Robotic System is engineered for job shop automation.May 12, 2009 -
Designed for use with small to mid sized CNC mills, lathes, and grinding machines, Minuteman XA add-on robotic automation system can be specified with Fanuc articulated robotic arm or gantry style automation. It facilitates real time changeover by using pre tooled/set-up kits for repeat jobs, and also allows for unattended night time operation. Options are available for different material loading, such as bowl feeders, conveyors, trays, or combinations of these.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Original Press release
Accura Technics LLC
310 Marlboro St.
Keene, NH, 03431
USA
Minuteman XA for Job Shop Automation
Keene, NH Accura Technics announces the introduction of their latest product, the Minuteman XA. Designed for the job shop, the Minuteman XA is an engineered add-on robotic automation system for popular small to mid sized CNC mills, lathes, and grinding machines . This product is the latest innovation from Accura's Extreme Automation products, bringing the benefits of automation to common job shop operations.
The Minuteman XA is a turnkey product designed not only to provide automation to popular job shop machine tools but to be simple to install and use standard shop utilities. While also developed to be affordable and provide accelerated return on investment, it shares the same quality robust design and materials as the flagship Accura Extreme Precision grinders.
The value of automation in the job shop setting is achieved differently than in not as easily achieved as in the large production environment. Two key aspects to the job shop automation value proposition are versatility and streamlined changeover.
Seamlessly attaching to host CNC machines, the Minuteman XA compliments the host machine's versatility, not reducing it, which is vital for job shops. Both Fanuc articulated robotic arm or gantry style automation can be specified. And if needed, the host machine can always be used manually, so nothing is sacrificed while adding automation with the Minuteman XA.
"Real time" changeover is accomplished by employing easy to use pre tooled / set-up kits for repeat jobs. The Minuteman XA's standard adjustable tooling can be used to facilitate quick changeovers for varied part production.
With versatility and streamlined changeover built in, the Minuteman XA provides for higher profits in three ways.
First, part production will improve with fast, steady work piece flow by introducing automation.
Next, with manual use of machine tools, time is spent by the technician during the cycle that is too short for them to start other work. They simply wait for the part to be finished to then start the next cycle. This ttechnician idle time during manual use of the machine tool can be aggregated pieced together into productive time through the use of automation. The technician spends continuous time during changeover, and then during the run they can move oncan be directed to more productive work. These "lost" labor minutes add up.
Finally, the host machine tool and the Minuteman XA can be set up during the day shift and run during the evening or night unattended for "lights out" operation.
Video of the Minuteman XA in action is viewable at www.accuratechnics.com or on YouTube.
Other important features include the Minuteman XA's small footprint and availability of options for different material loading, such as bowl feeders, conveyors, trays or combinations of these.
For more information on the company's line of CNC extreme precision and production machine tools visit www.accuratechnics.com or contact Accura directly.
ABOUT FANUC Robotics America, Inc. - FANUC Robotics designs and builds robotic automation systems, integrated robotic intelligence systems and robotic control systems for automated machining, welding, picking / packing and materials handling.
ABOUT ACCURA TECHNICS - Accura Technics designs and builds high-precision machine tools and automation at their factory in Keene, New Hampshire, USA. Co-founders, Don Brehm and Patrick Hurst are engineers with extensive backgrounds in high-
performance CNC machine tools. Accura Technics' staff has expertise in grinding, parts handling, automation, optics, hydrostatic bearings, CNC and motion control.
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