The Advantages of Automating Your Production: Automatech Robotik Multi-CNC Robotic Integration Cell
The manufacturing industry is rapidly evolving, and the traditional processes many woodworking shops once relied on are, in many cases, no longer achieving top-notch results. Many shops are turning to automation, having multiple machines run in conjunction with one another and requiring less physical labor to man the equipment. In the above video, James Swanson, Product Manager at Stiles Machinery, explains how a multi-CNC robotic integration cell that uses an Automatech Robotik machine moves parts through an entire production process with little-to-no human interaction.
Automatech Robotik, based in Quebec, Canada, works with wood manufacturers to help them achieve sustainable, long-term growth by implementing wood processing automation into their production.
The process begins with the job parts being retrieved from the HOMAG STORETEQ system, then delivered to the correct machine. The CENTATEQ N-700 receives each panel from the STORETEQ and applies an identifying barcode label to each one. The finished parts are delivered on an outfeed conveyor and then moved to the industrial robotic portion of the production cell.
There, the overhead vision system scans parts and communicates a few things to the robot: the orientation of each piece on the outfeed belt, which parts do and do not need to receive dowels, and where it goes next.
In this example, the DRILLTEQ D-200, a drill and dowel insertion machine, inserts dowels into the proper pieces before they move further throughout the cell. Some parts also receive edge banding.
The optimization system in place in this cell is Cut Rite, which strategically places cuts so there is minimal material waste. As the parts are taken by the robot, the waste pieces remain on the outfield belt and are then moved through a series of conveyors until they make it to the grinder, are ground into dust, and are sucked up by the dust collection system.
The parts that do not receive dowel insertion or edge banding are exited from the cell for the operator to collect.
“The most important piece of why this system exists: it is the consistency piece. We need to ask ourselves the questions: ‘How does this make me more efficient? How does it decrease my dependence on direct labor? How does it handle the inconsistencies of my manufacturing process?’” Swanson said.
The automated manufacturing cell does it all and more, saving manufacturers time and labor costs, optimizing material usage to limit waste, and eliminating the inconsistencies and imperfections caused by manual labor while setting higher quality standards.