Defiance anTi X Bolt unloaded with Robotic (Pneumatic) GrabberThis pneumatic gripper is now being utilized to run parts in a fully automated process.
These bolts are machined from a 6’ bar, about 6” at a time.
The CNC program begins with a minimal amount of bar stock protruding from the main spindle.
After the front end of the bolt is machined, the sub spindle advances and grabs the bolt.
Next, the main spindle unclamps, allowing the sub spindle to pull the bar out farther before clamping again and machining the body of the bolt.
We electronically probe the bolt after each “pull,” to ensure that we know exactly where it is “in space,” and so we can hold tight tolerances across key features.
Lastly, the sub spindle chokes up on the bolt leaving only a small amount protruding and the back end of the bolt is machined to completion. We have now machined a complete bolt in just one operation, allowing us to create very precise and consistent parts.
Before the addition of the pneumatic grabber, the machine might sit for a short time while the operator finishes up some other task (like loading or unloading another machine). This may just be a minute or it may be 10 minutes. Minutes add up and we need to be as efficient as possible. With the addition of these pneumatic grabbers, the machine pulls the finished part out of the spindle, drops it onto a conveyor, and starts machining the next part.
Machinists and operators are still running the machines, checking and measuring parts, loading new bars of steel, making adjustments, changing and qualifying the tools, etc. There will be less “lost time” however. And when the crew is heading home for the night, a new bar can be loaded, and parts can be run for hours after we have shut-off the lights and gone home to bed.
At Defiance, we are constantly seeking ways to be more efficient, so we can better serve our customers.
