SherpaLoader® T88

SherpaVision®
: A combination of a 3D camera and a laser

The heart of the system is the 3D Vision System. It detects workpieces exactly where you’ve placed them, without the need for grid plates, stops, or matrices. This saves you from having to constantly retool mechanical fixtures, deal with the cumbersome programming of change magazines, and rely on costly and vulnerable rotary and stacking tables. A protective cover shields the optical sensors when the system is used in harsh operating conditions.

YASKAWA
6-axis industrial robot

MAFU-SHERPA CNC Automation relies on the proven robot technology of YASKAWA, a leading manufacturer of industrial robots with over 100 years of experience in the field of automation. The SherpaLoader® uses 6-axis robots from the GP series with payloads ranging from 7 to 225 kg.

Adaptive grippers
for hand inserts

As a long-standing system partner, MAFU-SHERPA CNC Automation equips its robot cells with ZIMMER handling technology. Round bar blanks are clamped using 3-jaw centric grippers, while rectangular bar stock and shafts are clamped using 2-jaw parallel grippers. The gripper fingers are quickly and precisely positioned within a wide adjustment range via a spline drive.

Electric spindle drive
with torque control

For machining centers that do not have a rotary feed-through for connecting pneumatic or hydraulic clamping devices, the SherpaLoader® automates the process using an electric torque wrench. The tightening torque for clamping parts and the opening angle for releasing clamped parts are set via the dialog control and are stored in the job.

Dialog Control with
17-inch Touch Display

The robot cell is operated via a dialog control system with a graphical user interface. On a 17-inch touchscreen, operators can set up new jobs in no time at all, without any knowledge of robot programming. The use of clear symbols and intuitive input screens provides context-sensitive guidance. For technically oriented employees, job creation is self-explanatory.

Air Blow for coolant and chip removal,

Cleanliness is crucial when performing precision work. The SherpaLoader® is equipped with a blow nozzle to clean the processing machine’s clamping device with compressed air before loading and to remove residue from parts after machining.

Universal interface for all major production machines

The SherpaLoader® is just as compatible with new machines as it is with existing machines. For about 15 years, machine tools have been equipped with bus interfaces for automation. The SherpaLoader® supports the widely used standards Profibus, Profinet, and EtherNet/IP. MAFU-SHERPA automates machines without a bus interface using M functions and potential-free contacts. This solution complies with guidelines and does not require costly retrofitting by the machine manufacturer.

Remote Diagnostics and Maintenance

The SherpaLoader® features a remote maintenance interface for remote support. If necessary, this interface can be used to read the diagnostic memory; adjustments to the master control and software updates can be performed without the need for a service technician to visit the site. This ensures faster troubleshooting and reduces downtime. The connection is secured using TSL 1.2 and RSA 2048 with asymmetric key exchange, as well as Perfect Forward Secrecy via the Diffie-Hellman ephemeral handshake—the security standard used for online banking.

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Technical Specifications

Part Library

1,700 pieces, Ø40 x 40 mm
280 pieces, Ø100 x 100 mm
30 pieces, Ø200 x 200 x 200 mm
12 pieces, Ø300 x 300 mm

Supply

Three-phase current 400 V, 16 A
Compressed air 3–8 bar

material staging

Pallet 2.0^m²
SpaceBox 12.0^m²

base module

Length 1,500 mm
Width 750 mm
Height 2,300 mm
Weight 1,830 kg

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Flexible Expansion Modules

Grows with your needs: functional extensions
for modular expansion, tailored to your manufacturing applications

Marking module

Marking station integrated into the unloading process with reliable carbide needle and large marking window

Parting off module

Cut-off extension module for producing several semi-finished products from one blank

Alignment module

Alignment station for pre-positioning molded parts for position-oriented insertion into the processing machine

Electric spindle drive

Automation of machine vices without rotary feed-through, with torque-accurate control of the tightening torque

Marking module

Marking station integrated into the unloading process with reliable carbide needle and large marking window

Parting off module

Cut-off extension module for producing several semi-finished products from one blank

Alignment module

Alignment station for pre-positioning molded parts for position-oriented insertion into the processing machine

Electric spindle drive

Automation of machine vices without rotary feed-through, with torque-accurate control of the tightening torque

Material storage

SpaceBox

Mobile storage unit with the standard dimensions of an euro pallet (1,200 x 800 mm). The total material storage capacity is 6 square meters, providing space for more than 1,500 small parts. Up to 10 drawers, each removable individually and lockable to prevent accidental opening during Transport. With the MultiJob functionality extension, an individual NC machining program can be assigned to each drawer.

table trolley

Standard size: 1,000 x 600 mm. Custom sizes available upon request.

Pallets

Standard size: 1,200 x 800 mm. Custom sizes available upon request.

SherpaVision® : A combination of a 3D camera and a laser

Technical Specifications

Flexible Expansion Modules

Marking module

Parting off module

Alignment module

Electric spindle drive

Marking module

Parting off module

Alignment module

Electric spindle drive

Material storage

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SherpaVision®
: A combination of a 3D camera and a laser