The automation of CNC machines is revolutionizing metalworking. With Schuster Maschinenbau and KOCH Steuerungstechnik as regional pioneers at the forefront, companies benefit from more efficient processes and higher productivity.Our current successful project: the automation of three Schuster pick-up lathes with a KUKA robot on a 7th axis - with a total length of 13,000 mm and a travel distance of 12,440 mm. All three machines can thus be loaded in parallel.
The requirements for the project were high: a high degree of autonomy for the production system, maximum utilization of the machine tool and robot as well as flexible and modular components were needed to automate the lathe.
However, when implementing the automated system for loading and unloading machine tools, we were able to rely on the expertise of KUKA system partner KOCH, which specializes in innovative and sophisticated robot cell solutions.
And this is how optimum automation works thanks to robotics: the loading system is used to supply raw parts and empty baskets to the machine tools for CNC hard turning on tables. The baskets with the finished parts are stacked via the system in modular shafts for floor rollers and Euro pallets. A basket gripper is used to transport the baskets, as are modular work tables with basket shelves and basket identifiers.
The highlight: The utilization of the robot and the Schuster machine tool has been maximized so that three machines can be loaded in parallel with just one robot. The robot's reach is also fully utilized. The chutes for floor rollers and Euro pallets can be flexibly exchanged along the 7th axis and adapted to the production conditions.
This automation solution with the KUKA IONTEC KR50 R2500 robot offers many advantages, such as reduced downtimes, higher profitability thanks to full utilization of the robot and flexible adaptation options to market conditions.
The Schuster team would like to thank the experts from KOCH Steuerungstechnik for their trusting and goal-oriented cooperation. The use of an innovative simulation tool in the planning and design phase was particularly helpful. This enabled weak points and potential errors in the production process to be identified and rectified in advance. We were also impressed by the user-friendly HMI access via tablet and cell phone, open interfaces and the unique Doku Wiki system.
