Robotic islands: where do they make a difference?
Choosing an industrial robot
Robotic islands are flexible tools that can be adapted to different machining operations and uses. In order to improve workflow and increase production rates, industrial robots need to have different requirements and performances according to the plant in which they are installed and the CNC machines to be serviced. This is why they are customised according to the task they have to perform. These include, for example, object handling, sorting, assembly, quality control, painting, etc.
To choose the most suitable robotic island for your company, it is important to consider a number of factors, including the tasks to be carried out, the relevant sector, the cost-benefit ratio (for a rapid return on investment) and the type of environment in which it will be installed. .
Sectors where a robotic island can make a difference
With the advent of Industry 4.0 and smart factories, the number of companies able to accommodate and benefit from a robotic island has tripled in recent years. Many industrial sectors are affected, including fashion, automotive, aeronautics and aerospace, mechanical engineering, healthcare and pharmaceutical, food, transport, etc.
Generally speaking, investing in industrial automation solutions is particularly recommended in hazardous working environments, where operators have to carry out heavy or repetitive tasks and their safety is often put at risk
Is your company ready for a robotic island?
If the answer is yes, Assistec is for you. Our team of highly skilled technicians will support you in all phases of design and installation of the robotic island, to ensure that it fits your CNC machine park. We offer our customers all our know-how and expertise, consolidated over more than 25 years of providing mechanical, electronic and system integration support.
Contact us for more information or visit our website and discover the latest industrial automated robots designed by Assistec, such as the line Robofeed .
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Technical support for Mazak machines: on-site electronic and mechanical repairs
Mazak machine tools are found in numerous workshops and production departments and, particularly in the case of machines that have been in operation for several years, may require electronic and mechanical repairs to resolve faults, malfunctions or issues related to component wear.
However, a machine stoppage does not always allow the root cause of the problem to be identified immediately.
A fault may affect the control system, a drive or an electronic component, but it may also be due to mechanical elements, the tool changer, the pallet changer system or the machine’s geometric conditions.
For this reason, the ability to carry out an analysis directly at the customer’s premises allows us to assess the machine’s actual behaviour and identify the necessary intervention.
Assistec provides on-site electronic and mechanical support services, including for Mazak machines fitted with Mazatrol 640 and Mitsubishi M64 control systems, drawing on the expertise it has developed in servicing multi-brand CNC machine tools.
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PLC logic for machine safety is one of the areas that may require attention when an existing machine tool has outdated or inadequate safety functions, or when these functions are no longer suitable for the machine’s current configuration.
However, improving machine safety is not simply a matter of modifying a few lines of PLC code. The process must begin with a risk assessment, followed by identifying the required safety functions, checking the devices already installed and determining how they should interact with the PLC, drives, sensors, interlocks and machine components.
On CNC machine tools, changes to PLC logic may be required, for example, to correctly manage automatic doors, permissive signals, stopping functions, protective devices or newly integrated automation systems.
For this reason, modifying PLC logic should be considered part of a broader machine safety and functional verification process, rather than an isolated software task.
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The CNC spindle is one of the most important elements of a machine tool: it is the component that transmits motion to the tool and, together with the machine’s other systems, determines precision, machining quality and production reliability.
When a spindle begins to show signs of wear, the problem is not limited to the component itself. Abnormal vibrations, loss of precision or increased noise levels can, in fact, compromise the entire production process, leading to scrap, premature tool wear and unscheduled machine downtime.
For this reason, the overhaul of CNC spindles should not be regarded as a simple repair job, but as a technical operation aimed at restoring the spindle to its original operating condition and ensuring stability and precision once again.
Relying on a professional service allows the real causes of the problem to be identified, worn components to be replaced and more serious faults that could halt production to be prevented.
