When choosing a machine tending robot, you have several options to consider based on your needs.
The two main types used for this particular application are:
Cobots are flexible, lightweight robots with built-in safety features allowing them to work safely side-by-side with humans. They typically have a payload capacity of less than 50 kg. Popular cobots for machine tending include RO1 from Standard Bots, which can handle payloads of up to 18 kg. These cobots are easy to program and can tend to a variety of machines.
For heavier parts and blanks, a traditional industrial robot is better suited. Five and six-axis articulated robot arms are commonly used, like the FANUC M-20 series, which can handle up to 35 kg. FANUC’s M-410 range can even handle extreme payloads with a class-topping 700 kg payload. However, these robots require safety fences and other pieces of equipment to operate within a machine shop.
Beyond the safety level of your robot, the exact choice of robot arm you make will dictate the results of your machine tending automation. The most common types of robot arms used are Articulated, SCARA, and Gantry robots.
Let’s take a more in-depth look:
When selecting a robotic arm for machine tending, consider:
All of these factors are important to consider not only to ensure your robot works effectively but also to ensure your solution is cost-effective and provides a return on investment.
The end-effector, or gripper, on your machine tending robot are essentially its “hands.” They physically interact with and manipulate the parts and machines being tended to.
There are a few common types of end-effectors used for machine tending applications:
When choosing a machine tending robot, several factors will determine if it’s the right fit for your needs. Think about what's most important for your application to find a robot that checks all the boxes.
Some manufacturers will install a robot which can manually open and close machine doors and begin operations with a hand-like end-effector. While versatile, this is inefficient and the increased cycle times heavily reduce productivity.
Instead, look for a robot arm that can connect to your chosen machine and control it directly. This may take the form of standard relay controls or a purpose-made integration for a particular machine.
RO1 by Standard Bots has a plug-and-play integration with Haas CNC mills, allowing the robot to automatically open and close the doors and begin the milling process without needing any physical interaction.
Consider the area the robot needs to access. Its reach refers to the maximum distance it can extend its arm. Look for a robot that can reach blanks and machines anywhere in your entire cell.
Also consider the robot’s range of motion and number of axes, which determine how freely it can move and rotate. It's important to consider whether or not your robot will have to rotate or twist a part to load or unload it.
Think about how quickly and accurately the robot needs to operate. Robot speed is measured in meters per second (m/s) or degrees per second (deg/s). Precision refers to how accurately the robot can repeat movements and positions.
Higher speed and precision are better for high-volume, repetitive tasks that require meticulous positioning. In robotics, this is generally referred to as “repeatability.” Slower, less precise robots may suit simple machine loading or unloading.
Consider how easy the robot will be to program and integrate into your operations. In a high-mix machine shop, look for a simple, intuitive interface with pre-programmed functions for common tasks like pick and place.
Some robots offer offline programming so you can program without disrupting production. Also, consider the experience of your staff in programming robots. Easier systems may have a shorter learning curve and reduce the retooling time needed when tending to new machines or handling new parts.
Robot prices vary widely based on the specifications. Basic robots can cost under $30,000, while high-payload robot solutions with advanced programming capabilities and peripherals like conveyors or vision systems can cost upwards of $200,000 or more. Analyze the total cost of ownership, including programming, installation, and maintenance.
A higher upfront cost can be worth it for maximum efficiency and productivity over the lifetime of the robot.
Plus, robotic automation has a great ROI of just 1-3 years on average.
When choosing a machine tending robot, you have several major manufacturers to consider. Each offers various models suited for different needs.
Standard Bots is a US-based manufacturer of six-axis robot arms. Their flagship RO1 model is specifically designed for machine tending, with a class-leading 18 kg payload and direct integrations with Haas mills and OnRobot grippers. Standard Bots has the most affordable solution on the market with a machine tending solution starting from $5/hour.
FANUC is one of the largest robotics companies, offering many machine tending models. Their M-10 series are compact, with a 10 kg payload, while the M-20 line handles up to 20 kg.
For higher payloads up to 100 kg, their M-2000 series is a great choice. They offer pre-engineered solutions for CNC machines, injection molding, and press tending. FANUC is based in Japan and its robots are used worldwide.
ABB is a Swiss robotics leader, providing a range of industrial robot arms under its IRB brand. Their IRB 1200 model is a popular light-duty option, while the IRB 6700 line handles heavy loads up to 700 kg.
ABB's Robotics Discrete Automation software helps simplify programming for machine tending.
Yaskawa Motoman produces many effective machine tending robots, including their compact DX100 and FS100 lines, which handle 5-20 kg payloads. Their larger FS2000 and FS3000 models are well-suited for heavy machines tending up to 600 kg.
Yaskawa's SmartSeries reduces risk by using pre-engineered packages for press tending, CNC load, unload, and injection molding.
RO1 by Standard Bots comes with everything you need to automate your machine tending applications on popular mills from Haas, Mazak, and more.
Speak with our solutions engineers today and get tailored advice on automating your machine shop with RO1.