Machine tending with robots: How to enhance efficiency

Standard Bots machine tending robots pick raw parts, load them into the machine, and remove finished parts with consistent timing. Our robots cut idle spindle time, boost throughput, and improve safety. 

Standard Bots Core handles most CNC machine tending tasks with a no-code touchscreen interface that lets operators re-teach jobs in minutes. For heavier parts or oversized fixtures, Thor extends these benefits with a 30kg payload capacity and 2m reach, making it ideal for tending large CNCs or multi-step machining cycles.

Robots for machine tending applications

• Grinding machines
• CNC lathes and mills
• Injection molding machines
• Press brakes and stamping lines
• 24/7 part loading in high-mix shops

Our robots easily integrate with any lathe, mill, or laser engraver, then you can automatically control equipment using Standard Bots’ onboard I/O and safety features. 

Grippers for machine tending cobots

The right gripper makes or breaks your machine tending success. Standard Bots works with pneumatic grippers for high-speed pick-and-place, electric grippers for force-controlled handling, vacuum grippers for sheet metal and flat stock, and magnetic grippers for ferrous workpieces. 

Adaptive grippers manage different part geometries without retooling, and quick-change tooling lets you switch SKUs without downtime. You can also choose single or dual grippers for longer unattended runs. 

Key industries and applications

• Electronics: Housings and enclosures
• Metal fabrication: Medium- to high-volume parts
• Automotive: Gear blanks, castings, and precision parts
• Aerospace: High-value components with strict tolerances
• Job shops: High-mix, low-volume runs with frequent changeovers

Both Standard Bots Core and Thor fit both HMLV and HVLM production setups and connect through standard network or I/O ports for quick drop-in use. 

Key features of machine tending automation

Integrations

Standard Bots universal onboard I/O allows you to program our robots to control your machines. We can recommend add-ons for your equipment needs such as door openers, safety scanners, and air blow-off. Button or pedal pushers enable modification-free integration. 

Physical capabilities

If you run larger assemblies or heavier fixtures, Standard Bots Thor offers a 30kg payload capacity and 2m reach. It’s ideal for loading heavy billets, castings, or large parts into CNCs where Standard Bots Core’s 18kg payload capacity or 1.3m reach isn’t enough.

No-code programming

High-mix shop? Operators can create new tending routines in minutes using the intuitive no-code interface included with every Standard Bots system. Common workflows include CNC and lathe tending, pallet loading, deburring, sanding, and polishing. 

Operators can also program part transfers, air blow-off for chip removal, and door operations directly from the touchscreen.

Built in the USA

Standard Bots designs and assembles all of its robots at its 25,000-square-foot facility in Glen Cove, New York. Every unit is built from the ground up, including in-house manufacturing of printed circuit boards, motors, and encoders. 

This vertical integration ensures tighter quality control, faster iteration, and dependable long-term support. Installations are typically ready in hours, not weeks, backed by detailed onboarding, training, and ongoing customer support.

Benefits

Run overnight operations unattended: Standard Bots control your equipment and stop automatically if an issue is detected.

Exponential productivity: One operator can safely oversee multiple machines at once, delivering up to ten times higher throughput compared to a single operator’s 40-hour workweek. Standard Bots automation keeps machines running between shifts, turning idle time into productive hours without adding labor costs.

Affordable deployment, best-in-class ROI: Standard Bots Core is faster, stronger, and more precise than legacy offerings for up to 30% less at a $37,000 list price. For bigger jobs, Standard Bots Thor starts at $49,500 and delivers a higher payload capacity and longer reach for up to 30% lower cost than legacy brands.

Build your solution your way

Handle integration yourself or use our curated components. A typical kit includes: Standard Bots Core or Thor + control box, single or dual grippers, mobile workbench and base, and button or pedal pusher. 

Add-in options include automatic door openers, safety area scanners, air blow-off, and other accessories matched to your machines. 

Final thoughts: Is your operation ready for a machine tending robot?

If your operators spend hours loading and unloading CNCs, automated machine tending with Standard Bots saves time, improves safety, and boosts output. Even small shops can start with one cobot, validate the ROI, and scale to more machines once the recipe for your machine tending solution is dialed in. 

FAQs

What is machine tending automation?

Machine tending automation uses robots to load raw parts and unload finished parts, keeping mills, lathes, and other equipment running without operator downtime. 

What types of machines can Standard Bots tend?

Standard Bots cobots can tend CNC mills, lathes, grinders, and injection molding machines. Core handles high-mix parts with quick gripper swaps, while Thor covers heavier payloads and larger machine setups thanks to its 30kg capacity and 2m reach.

How do I choose the best gripper for machine tending?

Choose a gripper based on part size, shape, and material. Pneumatic grippers work best for uniform parts. Adaptive or vacuum grippers handle varied SKUs. For heavier parts, Standard Bots Thor pairs with larger grippers to manage bulk loads without slowing down cycle times.

What industries benefit most from automated CNC machine tending?

The automotive, aerospace, electronics, and metal fabrication industries benefit the most from automated CNC machine tending. This is especially apparent where repeatability, labor costs, and operator strain are top concerns. 

What can I do to prep my facility for a machine tending cobot?

Confirm machine access points, lay out safe robot paths, and verify air or power for grippers. Mark operator access and pallet staging zones, and review implementation considerations before delivery to speed up installation and ROI. 

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