Accelerate Production: Efficient Loading & Unloading with KUKA Robots

Loading and unloading are two of the most common material handling applications performed by robots. Many companies, like KUKA Robotics, have requests for loading robots that can take the place of manual labor in their loading and unloading production areas because robots move faster than the human workers currently performing the tasks.

Sometimes though, a loading robot is not taking the place of manual labor at all. Sometimes, that robot is taking the place of another robot, one that moves less efficiently than the manufacturer requires. This was the case for Dihart, a manufacturer of precision machining tools that decided to invest in a KUKA loading robot to replace a gantry robot on the line. Dihart required an accurate KUKA robotic loader that could handle a wide range of blanks and finished tools, which it could then load and unload into a turning center. The gripper on the solution had to be flexible, and the system had to be highly reliable.

KUKA picked their best loading robotic system for the job, ensuring that it could load blanks into the turning center and remove them once the tools had been milled, according to the KUKA website. The three-finger end effector used was versatile enough to pick up an array of materials and move them into precise positions. The robotic machine loader from KUKA was a success. It had short set-up times and process reliability, along with high precision, which led to an increase in productivity overall.

When companies are looking to automate their machine loading applications, where should they go? To RobotWorx, of course! RobotWorx provides solutions from several different robotics companies, including KUKA Robotics. We have access to KUKA’s entire catalog of robots, controllers, software and end effectors, allowing us to put together just the right system for your application and budget needs.