15 Forms of CNC Machines and Tips on how to Automate Them

CNC machines are a staple in lots of factories and workshops. They’re a core know-how for creating precision elements and merchandise.

Automating a CNC machine may also help you enhance its productiveness and machine utilization, whereas liberating up your operators for extra advanced, rewarding duties. It reduces the necessity for human operators to be standing over the machine for a lot of hours merely to load and unload the machine.

There are numerous kinds of CNC machines. You may use a number of of them in your personal manufacturing processes. Every machine has its personal distinctive perform and goal. Some are simpler to automate than others, however all can profit from added automation in the suitable circumstances.

On this article, you’ll be taught how one can automate varied CNC machines utilizing robotic automation.

The similarities between most CNC machines

At their core, most CNC machines comprise the identical fundamental parts. For that reason, automating nearly any sort of CNC machines entails an identical course of.

These frequent parts are:

• The enclosure — This homes the remainder of the CNC machine parts, other than the controller, which is normally mounted on the skin. A handbook or semi-automatic door is used to entry the within of the machine.

• The machine mattress — That is the muse of the machine on which all different parts are mounted. It helps the load of the opposite parts and the workpiece being machined.

• The work head — This holds and strikes the device. Relying on the kind of CNC machine, it may well transfer in varied instructions.

• The device — That is the “enterprise finish” of the CNC machine — it performs the chopping, shaping, or different course of process on the workpiece. It’s mounted to the tip of the work head and will be modified to swimsuit the duty.

• The controller — This homes the electronics and software program that controls the machine. You may program it utilizing a pc or immediately via the controller display screen.

Any automation answer might want to interface not directly with these parts. Often, the robotic’s controller will interface with the controller electronically. The robotic will place workpieces onto the machine mattress.

Tips on how to automate nearly any CNC machine with a robotic

You may automate nearly any CNC machine with a robotic, although some are simpler to combine with an automation answer than others.

The simplest option to automate a CNC machine is with a robotic software package for machine tending. This may embody all of the {hardware} and software program components that you will want to automate your machine with a robotic.

Robotiq Machine Tending Answer makes use of an ingenious technique of machine communication to permit it to simply combine with nearly any CNC lathe or milling machine — it makes use of the identical buttons, lights, and switches {that a} human operator makes use of to work together with the machine. This considerably reduces the mixing work required in comparison with extra typical options. 

The steps to combine nearly any CNC machine with a robotic are:

1. Select the kind of CNC machine you need to automate.

2. Use the Robotiq Machine Tending Configurator to configure your particular software package (or get in contact in case your machine sort is not listed within the configurator).

3. Set up the package and configure the software program utilizing the easy Machine Tending Wizard on the display screen.

4. Deploy the robotic in your manufacturing line.

5. Monitor the outcomes and use your learnings to deploy your subsequent CNC machine tending robotic.

15 kinds of CNC machines you possibly can automate with a robotic

There are numerous CNC machines out there. Some, like lathes and milling machines, will work out of the field with an software package. Others may require extra customized automation.

Listed here are 15 frequent kinds of CNC machine:

1. Lathe — That is used to create exact, symmetrical elements and merchandise from quite a lot of supplies together with metals, plastics, and wooden.

2. Milling machine — This cuts and shapes supplies utilizing a rotating chopping device. It’s generally used to create intricate designs and shapes for quite a lot of purposes.

3. Router — A router is sort of a milling machine however it’s sometimes smaller. It’s used to chop and form wooden, plastic, and metallic. It’s used for purposes like engraving or carving indicators.

4. Plasma cutter — This makes use of a high-velocity stream of scorching plasma to chop via metallic, for purposes like industrial development, restoration, and salvage operations.

5. Laser cutter — A laser cutter makes use of a concentrated beam of sunshine to chop via materials. Widespread purposes embody the creation of indicators and ornamental engraving.

6. Waterjet cutter — This makes use of a high-pressure stream of water to chop via supplies. Functions embody chopping of stones, tiles, glass, and metallic.

7. Oxy-fuel cutter — This makes use of a mixture of oxygen and gasoline to chop via metallic. One frequent software is the creation of plate edges for groove and bevel welding.

8. Punch press — This makes use of a die to chop or form materials. Widespread makes use of embody the creation of countersinks, embossments, extrusions, and louvres.

9. Bending machine — That is used to bend or fold sheet metallic. Functions embody bending of brackets, clamps, and product covers.

10. Shearing machine — This cuts sheet metallic utilizing blades. Utility areas embody the automotive and aerospace industries.

11. Press brake — This bends or folds sheet metallic utilizing a die. Such machines are sometimes utilized in marine engineering, metallic paintings manufacturing, and furnishings manufacture.

12. Turret press — This can be a sort of punch press that has a rotating turret that holds the dies. Widespread makes use of embody the creation of stamped options akin to louvers, card guides, lances, electrical knockouts, and dimples.

13. Hydraulic press — This makes use of hydraulic fluid to use power to an object. Generally utilized in a number of software areas, together with transportation, vitality, and transportation.

14. Electrical discharge machine — This makes use of electrical pulses to chop via metallic. Widespread makes use of embody mould and die making, small gap drilling, and medical element manufacture.

15. Grinding machine — This grinds or polishes surfaces. Generally used for basic machining duties and automotive half manufacturing.

These are simply among the commonest kinds of CNC machines. There are numerous others which can be used for particular duties and industries.

Tips on how to Automate Your Particular CNC Machine

It does not matter what sort of CNC you’ve, you possibly can nearly definitely automate it not directly.

If you’re utilizing a standard CNC machine, like a lathe or milling machine, you should use an answer just like the Robotiq Machine Tending Answer straight out of the field.

For different kinds of machine, get in contact and we may also help you out.

What sort of machine would you wish to automate? Inform us within the feedback under or be a part of the dialogue on LinkedIn, Twitter, Fb, or the DoF skilled robotics neighborhood.