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.

For customers that require increased flexibility or more spindle power, or the increased automation capacity that a robot can provide, the FX7 Linear from ANCA offers these. The FX7 Linear offers a wide range of options for those looking to increase productivity and accuracy. Available as an option…

From 3D simulation software to LaserPlus, an in-process measurement system, to RoboTeach, which makes robotic loaders accessible and easy to program – ANCA has been building a toolbox of technology for our customers to reap the benefits of automation and Industry 4.0.

Thread milling is a versatile, cost-effective process for cutting a variety of threads, parts and workpiece materials on the same machine. This process produces an internal or an external thread by doing a helical interpolation on a CNC machine, which can make helical paths.

ANCA's iView measuring system that can measure the ground tool in its original clamping inside the grinding machine. This feature has recently been further enhanced with a new camera bracket design that allows operators to visually inspect and perform manual measuring of parameters like…

ANCA second-generation PremierPlus technology ensures consistent and efficient tool runout. With three times greater clamping force, tools are held more securely when grinding, increasing the consistency of tool geometry across a batch of tools. As the clamping force is increased it means more…

The CPX Linear has a large working envelope and powerful grinding spindles to achieve high precision and productivity for blank preparation. Using the pinch peel method of grinding, it offers the same strength, rigidity and thermal stability expected from an ANCA tool grinder.

Cloud-based management software is helping CNC machining to design, test and produce tools faster and more accurately than ever before. ANCA has developed its own Redax 2.0 software package to network grinding machines to send and receive data.

ANCA’s EDGe-Spark erosion power generator controls the energy level of the eroding spark for optimal surface finish, material removal and cycle time. It also enables a double-ended HSK wheel spindle for eroding PCD and grinding carbide and HSS.

ANCA offers the FCP4 high-production drill grinder (FCP4). Producing drills from 0.8 to 4mm with the new technology provides an exciting opportunity for drill makers, with important efficiencies and cost benefits by manufacturing a complete HSS drill on a single machine, according to the company.…

ANCA has delivered to market a single setup machine for complete tap manufacture. Continuing this tradition of industry firsts, ANCA offers the TapX Linear range of machines – a single setup tap grinding machine with LinX linear motor technology on X, Y and Z axis.

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