A Good Grip on Machining: ROBODRILL Provides Six-fold Increase in Capacity

Task

With worldwide demand for robots currently booming, leading robot accessory manufacturer Grip GmbH required more machining centre capacity, not only to keep pace with orders, but to enhance productivity and drive down costs. Alongside speed, precision and reliability, the new machining centres had to offer batch size flexibility: down to single component lots if necessary.

Solution

After careful consideration and market assessment, Grip GmbH opted for FANUC and its high-capability ROBODRILL 𝛼-D21M𝑖B5ADV machining centre, an advanced version of the latest D-series ROBODRILL. The high-specification machines acquired by Grip GmbH include an innovative tool and workpiece handling system (provided by a FANUC system partner) that features a FANUC robot.

Result

The complete package of FANUC machine with tool and workpiece handling system in a compact cell impresses with its speed, flexibility and price-performance ratio, allowing Grip GmbH to perform the unmanned production of small series and individual parts. The company calculates that its machining capacity has seen an almost six-fold increase

Häberle is a special machine manufacturer and system partner of FANUC Germany. The Häberle RobodrillPlus-K sees the ROBODRILL 𝛼-D21M𝑖B5ADV Plus embellished with tool and workpiece handling in a compact cell, delivering modern unmanned production. The unique storage unit expands the machine to 65 tools and 60 workpiece pallets, thus accommodating any manufacturing demand, including small series and individual part production. Automatic order-related changeover of clamping devices and tools arrives courtesy of a LANG zero-point clamping system complemented by a FANUC LR Mate 200𝑖D industrial robot.

“My initial plan was to use the first year for testing our new FANUC ROBODRILL machines,” explains Canti. “However, after three months we were using them to their full extent. Today, 10 months after installation, we can say that the machines are operating at optimal performance. FANUC has more than fulfilled our expectations, supported by outstanding staff creativity. The results are truly perfect and we’ve been able to increase capacity almost six-fold.” He concludes: “If I was faced with this decision again, I would make the same choice without hesitation.”