Automate operation with robotics question

[surfit]

I currently machine billet Impellers on a Haas VF-3 with a TRT-160 Trunion. The impellers cycle time is 2 hrs and we only work an eight hour shift. I priced a TRT-160-2 That has two "B" axis's they are $35,000. This would net two impellers at night, The machine only has one spindle so there is no saving on per part time. I want to look into automating it with a robot that can change parts instead of purchasing the TRT 160-2, that would net eight more parts at night. I could google robotics however I would like some input if someone here has any experiance with this type of operation,
Thanks.

[S3MIH3MI]

It is very doable but the cost and learning curve may be an issue.

You would need loading and unloading fixtures as well as some sort of PLC interface.

We have around 1000 robots on a 3 shift operation. Something as simple as a part present switch stops production until someone intervenes. Sounds like you want it to run in full auto pilot at night, You would more then likely come in in the morning with one or two parts complete and the system halted for some miner issue.

I don't know how big these parts are, but I would consider making a well built rotary table and mount 3 or 4 parts at a time on the table. Use it as a forth axis or use a PLC and drive to interface with the CNC.

Good luck

[surfit]

It is very doable but the cost and learning curve may be an issue.

You would need loading and unloading fixtures as well as some sort of PLC interface.

We have around 1000 robots on a 3 shift operation. Something as simple as a part present switch stops production until someone intervenes. Sounds like you want it to run in full auto pilot at night, You would more then likely come in in the morning with one or two parts complete and the system halted for some miner issue.

I don't know how big these parts are, but I would consider making a well built rotary table and mount 3 or 4 parts at a time on the table. Use it as a forth axis or use a PLC and drive to interface with the CNC.

Good luck

Thanks for the input. I can't put more than one piece on the rotary because this operation is simaltaneous 5 axis machining and the part has to go on the center of rotation of the "B" axis.I am making impellers.

[Delw]

I think you would have better luck mounting the double tr160 in the y direction and buying another for the other side,
yes that would be 70k but you could run 4 at a time.

providing you could fit the tr160 on the y it looks like it would fit as far as travel and I believe the table is wide enough. you may have build a sub plate to hold them and have to have haas build you cable and ad a relay or board so you could do this.
it would need to run 4 cables instead of 2, I dont see why it wouldnt work electronically as it would be like a switch (m-function) to change to the other set of controls(wires) Seems simple to me any how just need to make it.
the table would be long enough to support them.

or you may have clearance to run them inline (x direction one in front one in back)

the plus part is you would get 4 parts per cycle, instead of 2.
minus side is the 70k for the 2 trunions and cables and board if needed.
I still think it would be cheaper than buying a robot and learning to use it, plus the facts that you may have some alarms like said above in another post where its stops everything.

or being a machine shop you could litterally build your own loader and unloader using m functions to load and unload parts. would take some time to design and get working but its a possibility and you could put safety checks in it so you dont scrap a part.

or just hire someone for nights

Delw