Machine tending automation involves using robotic systems to perform loading and unloading tasks, handling raw parts and finished products within the production process.
By automating repetitive tasks typically performed manually, manufacturers significantly reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and eliminate human error.
This technology includes collaborative robots (cobots) and industrial robots, and it is becoming an industry leader in achieving higher equipment effectiveness, rapid ROI, and increased productivity.
What is Machine Tending Automation?
Machine tending automation refers to the use of robotic arms and cobot machines for handling tasks such as loading raw parts, unloading CNC machines, and managing materials in industrial environments.
These solutions support machine operations, including CNC machining centres, grinding machines, lathes and injection molding machines, by automating previously manual processes.
Key Benefits of Machine Tending Automation
- Increased productivity: Automating repetitive loading and unloading tasks reduces cycle time.
- Enhanced product quality: Robotic machine tending solutions ensure precise handling of raw and finished parts, leading to high quality outputs.
- Reduced downtime: Automated machine tending optimises machine utilisation, significantly reducing downtime and improving machine uptime.
- Lights-out operations: Ability to maintain continuous, unattended production over shifts or overnight.
- Improved safety: Reducing human workers' exposure to potentially hazardous tasks enhances workplace safety.
Types of Machine Tending Automation Solutions
- Collaborative robots: Ideal for flexible and interactive machine tending applications alongside human workers.
- Industrial Robots: Ideal for larger payloads and faster speeds.
Why Collaborative Robots (Cobots) are Ideal for Machine Tending
Cobots from manufacturers like Universal Robots and FANUC machine tending robots offer:
- Easy integration: Quickly adapted into existing manufacturing setups and workflows.
- Safe interaction: Have the capability to operate safely near human workers without dedicated safety cages.
- Flexibility: Easily reprogrammable for new tasks, providing low risk and efficient robot deployment.
- Precision and repeatability: Capable of performing sensitive and complex machine tending tasks consistently.
CNC Machine Tending Automation
Automated solutions for CNC machines deliver significant advantages using proven solutions from Universal Robots and FANUC robots, industry leaders in CNC automation:
- Efficient loading and unloading: Robots improve cycle time and ensure consistent handling of parts.
- Reduced human error: Automation enhances precision, consistency, and reduces manual process errors.
- Increased efficiency: Machine tending robots can continue to operate during staff breaks and can operate during lights out production.
Choosing the Right Integrator to Design and Implement Machine Tending Automation into Your Factory
- Expertise in robotics: Choosing the right robotic integrator with the correct expertise will assist in smooth integration and they will address challenges related to machine door operations and robot deployment.
- Assess precision, accuracy, and customisation: Your integrator will tailor the robotic machine tending solutions to your specific needs and automation process.
- Use of vision systems: Your integrator will assess if a vision system is required. Vision systems from companies such as SensoPart & Wenglor are essential for tasks such as bin picking, unloading CNC machines, and press tending.
Olympus Technologies is a leading cobot and robot integrator based in Huddersfield with 35 years' experience in robotic integration, take a look at our Machine Tending website page to find out how we can support your company in taking steps forward in your automation journey.
Choosing the Right Machine Tending Automation Solution
- Evaluate compatibility: Match robotic solutions with existing machinery and production requirements.
- Assess capabilities: Determine necessary precision, speed, and payload capacities.
- Decide on cobot vs. industrial robots: Consider human proximity, tasks complexity, and integration ease.
- Prioritize ROI: Aim for solutions offering rapid ROI, low risk, and scalability.
Real-World Applications and Case Studies
- CNC machining: Cobots effectively automate loading and unloading CNC machines, enhancing productivity.
- Injection molding automation: Collaborative robots significantly reduce downtime and improve consistency.
- Grinding machine automation: Cobots deliver high quality outputs, improving efficiency and reducing human error.
Read Olympus Technologies Machine Tending case study with Schiedel Chimney Systems Ltd.
Getting Started: Practical Steps to Implement Machine Tending Automation
- Identify challenges: Evaluate current manual tasks and areas for improvement.
- Traditional vs. collaborative robotic solutions: Comparison highlighting advantages of different collaborative machine tending solutions to decide which would be besr for your company.
- Detailed assessment: Understand specific machine tending tasks, machine types, and production processes.
- Implement pilot tests: Start with smaller deployments, optimise solutions, and expand to full-scale operations.
Conclusion
Machine tending automation significantly enhances manufacturing efficiency, offering increased productivity, reduced costs, and higher quality finished products. Here at Olympus our customer have reported a typical increase of 15-25% more parts produced per shift after installation of their machine tending cobots.
By adopting collaborative robots, manufacturers can effectively manage repetitive and potentially hazardous tasks, reduce downtime, and focus human resources on higher value tasks.
With ongoing technological advancements, machine tending automation continues to deliver strategic advantages and long-term improvements in overall equipment effectiveness.
