Autonomous Machining Systems: Otherworldly Efficiency

An autonomous machining system has production capabilities allowing for unparalleled efficiency, as a great degree of tasks typically requiring human labor can be automated. It would seem that such systems are the future of machining, given the natural premium on efficiency in machining operations.

However, autonomous machining systems are currently best-suited to certain types of shops, as an almost fully-automated machining system will benefit certain shops to a far greater degree than some others.

Benefit Of Robotic Machining Systems

The obvious benefit of robotic machining systems is that they are almost fully automated and programmable, reducing the amount of human labor that is necessary for machining operations. The human operator only has to enter the parameters for the workpiece and - depending on the system in question - load work materials and install any additional tooling that may be necessary.

For instance, the XCelerate robotic arm system can eliminate most of the human labor necessary, as the operator only has to enter the parameters for the workpiece and ensure that the appropriate tooling is installed and feedstock is available for the system.

Some other autonomous systems offer less functionality, some offer more. While the exact nature of the system varies by system and manufacturer, the benefits are broadly the same for the shop: more work gets done by a robot rather than by a human.

Such systems may one day replace many machinists, but it will not be for many years. For now, every shop needs to consider if their operation is a good fit for an autonomous machining system.

Though it would seem that any machine shop would benefit from greater automation, some shops - depending on the nature of their business - benefit far more than others.

Highly Specialized Shops And Job Shops Benefit The Most From Robotic Machining Systems

The shop that will benefit most from robotic machining systems either specializes in a few specific parts or a job shop, making batches or individual parts on contract for various clients. Shops in between can realize advantages and increases in efficiencies, but may not reap the greatest benefits from a greater degree of automation.

Those shops specializing in a few different parts will have fewer changeovers in workholding devices and therefore less downtime. Such operations will find that automated machining systems utilize automated bar feeding systems to be fed with raw materials from time to time and can therefore achieve a lower cost for the same output - if not increased output - compared to workpieces made with human operators.

By contrast, job shops - which have much more frequent changeovers - can reduce man-hours between changeovers as the machine does the work. The operator merely has to change any tooling needed as well as stock, and then enter a new program for every new workpiece. By making changeover quicker, as well as the work itself, the job shop can achieve much higher output per piece than it could with totally CNC-operated machinery.

Operations that occupy the middle ground between these types of shops are likely to find that while changeovers are not as frequent as job shops, the increase in efficiency may not - in all cases - be necessarily enough to make the cost of the additional purchase of equipment the savings they might be perceived to be.

However, not all machine shops and their business are the same, and consulting with dealers of automated machine systems will likely be beneficial, as they can provide guidance as to how or if a robotic machining system will be.