Robotic Machine Tender

Automated Cells & Equipment, Inc. located in Painted Post, NY, has introduced the model RMT robotic machine tender. Starting with the premise that floor space is at a premium and maximizing machine run-time is critical to every shop, Automated Cells (ACE) developed the model RMT robotic machine tender to provide automatic load/unload of high-speed, high-precision CNC machines.

This compact solution is only 41" wide x 92" long x 76" high and includes two modular belt conveyors for feeding parts into and out of the cell. Each conveyor utilizes a 16" wide belt and is 77" long designed for extended queuing capability for enhanced lights-out operation. Parts may be conveyed within plastic totes or directly on the included conveyors. Parts conveyed directly on the conveyors use available multi-lane guide rails and part nesting for robot pickup.

At 41" wide, the model RMT is designed for servicing two machines and maximizing return on investment. A long reach (911 mm) FANUC America LRMate 200iD/7L 6-axis robot is included. This robot offers reliability as well as high-speed operation and a 7 kg payload. The robot is available with either single or dual gripper end of arm tooling. Workholding and part cleaning is accomplished with flexible path programming and an optional on-board air nozzle.

How It Works

• Select the proper part program on the robot teach pendant and press start
• Place an empty tote onto the infeed conveyor, followed by up to three totes with raw parts
• The robot slides the first (empty) tote sideways into the finished part load position on the outfeed conveyor
• The next tote (containing raw parts) stops at the end of the infeed conveyor, the robot picks a raw part and moves to a re-grip station to qualify the part
• The robot requests to service the CNC machine, the machine door opens, the robot moves into the machine, cleans the workholding and then places the raw part into the workholding (on the next cycle, the robot will unload the workholding prior to raw part placement)
• The robot moves out of the machine, the door closes, the machining cycle starts and the robot places the finished part into the finished part tote
• Cycle repeats.

Additional Features

• Reinforced steel base with integral four-way fork pockets for easy machine relocation using a standard pallet jack
• Bolt-on extruded aluminum guarding for single machine or dual machine integration. Simply un-bolt the side panel guard to easily integrate a second machine tool in the future
• Touchscreen teach pendant provides a simple intuitive operator interface with helpful messaging regarding the status of the RMT as well as part program selection
• The model RMT runs on common 208 volt / 1 phase / 60 cycle shop power and 80 PSI air.

Available Options

• FANUC iRVision for non-fixtured location of incoming raw parts
• Transformer for 120 VAC operations
• Auto-door or door opener for faster robot machine access.
• "The RMT robotic machine tender is an ideal addition to any machine shop, providing reliable part load/unload capability and maximizing machine tool productivity and efficiency," said a company spokesperson.

For more information contact:

Automated Cells & Equipment, Inc.

9699 Enterprise Drive

Painted Post, NY 14870

607-936-1341

info@autocells.com

www.autocells.com