Universal Robot is cost-effective for tending CNC turning centre

In the absence of a viable automated alternative, Danish company Linatex had continued to use manual labour to feed parts into a CNC turning centre for more than a decade. The company avoided robots because they were felt to be too expensive and inflexible, as the systems required dedicated and specialist support to reprogram them for other tasks.

However, the recent introduction of a Universal Robot into the production process changed the company's perception of robots, allows better use of manpower and significantly increases production capacity. Its ability to serve a variety of automation tasks is particularly important to Linatex, as the company provides a specialised manufacturing service that involves small production runs.

Linatex processes engineering plastics and rubber for a wide range of industrial sectors. Its products are found in everything from artificial hips to aeroplanes and wind turbines. Kenneth Midjord from Linatex explains how the Universal Robot has transformed operations: "The operator used to feed parts piecemeal into the CNC turning centre, wait for the machine to complete its cycle, then remove the part. Now the machine can operate unattended until the store of plastic parts is empty. The robot really is a helping hand."

Specification

The Universal Robot specified is a six-axis robot arm with a working radius of 85cm. It weighs just 17.5kg and has a load capacity of 5kg. It comes complete with an easy-to-use, fully programmable touch screen interface. This simple and highly versatile robot system is now available in the UK from R. A. Rodriguez.

Linatex uses its robot mainly on relatively large production runs of 10,000 pieces. It loads and unloads the machine tool and the company has plans to extend its use for batches down to 50 items in size. Product Manager Jørn Trustrup says: "To use it on other tasks is simple. Our employees can program it themselves with a little training."

The system comprises an arm and a touchscreen that displays easy-to-follow instructions on how to program the robot. It is even possible to take hold of the robot arm to teach the required movements. High-resolution encoders on the motors and gearboxes continuously record the robot's position in relation to the program.

Trustrup continues: "It is an advanced robot, yet extremely simple. It can be easily moved around the plant to do different jobs. Comparatively noiseless, its energy consumption is also low. And although some employees were initially nervous of the new tool, its user-friendliness quickly softened their scepticism."

Although the Universal Robot has only been installed for a short time, Linatex is confident that it will reap financial reward from its investment. Trustrup concludes: "It may even have paid for itself after just four months."

Follow the link for more information about the Universal Robot from R.A. Rodriguez.