Standard Machine Tending
The Capabilities of Standard Machine Tending
Midwest Engineered Systems takes machine tending to the next level by utilizing advanced technology to further reduce labor and increase flexibility. The MWES standalone, drop-in system is ideal for manufacturing settings that see a high mix of components with varying levels of inter-part commonality. This comes from the system’s ability to operate without relying on custom presentation racks and technician-developed programming for every new part style introduced. Removing reliance on both saves costs by reducing the need to purchase expensive fixturing, as well as retaining a dedicated robot programmer to update the system.
The advanced MWES cells are designed to bring the true promise of automated machine tending to production facilities, by reducing the need for workers to fill part racks for presentation to the machine. The machine tending cells are also designed to offer value-added operations that can sidestep resetting machines or require operator intervention to do simple, off-machine tasks. Both of these features allow employees to tend to more valuable operations while increasing efficiency.
How Standard Machine Tending Works
While there is a complexity of benefits that can be had from the MWES machine tending system, the manner in which it works is quite simple. At its core is a standard robotic arm coupled to a machine vision system. These two are affixed to a rugged, self-contained structure that features expansion bays that could be filled with off-machine operations.
Working in tandem with the robotic arm, the machine vision system is trained to recognize and identify specific workpieces, their location and attitude. Once the part is acquired by the vision system, the information is sent to the robotic arm. The arm uses that data to properly grip the part for placement into the machine.
After the machining process is complete, the robot retrieves the part. At this stage, the MWES machine tending cell can be outfitted with a number of off-machine operations including blowing off the part, deburring or inspection. These extra operations can be other stations within reach of the arm or fitted directly to the machine tending systems structure.
The part can also be re-gripped by the arm at this stage and replaced into the machine tool for further operations in areas that would have been impossible to access in the introductory placement. Once complete, the part can be again run through the off-machine processes or simply placed on an outfeed conveyor, destined for other production steps.
The entire system is built on a style of programming that allows for easier adaptation. This style of machine programming allows for the changing of part features without the need to completely reprogram the machine. Not only does this style make it easier to integrate the machine vision components, but it also allows for the addition of new workpieces by simply copying and modifying machine recipes for sufficiently similar parts. The modifications, most times, can be done by machine operators through the system’s touchscreen. For completely different parts, it may be necessary to retain more specialized services to teach the system.
Benefits to Standard Machine Tending
There are a number of benefits available to the users of an MWES system that can change the way companies approach machine tending processes. The system’s functionality goes beyond just adding and removing production parts from a machine, it adds the opportunity to add flexibility and expandability to production operations. From reducing the friction of adding new part versions to expanding the utility of machines, below are just a few of the highlights that the system can offer.