Türkçe tr
English en
Русский ru
العربية ar
Español es
Português pt
Azərbaycanca az
Increases production speed
Parts are loaded between machines quickly and without interruption.
Safe, continuous automation in machine tending
With robotic machine tending solutions, we load parts into your machines in an orderly, safe and precise way, increasing your production speed.
Definition
What is robotic machine tending?
Robotic machine tending is the loading of raw parts into a CNC machine, press or machining center by a robot and the unloading of finished parts. By eliminating the time the machine waits for an operator, it keeps production running throughout the shift.
While an operator can attend to only one machine at a time, in a well-designed tending cell a robot can serve more than one machine. Steps such as a part buffer system, a measuring or washing station and palletizing can also be added to the same cell.
The result: less machine idle time, repetitive and risky loading work taken off your employees, and every part machined with the same precision.
What does the system deliver?
How machine tending contributes to production
Robotic machine tending systems bring speed, safety and continuity, making operations more efficient.
Supports employee safety
Repetitive and risky loading tasks are automated.
Repeatable loading
Every part is clamped and machined with the same precision.
Reduces manual workload
Operators can supervise more than one machine.
Reduces machine idle time
With consistent loading, the machine never sits idle.
Adapts to different parts
Flexible gripper and program structure for product changeovers.
Cell components
What is inside a machine tending cell?
We design the cell around your machine, your part and your shift plan.
- Robot and dual gripperLoads the raw part while simultaneously removing the finished part.
- Part buffer systemDrawers, conveyors or pallets for long periods of unattended operation.
- Machine communicationDoor, chuck and program selection run in sync with the robot.
- Inspection stationOptional measuring, washing or marking step.
Areas of use
Which machines can be tended by robots?
Orderly, repeatable production flow on CNC machines, presses, machining centers and assembly lines.
CNC machine tending
Automated loading and unloading of lathes and milling machines.
Press feeding
Safe, fast feeding of sheet metal parts into presses.
Machining center loading
Long periods of unattended production on multi-axis machining centers.
Assembly line feeding
Timely transfer of parts to assembly stations.
Pick and place
Picking parts from bins, conveyors or pallets.
Repetitive loading operations
A steady pace throughout the shift on high-volume jobs.
Can a robot be connected to my older CNC machine?
In most cases, yes. By adding an automatic door, a hydraulic or pneumatic chuck and digital I/O, existing machines can be made to communicate with a robot. We check suitability on site during the preliminary analysis.
How many machines can one robot tend?
It depends on the ratio between the machining time and the robot loading time. For parts with long machining times, a single robot can tend two or more machines.
Can machine tending enable an unattended night shift?
Yes. With a sufficient part buffer, automated measurement and safety monitoring, the cell can be designed to run unattended for long periods.
Woirtech
Let us strengthen your production together
Share your application and goals, and together we will define the right robot cell, layout and investment plan for you.
Last updated: