Haas Next Generation Control is Industry 4.0-ready, with built-in Ethernet, available WiFi connectivity.