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28 MMS April 2017 mmsonline.com RAPID TRAVERSE Machining Technology in Brief blanks for a given job. The loading module features green and red indicators to serve as visual cues that all the par ts in a given row are or are not completed. Mr. Wallace says it's possible to program the robot to automatically flip the indica- tor once a row is completed. To enable safe operation with humans working nearby, an infrared scanning sensor at the base of the unit is used to dete ct when some one approaches the robot. Users set up outer and inner safety zones for each machine the Robo2Go tends. Robot motion slows when someone enters the outer zone and resumes its normal speed when the person exits that zone. Robot motion stops when someone enters the inner zone closer to the robot, and resumes once an operator answers the prompt in the Celos control to con- firm that the work area is clear. The Robo2Go can be moved from one machine to another using a fork truck. During setup, three template plates are positioned on the floor in front of the machine to initially locate the unit. The unit's mounting pads are locked into position on those plates. An operator then "teaches" the robot so that its position relative to the machine is known. This is done by touching off a few machine datum points, such as the face of the spindle or chuck. The unit and machine communicate via the Pro- fibus and Ethernet protocols. R o b ot p ro g r a m m i n g i s p e r fo r m e d at th e machine's tablet-like Celos control using the Robo2Go app. The operator simply enters the dimensions of the workpiece, chuck and end effector, and then selects the proper workpiece tray configuration. Skeleton programs can also be created and saved to be quickly modified for new jobs. DMG MORI USA Inc., call 855-364-6674 or visit dmgmori.com. A Waterjet Machine that Fits BY M A R K A LB E RT A brasive waterjet machines historically were found most often in fabricating shops, because the abrasive waterjet process is an attractive alternative to other means for cutting large sheets and plate. However, the capability and flexibility of waterjet machining also has proven of interest to shops primarily devoted to machining processes such as milling, turning, grinding and so on. The waterjet process is useful for precision prototyp- ing, short runs, cutting multiple parts from stacks of material, difficult and complex cutting opera- tions, and operations that complement more traditional CNC machines. Encouraging this has been the evolutionary Omax believes that making the abrasive waterjet unit look a lot like a CNC machining center makes the MicroMax more compatible with the typical machining job shop setting.