Robotic Loading Systems

The use of robots in all facets of manufacturing is commonplace. Mostly reserved for assembly operations, their use can take the place of many different parts of your manufacturing process. Adapted for our Centerless Grinding system, the system designed for IMTS 2006 was shown with a vibratory bowl to orient the parts, and segregate, so the robotic end effects can get a single part, and load into the grinder.

After grinding, another part is loaded into the machine, and the already ground part is palletized. This particular system was programmed so that every 10 parts was inspected on a Marposs gauge. The 4 different read-outs were able to feedback to the machine and make the necessary diameter adjustments required.

If a part was out of specification so that it required operator attention, the machine would pause, alerting the operator with a warning light. The machine can also be set-up for lights out grinding. If similar attention is required, the grinder’s control can alert the supervisor by way of their PDA.

The benefits of Robotic loading is not only efficiency, but the flexibility to multitask.