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PUBLISHED
February 3, 2023
AUTOR
Royal Montgomery
CATEGORY
Deep Dive
TAGS
Automating an older CNC machine is possible, here's how.
As technology continues to
advance at a rapid pace, many manufacturing companies are looking for ways to
increase efficiency and productivity - and thereby competitivity. One way to do this is by automating older
CNC machines. These machines, which are used to
cut, shape, and finish materials, have been a staple in the manufacturing
industry for decades. However, older CNC machines can be difficult to automate
due to their age and lack of modern features.
In this article, we will discuss the common issues faced when trying to automate older CNC machines and provide solutions to these issues. We will also explore the benefits of automating older CNC machines and how it can help improve efficiency and productivity in the manufacturing industry.
[Did you know that Unchained Robotics is the largest online marketplace for cobots? Browse and compare models from dozens of brands. Transparent prices, huge selection, easy ordering. Start your automation journey today!]
In this article, we will discuss the common issues faced when trying to automate older CNC machines and provide solutions to these issues. We will also explore the benefits of automating older CNC machines and how it can help improve efficiency and productivity in the manufacturing industry.
[Did you know that Unchained Robotics is the largest online marketplace for cobots? Browse and compare models from dozens of brands. Transparent prices, huge selection, easy ordering. Start your automation journey today!]
CNC machine tending is one of the most commonly automated tasks
CNC machine tending is one of the most commonly automated tasks in the manufacturing industry. It involves the loading and unloading of raw materials and finished products from CNC machines, as well as monitoring the progress of the machining process. Automating this task can significantly improve efficiency and productivity, as it frees up human workers to focus on other tasks. For many companies new to robotics, CNC machine tending is often the starting point for automation. By automating this task, companies can gain experience with robotics and see the benefits firsthand before expanding automation to other areas.Common Problems with older machines
There are several common problems that can arise when trying to automate older CNC machines. These include:- Lack of automatic door: Older CNC machines often lack an automatic door for loading and unloading materials. This can make automation difficult, as a human worker must be present to open and close the door.
- Manual vice tightening and release: Some older CNC machines require the vice to be manually tightened and released. This can be time-consuming and may slow down the machining process.
- Lack of direct interface with the machine: Many older CNC machines do not have a direct interface with the automation system, which can make it difficult to communicate with the machine and control its operation.
These issues can all pose
challenges when trying to automate older CNC machines, but there are solutions
that can help overcome these challenges and make automation possible. - Long delivery times: New CNC machines can have long delivery times, which can be disruptive to your production schedule. This can be especially problematic if you are in a rush to get a new machine up and running.
- High cost: New CNC machines can be extremely expensive, especially if you are looking for one with advanced features and capabilities. This can be a significant financial burden for many companies, especially small or medium-sized businesses.
- Existing
machine is working well: If you already have an older CNC machine that is
working well and meeting your production needs, it may not make sense to
replace it. This is especially true if you are happy with the machine and do
not see any pressing need to upgrade.
So, just because the
machine is old doesn’t mean you need to replace it. It may be more
cost-effective and practical to automate the older CNC machine rather than
replacing it with a new one. Automation can help increase efficiency and
productivity, while also helping to extend the life of the existing machine. - The CNC machine door opens and the robot tool end enters.
- CLAMPBOOSTER attaches to the vice and twists, thereby loosening it.
- The three-part gripper turns and one of the grippers takes the piece out of the vice.
- It then turns and another gripper puts the new workpiece into the vice.
- It turns again and CLAMPBOOSTER tightens the vice.
- The robot then exits the CNC machine, depositing the already machined piece and picking up a new unmachined piece.
☑️ Problem 2
solved!
Why not just buy a new machine
You might be thinking: with so many hurdles, I may as well just buy a new machine! Well, maybe that makes sense for you but there are also several reasons why it may not make sense to just buy a new CNC machine:Solutions to all of the hurdles between you and automating your old machine exist. So, let’s check them out!
No automatic door
in automation solutions for CNC machines. Their flagship product ist Safedoor, a device that can be installed on top of a CNC machine to make automation possible. Safedoor is designed to receive commands from the automation system and then open or close the door of the CNC machine as needed. This allows the machine to be automated, even if it does not have an automatic door.To use Safedoor, the device is first installed on top of the CNC machine. It is then connected to the automation system, which sends commands to open or close the door as needed. When a command is received, Safedoor activates a motor that moves the door in the desired direction. This allows materials to be loaded and unloaded from the machine automatically, without the need for a human worker to manually open and close the door.
Safedoor is a useful solution for companies looking to automate older CNC machines that lack an automatic door. It can help increase efficiency and productivity, while also allowing these machines to be integrated into a fully automated production line.
☑️ Problem one, solved!
No automatic vise
from CNC machines. The CLAMPBOOSTER CB-10 system consists of a device installed at the end of a robot arm, together with two grippers. The device is attached to a custom quick changer with three attachment points, which allows the robot to carry three tools at once.Here's how CLAMPBOOSTER works:
No interface with the robot
you can’t see anything? No problem, introducing VisTech Opdra.VisTech Opdra allows for a robot to work with a machine without a direct interface with it. With VisTech Opdra a robot can "read" and interact with screens just like a person. The system is connected to a camera that is either placed on the arm or before the screen and it can then read text and status messages from the screen itself and input new data/make decisions based on what it is seeing there.
So even if a machine has a screen as its only interface, it can still be fully automated.
☑️ Problem three solved!
Suddenly anything is possible!
In conclusion, automating older CNC machines can be a challenging task due to their age and lack of modern features. However, there are solutions available that can help overcome these challenges and make automation possible. Companies such as Made4CNC offer products like Safedoor, which can be installed on top of a CNC machine to provide an automatic door for loading and unloading materials. CLAMPBOOSTER is another solution that allows robots to automate the process of loading and unloading materials from CNC machines. And VisTech Opdra is a system that enables robots to "read" and interact with screens, allowing for automation even if the CNC machine has no direct interface with the automation system.While there are challenges involved in automating older CNC machines, the benefits are significant. Automation can help increase efficiency and productivity, while also freeing up human workers to focus on other tasks. By considering these solutions and the potential benefits, manufacturing companies can determine the best approach for automating their older CNC machines and improving their operations.
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