Yellow robot tending machine in safety fence.

Machine Tending

Improve production efficiency and productivity with a robotic machine tending solution.

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Robotic Machine Tending

Robotic machine tending uses industrial or collaborative robots to service CNCs, lathes, mills, grinders, injection mold, or virtually any machine. The primary goal of a machine tending system is to automate the loading and unloading of parts into and out of the machines, optimizing efficiency, reducing labor, and improving overall productivity. Adaptec offers several pre-engineered machine tending products and accessories for use with any machine tool or in-process machine, along with end-user and integrator-friendly products for those interested in executing their integration.

Robotic Machine Tending Process

Loading & Placement

In the initial stage, the raw or semi-finished parts are placed into a loading area or fixture adjacent to the machine. The robot is programmed to recognize part location and orientation, and designed with an end-of-arm tool to handle specific components. The robot moves into the loading area and precisely picks up the component based on its pre-defined position and orientation.

Machine Interaction

The robot then moves the part to the machine and accurately loads it into the designated position for processing. Once the part is loaded, the robot waits for the machine to complete its automated machining/processing operation to unload the finished part.

Unloading & Finishing

After unloading the part, the robot places it onto an unloading area or fixture. Depending on the application, the robot may perform additional tasks such as deburring, cleaning, or performing a quality inspection before the final part is ready for further processing or packaging. The robotic machine tending process is usually automated and repetitive. As long as materials are available, the robot will continue loading and unloading parts, following a pre-defined sequence to optimize efficiency and minimize downtime.

Benefits of Robotic Machine Tending

Key benefits of integrating a robot into your machine tending process include increased production and efficiency, reduced cycle times, improved product quality and consistency, enhanced workplace safety, reduced labor costs, and the ability to run and operate machines 24/7 “lights out” without breaks.

Machine Tending Products

Adaptec offers several pre-engineered machine tending products and accessories for use with any machine tool or in-process machine. Additionally, we offer end-user and integrator-friendly products for those who execute their own integration.

3 drawer MT Series Drawer Cabinet with the top drawer open to the operator. Notice the included drip tray for handling of wet parts.

MT Series

The Patented MT Series Drawer Cabinet provides convenient and compact parts storage for part processing within a robotic automation cell and is available to both integrators and end users.

Model MT Robotic Drawer
Front left side view of the Model MT Series Integrated Machine Tender. Note: An integrated robot base with fork truck pockets provides ease of relocation of the robot and MT Series Drawer Cabinet. Two sizes are available with the MT Series Integrated, a Model MT10D with a 10kg robot and a Model MT20D version with a 20Kg or 35Kg payload robot.

MT Series Integrated

The Adaptec Model MT series Robotic Machine Tending system provides an automated method for loading into and out of virtually any machine tool.

MT Series Integrated
Adaptec Ws8100 Workstocker Banner

WS8100 Workstocker

The Model WS8100 Workstocker for robots is a compact part storage and presentation system, which is ideal for use with machine tending automation.

WS8100 Workstocker for Robots
Front right corner view of the Model WS8100 Mate Machine Tender. Note: The robot is supported on an integrated base with the WS8100 Workstocker. Fork pockets are provided for ease of system relocation.

WS8100 Workstocker Mate

The Model WS8100 Workstocker Mate for Robots is a compact part storage and presentation system, which is ideal for use with machine tending automation.tending and is perfect for servicing either one or two machine tools.

WS8100 Workstocker Mate for Robots
Front right view of the Model MD MateTM Machine Tender positioned at a CNC lathe. Note: The bi-fold safety guard folds back against the MD MiniDrawerTM cabinet, providing clear access to the CNC for tooling setup or changeover.

MD Mate™ Robotic Machine Tender

The MD Mate™ Robotic Machine Tender was designed with the premise that floor space is at a premium and flexibility is critical to any machine tending application.

MD Mate™ Robotic Machine Tender
Model MD MiniDrawer ™ Cabinet with an integrated FANUC robot and the LR Mate controller shown mounted on the lower shelf. Customer parts are also shown within the Delrin plastic fixture plate in the opened drawer.

Model MD Robotic MiniDrawer

The MD MiniDrawer™ Cabinet provides convenient and compact parts storage for part processing small parts within a robotic automation cell and is available to both integrators and end users.

Model MD Robotic MiniDrawer
Side view of the Model RMT positioned against a CNC vertical machining center. Note: The infeed and exit conveyors extend out from the RMT providing easy access for loading and unloading parts from totes or parts directly to and from the included belt conveyors.

Model RMT Robotic Machine Tender

The Adaptec Model RMT Robotic Machine Tender is a flexible automation platform for machine tending and is perfect for servicing either one or two machine tools.

Model RMT Robotic Machine Tender
CBOT Collaborative Robot Cell with its “C” shaped part presentation system and frame-integrated control panel. The color teach pendant is placed in its holder on the table top.

C-BOT Collaborative Robot Cell

The C-BOT Freedom Series™ Machine Tending by Adaptec is a collaborative robot cell providing the user “Freedom from Fencing” in a flexible and portable package designed for small part handling.

C-BOT Collaborative Robot Cell
RoboCart with a fixture plate part presentation setup and a FANUC LRMate 200iD/7L robot with a dual end of arm tool integrated to a CNC lathe. The fixture plate setup allows the operator to load a quantity of parts on the fixture plate for processing. The robot will unload the parts individually from the fixture plate, process them within the lathe and then reload the fixture plate with the completed part. Once all parts have been processed, the robot will signal the operator for reloading.

RoboCart Portable Machine Tender

Our Adaptec Solutions RoboCart Portable Machine Tender provides a low cost portable automation platform for machine tending, part marking or part inspection.

RoboCart Portable Machine Tender
Door Opener for CNC Machines setup on a test fixture. The air operated cylinder and mounting structure is fixed to the main wooden frame (simulating mounting the unit to the top of the CNC machine) and the “tow bar” is attached to a weighted cart simulating the mass of the door on a CNC machine.

Door Opener for CNC Machines

At Adaptec Solutions, we offer custom Door Openers for CNC Machines.

Door Opener for CNC Machines
A straight and an angled 8” MiJet part cleaner in a shop located at a CNC machine. These units feature a hand-operated blow-off nozzle and are used in a manual part cleaning application.

MiJet CNC Part Cleaner

The MiJet CNC Part Cleaner stand alone unit is powered by air and is placed near CNC machines or inspection stations and is used to clean coolant/cutting fluid residue and chips from machined parts.

MiJet CNC Part Cleaner
Side mounted Auto Door attached to the side of a mill. This pneumatic powered Auto Door is custom designed to your specific machine tool and may be mounted to a machine side panel or mounted to the front door. The Auto Door features: pneumatic door cylinder, heavy duty shock absorbers for open/close motions, precision guidance, open/close sensors, door closed safety switch and connection cables. Modification of the machine side panel is required for mounting of the Auto Door.

Robot Auto Doors For CNC Machines

We offer a variety of custom Robot Auto Doors for CNC Machines.

Robot Auto Doors for CNC Machines

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Featured Case Studies

Dive into real-world examples of Adaptec’s vast capabilities portfolio, showcasing the transformative power of automation and material handling solutions. Our case studies provide an insightful glimpse into the strategies and outcomes achieved through the integration of automation solutions.

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