There are only 19 days left until IMTS 2016 begins in Chicago.
Below are just a few products and events you can expect to see on the show floor.
AUTOCRIB TO INTRODUCE NEW WEB-BASED VENDING, INVENTORY PLATFORM AT IMTS 2016
AutoCrib, Inc., a manufacturer of automated inventory vending systems, will be introducing the AutoCrib .Net 4.0, an enhanced software product, at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), taking place Sept. 12 – 17 in Chicago.
AutoCrib will also unveil refinements to three of its product features on the RoboCrib TX750 and AutoLocker FX.
AutoCrib .Net 4.0 will provide customers with a multi-tenant database, faster reporting, a familiar user interface, increased security and new work flows. In addition to a significant software update, AutoCrib has also made product refinements to the RoboCrib TX750 and AutoLocker FX with a completely redesigned plastic shelving system for the TX750, scales mounted in the FX lockers as well as a new “fast pick” button bar system to enhance customers’ experience.
“AutoCrib also has designed from the ground up new technology that addresses some of the industrial vending industry’s greatest challenges for users—cost, density and inflexibility,” said Steve Pixley, president and founder of AutoCrib. “Each AutoCrib product is designed to deliver automated inventory vending support for customers such as manufacturing companies, airlines, the military, retailers, distributors and others who want to provide 24/7 unmanned access to inventory—while maintaining complete control and 100 percent inventory accuracy.”
Pixley pioneered the concept of using purpose-built vending machines and built the first industrial vending machine in 1994 after identifying a need for manufacturers to better track and utilize inventory. As a solution, Pixley created an industrial vending machine capable of storing and dispensing virtually any tool, part or supply.
Since then, AutoCrib has grown to support a global network of dealers and distributors and its machines are used by leading manufacturers worldwide including many of the biggest names on the Fortune 500 and more than 20,000 machines deployed. Customers have reported significant results from using AutoCrib’s industrial vending machines including reducing inventory spend by up to 40 percent, complete inventory visibility, better control of employee and department spending, and improved job costing, inventory forecasting and demand planning.
AutoCrib Machine Giveaway
To bring attention to these product updates and refinements, AutoCrib will be giving away one of its innovative industrial vending machines at IMTS 2016. For more information on how to enter, visit www.AutoCribGiveaway.com and stop by booth number W-1223 at IMTS.
EMCO to introduce automation options for mill-turn centers
At IMTS 2016, Booth S-8780, EMCO jointly with automation partner Ultra Tech Machinery, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, will demonstrate an automated turning cell with an EMCO Hyperturn 45 mill-turn, a Renishaw Equator high speed flexible dimensional gauging system, a part handling system, and a Fanuc CR-35iA collaborative robot with 35 kg lift capacity. Because of the robot’s highly sensitive contact sensing technology, it is safe to work around humans without guarding.
According to EMCO, the cell demonstrates the high degree of reliable automation that is available to any shop, reducing cycle times and production cost while improving production quality and consistency.
With high-performance main and counter spindles, two tool systems, a stable Y axis, a thermo-symmetrical machine construction, compact dimensions and a range of intelligent automation solutions, the EMCO Maier Hyperturn 45 turning and milling center is geared for applications in automotive and general engineering.
A 3-axis portal in the machine permits convenient automated loading and unloading. The machine system is a complete solution providing efficiency and economy, including measurement, and can also include deburring and cleaning stations if required.
The machining cell includes an Ultra Tech 3-drawer part handling system. Raw parts are loaded into 42-position trays on one side of the system; the drawer opens on the robot side of the system, and the robot removes raw parts, replacing finished parts in the drawer.
Even the basic version of the Hyperturn 45 offers a Y-axis with 70 mm traveling distance in the upper and a Z2-axis in the lower carriage system. The water-cooled main and counter spindle motors provide a higher drive power of 15 kW and feature a maximum speed of 7,000 rpm and higher torque of 100 Nm. The latest Siemens Sinumerik 840D-sl control and drive system, the "Solution Line", makes programming the machine is easy and effective. A fold-out PC keyboard is an ergonomic plus.
With its extensive product portfolio, the EMCO Group is a respected and proven partner within the field of turning and milling. The group of companies consists of an association of top European suppliers (EMCO, EMCO MECOF, EMCO FAMUP, EMCO INTOS and EMCO MAGDEBURG) all of which come from the machine-tool industry.
United under the common commitment of “Made in the Heart of Europe” they work on intelligent production solutions for machining industry and training. This means that all machines are designed consistent with the Design to Cost principle and that development and production of the machines is carried out entirely in Central Europe, making exclusive use of European brand-name products. All selected manufacturers fulfill the highest standards regarding quality, productivity and economy.
For more information, visit www.emco-world.com, or visit EMCO at IMTS 2016 in booth S-8780.
Force Robots adds New Capabilities to Robotic Finishing Machine
Metalcasters must perform several machining steps to create a finished part out of a raw casting. Sprues and runners are cut away, gates ground flush and die lines and flash machined and/or ground. This requires a range of operations, from sawing and belting to deburring and stoning.
Robotic automation is not common in the metalcasting industry because of the high variation in the part and excess material. Force Robots plans to expand finishing automation with a new tool changing option for their Touch Robot.
The Touch Robot is a table-top finishing system that uses the same hand tools (die grinders, belt grinders, grinding disks) that an operator would use. It accommodates part variation by working by force. Instead of rigidly following predetermined trajectories, it applies pressure to the part, which allows the part surface to determine the tool path.
By measuring the tool path and comparing it to the part’s CAD model, it detects excess material and adjusts its actions to focus on the required areas. Leveraging this capability with new autonomous behaviors and the ability to change tools will enable the Touch Robot to progress from removing heavy material to performing finer finishing in a single part setup.
To meet the need for high precision machining and measuring in the aerospace industry and elsewhere, Force Robots is also introducing a high accuracy option for the Touch Robot. Typically, robots use motor encoders to measure arm position. Non-linearity and windup in the transmissions produce poor accuracy, however.
The new option places high resolution encoders on the arm links. By directly measuring joint positions, the imprecision of the motors and transmissions is circumvented. The Touch Robot will gain CMM-like measurement capability to not only finish parts with higher accuracy, but to also perform spot inspections.
“The key to automation is versatility and adaptability, particularly in high product mix environments,” says Steven Somes, President of Force Robots. “The Touch Robot could already adapt to wide variation in part shape and finishing requirements, but was limited to what it could do with one tool. Now that it has access to the same range of tools that human operators use, and can make precise measurements, it can perform most of the finishing operations required by foundries and other component manufacturers.”
The new high accuracy Touch Robot with tool changer will be introduced at IMTS in Force Robots’ booth E-4064, September 12-17 in Chicago. If you would like more information on the Touch Robot, contact Steven Somes at 216-881-8360 or ssomes@forcerobots.com, or visit www.forcerobots.com.