Tool Production Center Runs “Lights-Out”
The RoboGrind CNC tool production center from Excalibur Tool has six CNC machine axes and an integrated Fanuc five-axis industrial robot. The center is designed to produce high-quality cutting tools from solid carbide or HSS, minimizing labor through the use of unattended, “lights out” manufacturing.
Share
The RoboGrind CNC tool production center from Excalibur Tool has six CNC machine axes and an integrated Fanuc five-axis industrial robot. The center is designed to produce high-quality cutting tools from solid carbide or HSS, minimizing labor through the use of unattended, “lights out” manufacturing. The center can operate autonomously for as long as 12 hours. The Fanuc LR Mate industrial robot is integrated to the center, so even double-ended tools can be produced automatically with no end chipping, the company says. Having six CNC axes allows the center to produce end mills, step tools, brazed tools and other special tools in one clamping. An optional telephone dialer can issue an alert to a cellular or home phone when the center needs the tool pallet reloaded, or in the event of a machine fault.
Related Content
-
Medical Shop Performs Lights-Out Production in Five-Axes
Moving to five-axis machining enabled this shop to dramatically reduce setup time and increase lights-out capacity, but success relied on the right combination of workholding and automation.
-
4 Manufacturing Trends That Cannot Be Ignored
The next five years will present their own unique set of challenges, and shops can alleviate them by embracing these technologies and trends.
-
Increasing Productivity with Digitalization and AI
Job shops are implementing automation and digitalization into workflows to eliminate set up time and increase repeatability in production.