1、 Project Background

In modern manufacturing, improving production efficiency, reducing labor costs, and ensuring the accuracy and stability of the production process are the goals pursued by enterprises. The robot guide rail machine tool loading and unloading project has emerged, aiming to use robot technology to achieve automated operation of machine tool loading and unloading.

2、 The robot guide rail machine tool loading and unloading system in the case study

1. Linear layout robot loading and unloading system

• Linear layout robots can perform reciprocating and cyclic operations on linear layout machine tool assembly lines through guide rails installed on the ground. This layout is attached to the production line and located on one side of the machine tool. It can minimize the occupation of factory space and flexibly adapt to the switching of different production processes for different batches of products. For example, on the machining assembly line for automotive parts production, when the product model is switched, the linear layout robot can quickly adjust the operation mode according to the new process requirements without the need for large-scale changes to the entire production line layout1。

• Advantages of homework：

• Characterized by high production efficiency. Robots can continuously perform loading and unloading operations according to preset programs, reducing pauses and preparation time during manual operations.

• Save personnel maintenance. Compared to traditional manual loading and unloading, it reduces reliance on manpower and thus lowers maintenance costs.

• One person can monitor the loading and unloading of the entire line. Operators can monitor the entire loading and unloading process through the monitoring system, and promptly detect and handle abnormal situations.

• Layout characteristics：

• Application scope：Widely used in the field of machine tool loading and unloading, especially for mass production and relatively fixed process product processing, such as the machining of mobile phone metal shells。

2. Cross shaped layout robot loading and unloading system

• The cross shaped layout is a loading and unloading robot that can correspond to the loading and unloading operations of multiple machine tools according to the processing technology requirements. This layout effectively reduces the occupation of factory space and allows for the placement of more machine tools and equipment within a limited workshop area. Taking a small precision machining workshop as an example, by using a zigzag layout robot loading and unloading system, multiple small precision machine tools can be set up in a small space, improving the space utilization rate of the workshop1。

• Advantages of homework：

• In the one to many loading and unloading system of robots or in different machine tool processing operations, the robot completes the picking and placing actions of blanks and processed parts, effectively improving the efficiency of robot use. Through reasonable programming, robots can shuttle smoothly between multiple machine tools for loading and unloading, reducing their idle time.

• Layout characteristics：

• Application scope：Suitable for multi machine loading and unloading scenarios with similar processing techniques and relatively compact machine layout, such as small hardware product processing workshops.

3. Longmen layout robot loading and unloading system

• The gantry loading and unloading workstation can load and unload multiple machine tools. The loading and unloading robot system consists of a four axis gantry robot arm, which can move freely in specific three-dimensional spaces of X, Y, and Z. For example, in the processing workshop of large mechanical components, gantry layout robots can cover a large working area and perform loading and unloading operations on multiple large machine tools. And the structure of the gantry layout robot is relatively stable, which can carry heavy workpieces for loading and unloading operations1。

• Advantages of homework：

• Its stability helps improve the accuracy of loading and unloading. When loading and unloading large and heavy workpieces, it can ensure that the workpiece is accurately placed in the machining position of the machine tool or accurately placed in the designated position after being removed from the machine tool。

• Layout characteristics：

• Application scope：Suitable for loading and unloading of large and heavy workpieces on machining machines, such as machining machines for large engine cylinder blocks.

三、Benefits after project implementation

1. Increase productivity

• The loading and unloading system of the robot guide rail machine can operate continuously for 24 hours without being affected by factors such as personnel fatigue and rest. Taking a certain metal processing enterprise as an example, before adopting the robot guide rail machine tool loading and unloading system, due to the efficiency bottleneck of manual loading and unloading, the utilization rate of the machine tool was only about 60%. After implementing the project, the utilization rate of the machine tool increased to over 90%, greatly improving the production capacity of the enterprise.

2. Reduce labor costs

• Reduced reliance on manual loading and unloading operations. A traditional machine tool loading and unloading position may require multiple workers to take turns working, while with the adoption of a robotic system, only a small number of monitoring and maintenance personnel are needed. For example, a small machining workshop originally required 5 workers for loading and unloading operations, but with the adoption of a robot system, only 1 worker is needed for monitoring and simple maintenance, significantly reducing labor costs.

3. Improve product quality

• The accuracy and stability of robot loading and unloading are higher than manual operation. In some precision machining fields, robots can accurately place workpieces in the machining position on the machine tool with minimal error range, thereby improving the machining accuracy and quality consistency of products. In optical lens processing, the robot guide rail machine tool loading and unloading system ensures precise clamping of the lens on the machine tool, improving the yield of the lens.

四、conclusion

The robot guided rail machine tool loading and unloading project has broad application prospects and significant advantages in modern manufacturing industry. By reasonably selecting different layout methods, such as linear layout, herringbone layout, and gantry layout, the needs of different production scenarios can be met, bringing multiple benefits to enterprises such as improving production efficiency, reducing labor costs, and enhancing product quality.