Robotics Milling takes another step away from the human operator

A flexible machining cell that can be adapted to a number of different tasks relies on robot technology to ensure high precision. For mould shops, the unit suits a number of finishing applications, according to its supplier.

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toolcraft AG

Component machining with robots instead of CNC machine tools continues to gain importance. The reasons for the trend include the robot’s high flexibility as well as its ability to adjust to different tasks with minimal, often acceptable limitations to precision, according to the German supplier MBFZ Toolcraft.

Saving money with the unit only the beginning

It said that above all, the advantages of the robot result in a very cost-effective solution for industrial machining, and this is met with Robo-Box. The unit, with an installation size of 1,800 x 1,800 x 1,800mm, is said to offer offline programming in the same programming language as for CNC machine tools.

The company said the cell is completely new. It combines a 6-axis articulated arm robot from Swiss supplier Stäubli in a closed production module with a 7.5 kW, water-cooled milling spindle. A slotted table ensures precise fixing of the components. A zero-point clamping system or a round table can also be used. When switching tasks, the robot grabs the next tool from the magazine.

Unit touted as a real all-in-one machine tool

Milling is the standard task for the Robo-Box, but for mould makers, the company said the unit is better suited for polishing, deburring and other post-processing applications. There is currently no possibility of using the unit for die applications because of the high requirements for milling precision parts. “But this may change in the future,” the company noted.

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