Automation & Robots
Simplifying Machine Load/Unload Automation
Today, lower part volumes and frequent change-over are changing the offerings of some automation integrators. Standard, off-the-shelf components are being engineered to work together in a large variety of applications and, in some cases, are even portable so they can be moved from machine tool to machine tool.
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Bar Feed Considerations For High-Speed, Lights-Out Machining
There are design elements incorporated into today’s 12-foot, magazine-load bar feeders that make them more useful for high-speed and untended operation. This article looks at some aspects to consider before purchasing a 12-foot bar feeder.
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Accurate Barstock Alignment Provides Faster Speeds
Recent developments in sliding-headstock turning machines allow for faster feed rates and higher spindle speeds—both aimed at increasing throughput to improve productivity. Sometimes, though, these machines cannot reach their full potential because of other equipment that runs in conjunction with it.
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Gantry Takes Hands Out Of Part Handling
Automating material delivery and removal from the machining process is one key method of taking some of the production cost from manufacturing. Iemca, known for automating machine tools with its line of bar feeders, has introduced a new gantry system for chucked parts.
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Measure Roundness, Roughness And Form With One Instrument
For those in the market for accurate and reliable roundness measuring instruments, here’s a line-up designed to offer the right balance of capability, automation and capacity for a range of applications and budgets.
Read MoreAutomate Or Liquidate Against Low-Wage Economics
There is a solution to at least maintain the “status-quo ante.” This is achievable through automation made available to the backbone of Western industry—the job shop where a beachhead can be established to retaliate against lower labor costs of these “New Age” challengers. Also, automation is available as a cost-effective solution to lower batch quantity production to help reduce leadtime and improve competitiveness.
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Workholding Advantages Of Barstock
Barstock is versatile raw material. It’s easily held, easily fed and has significant capacity for many parts per bar. Usually we think of barstock and bar feeders in relation to turning machines. What about applying the advantages of automatically fed barstock to a vertical machining center?
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Productivity Increases With Automatic Short-Load Bar Feeder
This company was skeptical about replacing its 12-foot bar feeders with an automatic, short-load system until it tested one manufacturer's system.
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U.K. Shop Is Turned On To Lights-Out Machining
Fisadco Engineering, a Hull, United Kingdom precision machining firm, had some reservations about unmanned machining, but it has become a staunch advocate since it installed a Tornado 220M lights-out turning package from Colchester CNC (Kalamazoo, Michigan) in 2004.
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One Guide Channel, No Spindle Liners
It’s only 5 years old, but bar feed manufacturer Top Automazioni is growing fast. On a recent visit to the company headquarters in Italy, I found out first hand how technology has developed faster change-over of bar feeders and how it is fueling demand.
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