Robot cells in CNC machining – the benefits for you as a buyer

A robot cell at a CNC machine takes over the repetitive work: picking a blank, placing it in the machine and removing the finished part. As a buyer of machined parts, you notice it above all in quality, lead time and price.

How does a robot cell at a CNC machine work?

The robot picks blanks from an infeed conveyor, opens the machine door and places the part in the fixture. When machining is complete, it removes the part and places it on an outfeed conveyor, and the next cycle begins. The fixture and the robot’s gripper are adapted to the part. The robot can also wash and blow off the part.

Milling with robot loading

For milled parts, the robot loads the part into a fixture in the machine. Fast machining centres such as the Fanuc Robodrill are particularly well suited, as short cycle times and the robot’s steady pace give continuous production without unnecessary stops.

Turning with automatic bar feeding

In turning, automation is often handled by a bar feeder that feeds new material. Together with a sub-spindle, the part can be completely finished without anyone having to touch it.

The benefits of robot cells

More consistent quality

The robot places every part the same way, every time. This reduces variation between parts and the risk of errors during clamping.

Unmanned operation and more machine time

The machine can keep working during breaks, evenings and nights. More productive time per machine gives more capacity without the need for more machines.

Shorter lead times

When the machines run more hours per day, a series is finished sooner, and it becomes easier to keep the promised delivery date.

Lower unit price in series

The cost of operator time per part falls when the robot handles the loading. In larger series, this shows in the price.

Better working environment

Heavy and repetitive lifting is moved from people to the robot. Operators can instead focus on set-ups, programming and quality control.

When does robot loading pay off?

• When the same part is produced in recurring series.
• When the cycle time is long enough for the robot to keep up, but short enough to produce many parts per shift.
• When the part can be gripped and placed in a stable way.

For smaller series, a machine without a robot may be the best choice. That is why we have both robot-loaded and manually loaded machines, and choose the most cost-effective method for your part.

Robot cells at Hestra Teknik

Three of our machining centres have robot loading, including a Fanuc Robodrill with a Fanuc robot. Our CNC lathe has a bar feeder and sub-spindle. Read more about series contract manufacturing »

Do you have a part you want machined? Send us the drawing and we will come back with suggestions and a quote.