Boost Production with Automated Machine Tending

Swivellink manufacturers mounting systems used for vision systems, cycle start buttons, sensors, light monitors and robotic applications in Northwest Ohio. Parts are machined on two ROBODRILLS for 20-24 hours a day. However, the company was facing a shortage of labor to operate the machines and needed to boost production to keep up with demand. APT Manufacturing Solutions, a FANUC-certified robotics integrator, implemented an automated machine tending solution using LR Mates with the ROBODRILLS to load and unload parts. The automation has resulted in a 33% increase in production efficiency and an ROI of just 33 weeks. The CNC cycle time did actually increase by 20 seconds with the FANUC robot, but the total cycle time actually decreased by 1:30 over an 8-hour shift because of the robot’s excellent accuracy and reliability. The number of parts produced over the 8-hour shift increased from 100 to over 150 with the robotics application.