The SherpaLoader® is the world's first loading robot that automatically recognizes round bars, squares and plate blanks as standard. With its camera and laser system, it detects workpieces on table trolleys, drawers and pallets and picks them up for loading into machine tools. Once machining is complete, it removes the finished parts from the processing machine and places them back on the loading device.
SherpaVision® 4
Robots without image processing cannot “see” their surroundings. In order for them to pick up workpieces reliably, the workpieces must be positioned precisely and in a reproducible manner. This usually requires grid plates, rotary tables, stackers, or workpiece towers; in addition, the operator must specify which blank is located in which position.
The SherpaLoader® eliminates this mechanical and organizational overhead. Its SherpaVision® camera system recognizes workpieces, allowing them to be positioned flexibly—without the need for complex storage technology. With its integrated AI, even parts with reflective or low-contrast surfaces can be automated, even under uncontrolled ambient lighting. It’s just like with humans: vision creates flexibility. In difficult viewing conditions, the brain fills in incomplete visual information using context and experience.
With conventional loading systems, you must choose a method for material staging. The SherpaLoader® is designed to accommodate three different loading methods: table trolleys, pallets, or a SpaceBox. You select the appropriate method based on the quantity, weight, and size of the components.
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For batch sizes ranging from 5 to 5,000 parts, short setup times are crucial. During setup, the processing machine is idle, and valuable spindle time is lost. Camera-controlled systems have shorter setup times than mechanical systems because there is no need to change grid plates, magazines, or other mechanical stops. During a workpiece change, only the gripper span of the robot grippers needs to be adjusted.
The robot cell is operated via a dialog control system with a graphical user interface. On a 17" touchscreen, operators can set up new jobs in no time at all, without needing any programming knowledge for robot controllers. The use of clear symbols and intuitive input screens provides context-sensitive guidance. For technically oriented employees, job setup is self-explanatory.
The SherpaLoader®’s motion sequences are optimized for loading machine tools. During commissioning, the robot paths are adapted to the geometry of the customer’s machine and the range of parts to be manufactured: The automation system is handed over to the customer fully configured. The system enables the use of robot cells in medium-sized manufacturing companies that cannot fully utilize an in-house robotics expert due to irregular setup tasks.
These companies are already automating their production with MAFU-SHERPA CNC Automation
Customer Stories
"Because of the quick ROI, we immediately purchased a second MAFU-SHERPA CNC automation system. And we plan to automate next machines."
Matthias Rose, Managing Director
Personnel Cost Reduction -
Additional
CNC machines
per operator
"Die Automation hat unseren Umsatz auf der Anlage mehr als verdoppelt. Das sind Erfolg und Ansporn zugleich. Deshalb haben wir gerade in eine neue Bearbeitungsmaschine aus dem Haus HERMLE investiert – und in einen weiteren SherpaLoader.
Johannes Seilbeck, Managing Director
Daily increase in spindle time
Sales on
of the facility
"Qualified machine operators are hard to come by at the Gebesee site. Therefore, improving on-time delivery can only be achieved with the help of a robot."
Rene Liebl, Owner
's term of office
Additional
Specialists Needed
At the prestigious 2021 handling award, the jury and readers honored the SherpaLoader®—awarding it first place in the “Handling & Assembly” category and naming it the best product in the competition. Thank you very much for your votes!
Robots with payloads ranging from 7 to 225 kg for handling round and hexagonal bars, plate and square blanks, as well as cast and forged parts. Equipped with two-jaw parallel grippers or three-jaw centric grippers, pneumatically or servo-electrically actuated, fitted with single fingers, pendulum jaws, contour jaws, or prism inserts. Go to the Configurator
For edging material
max. weight 4 kg
Workpiece range
10 x 10 x 10 to
150 x 150 x 150 mm
For rectangular bar stock
weighing up to 8 kg*
Size range:
10 x 10 x 10 to
150 x 150 x 150 mm
For rectangular bar stock
max. weight*: 18 kg
Size range:
20 x 20 x 10 to
200 x 200 x 200 mm
For rectangular bar stock
weighing up to 38 kg*
in the Size range
20 x 20 x 10 to
300 x 300 x 300 mm
For rectangular bar stock
weighing up to 73 kg*
in the Size range
20 x 20 x 10 to
300 x 300 x 300 mm
For rectangular bar stock
weighing up to 175 kg*
Size range:
project-specific
For cylinders and shafts
max. weight 4 kg
Workpiece range
Ø 10 x 10 - Ø 150 x 150 and
Ø 10 x 50 - Ø 30 x 300 mm
For cylinders and shafts
weighing up to 8 kg*
in the size range:
Ø 10 x 10 x 10 and
Ø 150 x 150 x 150 mm
For cylinders and shafts
Max. weight*: 18 kg
in the Size range
Ø 15 x 10 - Ø 220 x 200 and
Ø 10 x 100 – Ø 60 x 400 mm
For cylinders and shafts
weighing up to 38 kg*
in the size range
Ø 20 x 10 - Ø 300 x 300 and
Ø 20 x 200 – Ø 80 x 600 mm
For cylinders and shafts weighing
to 73 kg*
in the Size range
Ø 20 x 10 - Ø 300 x 300 and
Ø 20 x 200 – Ø 80 x 1,000 mm
For cylinders and shafts
weighing up to 175 kg*
Size range:
project-specific
Grows with your needs: functional extensions
for modular expansion, tailored to your manufacturing applications
Marking station integrated into the unloading process with reliable carbide needle and large marking window
Cut-off extension module for producing several semi-finished products from one blank
Alignment station for pre-positioning molded parts for position-oriented insertion into the processing machine
Marking station integrated into the unloading process with reliable carbide needle and large marking window
Cut-off extension module for producing several semi-finished products from one blank
Alignment station for pre-positioning molded parts for position-oriented insertion into the processing machine
Thanks to its universal interface, the SherpaLoader® can be connected to all standard turning and
milling machines—regardless of their year of manufacture. This means that the same SherpaLoader®
can be used for retrofitting an existing machine in your fleet, as well as for automating a new machine.
We would be happy to show you and your team how to start and use the SherpaLoader® without any previous knowledge.
Give us a call:
+49 711 2525 744 - 0
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