JNieman
Titanium
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2011
- Location
- Greater St Louis Area
Context/Background at bottom of post.
I'm looking for some pointers from the experienced on rearranging a multiple-HMC (each with pallet changer) cell to have automated loading/unloading of parts. I'd like to get my ducks in a row to be able to propose a solution to management and estimate the costs and ROI (no, not concrete numbers, just a forecast) but I'm having trouble getting a good start. I've looked into various models available, capabilities, and such, but I don't know much about the specifics of integrating them into the machines.
I'm also trying to figure out the most economical/efficient approach to loading/unloading of these parts, such as what "end of arm" grippers and what not. Right now, it seems like a table-mounted arm between/adjacent the machines would be best.
It's such a big topic, I'm having trouble figuring out which bite to take out of the elephant first! Any help would be much appreciated.
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Context/Background:
We have a few high volume customers that keep machines dedicated to running their parts into the foreseeable future. They run in a 3 machine HMC cell, though it could be down to 2 HMCs and a little hand finishing at the end (that won't be able to go away)
I'm looking into redesigning the fixturing to better utilize the machine volume and make the loading/unloading a little faster and more importantly, much more ergonomic and comfortable for the operators.
This is an operation ripe for automation, imo, and since I'm redesigning fixtures and workholding anyways, it's no thing to accommodate this.
They are Okuma MB5000 Horizontals. Parts are aluminum, ~.12 thick iirc, and about 1/2" x 7, 8, or 9" length (different variants)
I'm looking for some pointers from the experienced on rearranging a multiple-HMC (each with pallet changer) cell to have automated loading/unloading of parts. I'd like to get my ducks in a row to be able to propose a solution to management and estimate the costs and ROI (no, not concrete numbers, just a forecast) but I'm having trouble getting a good start. I've looked into various models available, capabilities, and such, but I don't know much about the specifics of integrating them into the machines.
I'm also trying to figure out the most economical/efficient approach to loading/unloading of these parts, such as what "end of arm" grippers and what not. Right now, it seems like a table-mounted arm between/adjacent the machines would be best.
It's such a big topic, I'm having trouble figuring out which bite to take out of the elephant first! Any help would be much appreciated.
------------
Context/Background:
We have a few high volume customers that keep machines dedicated to running their parts into the foreseeable future. They run in a 3 machine HMC cell, though it could be down to 2 HMCs and a little hand finishing at the end (that won't be able to go away)
I'm looking into redesigning the fixturing to better utilize the machine volume and make the loading/unloading a little faster and more importantly, much more ergonomic and comfortable for the operators.
This is an operation ripe for automation, imo, and since I'm redesigning fixtures and workholding anyways, it's no thing to accommodate this.
They are Okuma MB5000 Horizontals. Parts are aluminum, ~.12 thick iirc, and about 1/2" x 7, 8, or 9" length (different variants)