Precision Machining Tech Review – August 2022: Preview of IMTS Automation & Robotics Innovations

Every month, we’re putting together a Technology Showcase, highlighting some of the product information that PM receives from supplier companies. For August, we focused on Automation & Robots that will be highlighted at IMTS 2022.

PM’s August Automation & Robots showcase includes a magazine bar feeder that enables unattended operation; a cobot series which is easy to use and integrate into users’ manufacturing processes; an automatic bar feeder which can stage up to 1,430 lbs of barstock for long unattended and lights-out production; and more as described below.

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Read PM’s July’s Technology Review.

Click on each link below to read the full product post:

Magazine Bar Feeder Enables Unattended Operation

Photo Credit: Edge Technologies

The Commander 8-80 from Edge Technologies is a compact, magazine-style bar feeder that features an 8- to 80-mm bar diameter capacity range for feeding 6 ft. and 12 ft.-long round, square, hexagonal and shaped bar stock into fixed headstock CNC lathes. With a large magazine capacity enabling unattended operation, the Commander 8-80 offers the advantage of automatic bar loading with a small footprint.

Absolute Machine Tools’ OB7 Cobots Features Easy-To-Use Design

Photo Credit: Absolute Machine Tools

Absolute Machine Tools and Productive Robotics says their OB7 Cobot Series are easy to use and integrate into users’ manufacturing processes. Maximizing the safety, convenience and productivity provided by collaborative robot (cobot) technology, the four different OB7 cobots in the series are engineered to handle a variety of payloads and sizes while accomplishing simple to complex tasks.

All-Electric Bar Feeder Optimized for Lights-Out Production

Photo Credit: LNS North America

LNS North America’s LNS Quick Load Servo 105 automatic bar feeder is designed to precisely load 1/4"-4 1/8" (6 mm to 105 mm) diameter, spindle length bars with overall lengths of 11" to 63" (not to exceed the combined length of the headstock, chuck and actuator). Model 105-L (extra-long pusher) loads bars with diameters of 3/8"-4 1/8" (9.5 mm to 105 mm).

Cobots Aim to Increase Company Capabilities

Photo Credit: FANUC America Corp.

FANUC America Corp., a developer of CNCs, robotics and robomachines, has expanded its lineup of its CRX Cobot series. Joining FANUC’s CRX collaborative robots series is the CRX-5iA, CRX-20iA/L and CRX-25iA. The CRX cobots complement FANUC’s existing line of CR and CRX cobots with a total of 11 model variations able to handle products from 4 to 35 kg. The cobots are suitable for a variety of manufacturing settings and applications.

Compact Industrial Cobot Features Enhanced Motion Control

Photo Credit: Universal Robots

Universal Robots’ UR20 cobot boasts an all-new design based on Universal Robots’ experience in highly refined engineering. The UR20 features an entirely new joint design that is said to enable  even faster cycle times, as well as the ability to handle heavier loads. Its 1,750-mm reach has been designed to work to the full height of the standard Euro-pallet, which the company says will transform the way businesses package and palletize.

Haubex’s Automatic Vise Change From Tool Magazine

Photo Credit: Lang Technovation

Lang Technovation says its Haubex is a flexible and cost-effective automation solution for small batches from batch size 2 that transforms the tool magazine into an automation system. The heart of the system is a workholding hood, which serves as a carrier system for the clamping device and the workpiece blank and is stored in the tool magazine.