Automation & Robotics

TL Aerotek grew from a small shop into a larger precision-components operation by combining Expand Machinery systems with Mitsubishi Electric automation and LoadMate Plus robotic machine tending.

Lyndex-Nikken, manufacturer and provider of high-performance machine tool accessories and machine tending solutions, has been named a FANUC Authorized System Integrator for machine tending. According to the company, this collaboration highlights the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge machine tending, specifically through the modular Lyndex-Nikken EZ-AutoCart machine tending system with the FANUC CRX-20iA cobot.

Manufacturers invest heavily in advanced cutting tools, high-performance CNC machines, and optimized cutting strategies, and they expect a strong ROI. Yet even in well-run shops, expensive spindles often sit idle for reasons unrelated to tooling or cycle time, including operator availability, inconsistent part handling, and short production windows.

Fastems’ higher payload version of its Flexible Pallet System (FPS) is designed to integrate larger machining centers. FPS is a modular automation system that enables high spindle utilization in mixed manufacturing with 4 and 5 axis milling and mill-turn machines. The FPS-1500 features a modular 360-degree design, integration capability with over 90 machine tool brands, and production planning capabilities.

Shops new to automation can start with turning. Simple tools like bar feeders, tool monitoring, redundancy, and probing create stable, unattended processes.

AI-Driven Robot Tackles Tedious Sanding, Boosting Consistency and Efficiency

Part 1 of our ERT mini-series: Cole shows how mobERT mobile robots automate Rollomatic grinding — machine tending, AI 3D bin-picking, AMR navigation, and smart-factory workflow.

UR Unveils Long-reach Cobot; Move Multi-Ton Robots Without Cranes; Start-Up Offers AI-Powered Knowledge Capture; Robot Diagnostics Keep Automation Running.

A collaborative robot integration slashed plasma cutting cycle times, boosting throughput and safety.

The ultimate goal of tool-monitoring technologies is to help shops keep their machine tool doors closed longer — because open doors let the money out.

System 3R, part of GF Machining Solutions, introduced its latest breakthrough in manufacturing automation at IMTS 2024 with the debut of Autonomous Mobile