ROBOTS TO THE RESCUE

AN INCREASING NUMBER OF COMPANIES ARE OPTING TO CONNECT AND AUTOMATE THEIR MACHINE TOOLS TO ENHANCE PRODUCTION PRODUCTIVITY. THE SELECTION OF THE APPROPRIATE AUTOMATION SYSTEM IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IN THIS REGARD. THE USE OF ROBOTS AND SUITABLE GRIPPING TECHNOLOGY IS PROVING TO BE SIGNIFICANT IN BOOSTING OVERALL EQUIPMENT EFFECTIVENESS.

- SUJATHA VISHNURAJ

THE CUTTING TOOL INDUSTRY CONSTANTLY searches for technology solutions to the challenges it faces. To remain competitive, high-end manufacturing companies are looking for accurate, reliable and maintenance-free machine tools offering fast change-over, programming and setup. The machining industry—including capital equipment like lathes, mills, machining centres, forges presses and injection moulding machines—has been the backbone of manufacturing. It is unlikely that any job shops or manufacturing plants have not invested in this technology.

Automating these machines gives manufacturers clear advantages in terms of utilisation, secondary process, labour resources and productivity. Industrial robot technology could provide an excellent base for machining because it is flexible and affordable. Manufacturers can improve throughput and overall equipment effectiveness by automating the process of loading and unloading machines. Machining robots provide many advantages for users to enhance their operations, improve efficiency and promote increased performance.