Kurt, Absolute Machine Tools Develop Automation Package

Kurt Workholding and Absolute Machine Tools have collaborated on a turnkey automation package for shops which features a Mitsubishi LoadMate Plus, Kurt 3600A pneumatic vise and Kurt RV36 robotic gripper working in tandem with a Tongtai VP-10 mass-production, high-speed vertical machining center.

The Mitsubishi LoadMate Plus is virtually a “plug and play” machine tending robotic cell, the company says. Along with a Kurt RV36 Gripper and automation-ready pneumatic and hydraulic workholding products, the package is designed to be an easy way to integrate automation into a shop’s production processes.

The VP-10 has X-, Y-, and Z-axis travels of 40.2" × 20.1" × 23.6" (1021 mm × 510 mm × 600 mm). High power servomotors produce 1,890 ipm (48 m/min) in X and Y, and 1,417 ipm (36 m/min) in Z. Acceleration in X, Y, and Z is 1.18G, 1.0G, 0.7G, respectively. It features a standard 10K-rpm, 20-hp direct drive spindle, and toolchanger that can hold as many as 30 tools. The standard Mitsubishi M80A control features a 10.4" (265 mm) touchscreen.

The package includes the Kurt 3600A VersatileLock pneumatic vise and RV36 robotic gripper. Designed for precision clamping, the vise’s “pull-type” action and AngLock jaws reduce stationary jaw deflection by at least 80%, the company says. A one-piece body and stationary jaw design is said to reduce weight and increase strength while providing 0.0005 clamping repeatability. Pneumatically actuated steel or aluminum finger configurations are available and attach to the vise using pull studs for changeability with a maximum payload of 50 lbs.

Absolute Machine Tool customers can purchase Kurt vises and RV36 grippers as part of a package with the VP-10 and LoadMate Plus. The LoadMate Plus also packages as a stand-alone robot cell using an RV-8 Mitsubishi robot.