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News - 2008
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In the same way as a tool, the SCHUNK gripper is moved via the machine axes for feeding from the workpiece magazine on the machine table.
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05.05.2008 -
An attractive and efficient automation solution for the production of small batches and single parts on machining centers has been developed by SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG in Lauffen upon Neckar, Germany. The gripper, which is connected to the machine spindle in the same way as a tool via the standard interface, allows fully automatic change of the workpieces by means of axial movements. This eliminates the need for complicated and expensive automation solutions and also reduces set-up times. This clever spindle gripper was awarded the German industry award for medium-sized companies "Industriepreis 2008" by the business organization "Initiative Mittelstand". The jury was convinced by the product’s high utility value and innovative features.
The trend toward automation in machining centers is unmistakable. In large batch production, it is worthwhile to use gantries, robots and horizontal conveyor systems for changing workpieces. For small quantities, however, such solutions are often inordinately expensive. That is why the gripper specialists at SCHUNK have standardized a concept in which the workpiece handling is left up to the machining center itself.
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The gripper with spindle interface from SCHUNK allows economical automation of machining centers.
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The gripper with an interface for the tool spindle is placed in the tool rack like any other tool. At the beginning of a cycle it is changed onto the machine spindle, after which the machining center moves on its own axes to a magazine on the machine table, where it grips a raw part and places it in the machine’s clamping device for machining. Then the gripper is placed in the tool magazine. After machining, the gripper is changed, the finished workpiece is transported back into the workpiece rack and the cycle starts again. This process enables fully automatic workpiece changing by the machining center.
Axial compressed air from the machine spindle or coolant up to 60 bar through the internal high-pressure cooling system can be used as actuating media for the gripper. The grippers are available both as PGN-plus 2-Finger Parallel Grippers and PZN-plus 3-Finger Centric Grippers. They are available with standard HSK, Capto and KM interfaces. Other interfaces are available on request.
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