CNC Machine Tending

Overview

The customer operates a dense CNC machining facility with a wide variety of machines arranged for small- and mid-batch part production. Before automation, each CNC machine was operated by human workers responsible for manual part loading and unloading, basic inspection, and machine cycle starts. The work was repetitive, physically demanding, and a bottleneck during labor shortages. Neuromeka introduced a modular machine tending solution using 5 units of the Indy7 collaborative robot, each assigned to a different machining center.

Customer Pain Points

• Manual Labor Dependency: each machine required dedicated operator time, limiting scalability.
• Repetitive Physical Tasks: loading and unloading heavy parts led to worker fatigue and potential injuries.
• Inconsistent Cycle Times: variation in operator pace affected throughput.
• Labor Shortages: difficulty staffing all machines during peak demand or shift transitions.

Automation Solution

• Load and unload metal parts into CNC lathes and mills.
• Operate safely around human workers with no need for full fencing.
• Interface with legacy machines using I/O signals.
• Fit into tight aisle spaces typical of high-density CNC facilities.

Key Features

• Modular configuration adaptable to multiple machine types.
• Custom grippers designed for workpieces of various shapes.
• Cycle synchronization with existing CNC control systems.
• Turntable or conveyor integration in select lines for part staging.
• Minimal footprint for drop-in deployment with limited floor rework.

Operation Flow

• Part Staging: raw parts are manually or automatically fed to a fixture or tray.
• Part Loading: the Indy7 robot picks the part and loads it into the CNC machine.
• Machine Cycle Start: robot signals the machine by I/O or button press to begin the cycle.
• Part Unloading: after machining, the robot removes the part and places it into a finished tray.
• Operator Handoff: an operator inspects or packs finished parts as needed.