Product category:
Flexible machining cells and systems (FMS)
News Release from: Yamazaki Mazak UK | Subject: Erowa robotic pallet load/unload systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 January 2008
Machining centres pallets loaded by
robot
In a system to automatically load/unload machining centres, a robot selects the pallet size to suit the job, so reducing the amount of space required for pallets in unmanned machining systems.
Yamazaki Mazak said that by using Erowa robotic pallet load/unload systems, factory automation is no longer restricted to users with extensive machining capacity, where several machines have to be automated to gain the maximum benefit The combination of an Erowa Robot Multi with Mazak machining centres is proving to be a popular decision, said the company
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Mazak has received numerous enquiries about the Erowa system since it was first shown at its recent celebration of '20 Years of Manufacturing' at its Worcester, UK, machine tool plant.
Mazak reported that it has received orders for five systems connected to Mazak Variaxis 500-5X II machining centres and a further one for a Mazak Horizontal Center Nexus 5000-II horizontal machining centre.
"Most enquiries are from customers who are looking to run their machines lights out overnight, but need a flexible system that will easily handle a range of component sizes," said Steve Richardson, European Development engineer at Yamazaki Mazak.
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"Typically, competitor systems only allow a single pallet size and cannot be extended to multiple machine or a mix of machines.
With the Mazak/Erowa combination, however, it is perfectly feasible to interface different machines types within the same system, as the Erowa interface is identical for all Mazak machines".
Mazak said a major advantage is its experience in 5-axis machining, and in particular the 'Done in One' (or one-hit, Ed) process that it has developed, whereby the part is fully machined in a single operation.
The implementation of a robotic loading system, such as the Erowa Robot Multi, becomes seamless.
The productivity gains that automation brings are maximised due to the fact that 'Done in One' eliminates multiple operations and set-ups.
* Small area - to maintain a small footprint for the system Erowa uses the concept of matching the pallet size to the part.
This reduces the amount of wasted space in the pallet stocker and allows more pallets to be stored in a given area.
The robot can automatically change the gripper to suit the specific pallet size.
Additional flexibility and capacity is added by using multiple levels of pallet storage, providing a capacity of up to 270 pallets spread across nine levels with a footprint of only 1m in the case of the Robot Multi.
Another advantage of the Erowa systems is that all pallets are stored horizontally making it much easier to change work pieces, which is achieved via the loading station without interfering with machine operation.
Where pallets have to be loaded into the machine vertically, in a horizontal machining centre for example, the pallet is rotated to the vertical position as part of the robot's movement.
"By the level of interest shown and the number of enquiries we have received we can already see that this partnership between Mazak and Erowa will continue to grow," said Richardson. Request a free brochure from Yamazaki Mazak UK ...
"This will allow more of our customers to benefit from higher levels of automation even when they have limited space.".
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