Modern Machine Shop

SEP 2013

Modern Machine Shop is focused on all aspects of metalworking technology - Providing the new product technologies; process solutions; supplier listings; business management; networking; and event information that companies need to be competitive.

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feature In the shop's ERP system, the robot has an identity code like every employee so the software can track its performance. Here, Stabiltec's Mark Campbell demonstrates clocking the robot in. new lathe won't have to be as large as the current one because all of the long-tool drilling and boring will remain with this first machine. Thus, for the price of a relatively inexpensive machine tool, the shop will realize even more of the automated cell's potential productivity. More CapaCity CoMing Welding is likely to be the next candidate for robotic automation, Mr. Boutte says. Similar to machining, certain welding operations involve simple and repetitive tasks that take an employee away from higher-skill work. In the machining area, the robot has demonstrated the value of automating these simple tasks. Indeed, the one place the robot is like a human employee is in the shop's Global Shop Solutions ERP system. The shop has given the robot an employee code within this software Stabiltec, call 337-232-6155 or visit stabiltec.com FANUC Robotics, call 800-477-6268 or visit fanucrobotics.com Mighty USA, call 800-664-4489 or visit mightyviper.com Haas Automation, call 800-331-6746 or visit haascnc.com Global Shop Solutions, call 800-364-5958 or visit globalshopsolutions.com 72 MMS September 2013 mmsonline.com so it can track the robot's per formance as a substitute for manual loading and unloading. Based on this tracking, Mr. Campbell is able to say that the robot has reduced the labor cost associated with transmission part machining by 76 percent while increasing transmission part machining capacity by 49 percent. There is still more capacity to be won. After the second lathe is added, Mr. Campbell says the most significant remaining limitation will be floor space. That a factor so simple could be so important might seem surprising, but in Stabiltec's case, this limitation has proven limiting indeed. Simply put, there is only so much room to place stock within the robot's reach. As a result, this space dictates how much production the cell can deliver. In fact, it is because of this limitation that the cell has yet to run for a full 24 hours—commonly running 16 to 20 hours in a day instead. To overcome this simple obstacle, the company is exploring a simple solution: a vertical rack system that will dramatically increase the output of the cell.

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