CNC machine tending designed around parts, batches and machine cycles.
Automate loading and unloading of CNC lathes, mills and machining centres while accounting for raw and finished-part handling, machine access, coolant, swarf, inspection and changeover.
What the cell is designed to achieve.
Performance is confirmed against representative products, the complete process and agreed acceptance criteria.
Application outcome to validate during concept engineering.
Application outcome to validate during concept engineering.
Application outcome to validate during concept engineering.
Application outcome to validate during concept engineering.
How the application is defined before equipment selection.
The concept is developed from the full production sequence. This prevents the robot from being selected around one isolated pick while missing presentation, machine time, product variation or operator interaction.
- Record the exact manual loading sequence
- Check machine access and opening geometry
- Define chuck, fixture and door interfaces
- Choose trays, drawers, conveyors or vision presentation
- Manage coolant and swarf on gripping surfaces
- Validate machine time against robot exchange time
What to send for a useful feasibility review.
The quality of the first concept depends on the information available. Photographs and video are useful, but product and process data allow payload, reach, cycle and interfaces to be checked more reliably.
- Part CAD or drawings and weights
- CNC make/model and electrical diagrams
- Chuck, vice or fixture details
- Raw and finished-part conditions
- Batch size, variants and changeover target
- Required autonomy and operator attendance
Robot types to evaluate for this task.
These platforms illustrate credible starting points. The final choice follows load, motion, rate, environment, tooling and safety validation.
Six-Axis Collaborative Robot
Reference model BRTIRXZ0805A. Published data is used for initial comparison and must be validated against the complete application.
View reference platform →Flexible Small Pick-Up Robot
Reference model BRTIRUS0805A. Published data is used for initial comparison and must be validated against the complete application.
View reference platform →Professional Six-Axis General Robot
Reference model BRTIRUS2550A. Published data is used for initial comparison and must be validated against the complete application.
View reference platform →AC Servo Motor Driven Manipulator
Reference model BRTNN11WSS3P/F. Published data is used for initial comparison and must be validated against the complete application.
View reference platform →Frequently asked questions
These answers provide an initial planning framework. Final requirements are confirmed against the product, process, site and applicable safety obligations.
What signals does a CNC machine need?
Typical handshakes include machine ready, cycle complete, door and chuck status, robot clear, load complete, cycle start and fault. Exact requirements depend on the machine and controls.
How does the robot handle raw and finished parts?
A dual gripper can remove a finished part and load a raw blank in one visit. Trays, drawers, conveyors or vision-guided presentation provide parts and store output.
Can the robot clean the chuck or part?
Air blow-off, coolant draining or a cleaning station can be included where appropriate, subject to risk, contamination and process requirements.
What limits unattended CNC operation?
Part capacity, tool life, chip and coolant control, inspection, machine alarms, gripper contamination and recovery from misloads or broken tools all affect autonomy.
Continue planning your automation project
Use these pages to compare approaches, define the application and prepare the information needed for a useful feasibility review.
End-of-arm tooling
Develop the gripping method around the real product and cycle.
Read more →How to choose a robot
Check payload, work envelope, cycle, environment, safety and interfaces.
Read more →Robot automation cost
Understand the complete project scope before comparing budgets.
Read more →Robotic press tending
Apply controlled machine loading to press operations.
Explore →Robot cycle-time calculator
Build an early handling and machine-time budget.
Explore →Review this production task with us.
Send the product details, required output, available space and a photo or short video of the current process. We will review the application and identify the next engineering step.