Automated workpiece feed for reliable turning processes on the MORI SEIKI SL-400BMC/800
In CNC turning, precise and reproducible workpiece handling plays a key role in process stability. In the following application, the material supply and clamping of rectangular castings on a MORI SEIKI SL-400BMC/800 is automated by a SherpaLoader®T20. The automation of workpiece feeding, positioning and component clamping reduces manual intervention, cuts non-productive times and standardizes and optimizes production processes.
Automated CNC machining with the MORI SEIKI SL-400BMC/800
The material is supplied via a Table Trolleys on which the raw parts are placed. The SherpaLoader®T20 captures prepared Parts with an integrated camera system. This recognizes the position of irregularly separated workpieces. The two-jaw parallel gripper uses this information to precisely grip the first Part and place it on the alignment plate.
The robot cell ensures safe production in autonomous operation. The safety devices include a safety-oriented control system, mechanical protection devices against reaching in, crawling under and reaching over, a safely monitored light curtain on the loading side with a resolution of 30 mm for hand detection, a safely monitored inspection door at the rear and continuous monitoring of the Robot Positions and speed at Performance Level d. These measures enable continuous safe operation in interlinking with the MORI SEIKI SL-400BMC/800.
After picking up a raw part, the robot places the part on a pre-positioning chute. Pre-positioning is used to reference the workpiece edge for clamping in the jaw chuck of the MORI SEIKI SL-400BMC/800 and helps to increase the repeat accuracy. After the Orientation of Blanks, the blank is transferred to the working area of the MORI SEIKI SL-400BMC/800. Before clamping in the machine clamping device, the jaw chuck is automatically cleaned with compressed air to remove chip and lubricant residues. This ensures the reproducibility of clamping and high component quality. The blank is then clamped in the cleaned jaw chuck, whereupon the turning process begins. The automated combination of alignment, cleaning and clamping contributes to a constant clamping position and thus to the repeat accuracy of the process.
Parallel processes reduce non-productive times and increase process reliability
While the Part is being edited on the MORI SEIKI SL-400BMC/800, the SherpaLoader®T20 is already preparing the next workpiece. Positioning on the alignment plate is synchronized with the ongoing machining process, thus reducing non-productive times. Once machining is complete, the finished part is automatically cleaned with compressed air in the clamped state before the robot arm removes it with the two-jaw gripper. The jaw chuck is then cleaned again and the next prepared blank is automatically inserted. Synchronous handling minimizes idle times between work cycles and maximizes the spindle run time.
Stable series production with a MORI SEIKI SL-400BMC/800
The SherpaLoader®T20 repositions the finished part on the Raw Material Staging. Automated feedback enables structured allocation of the Machined Parts and secures the production flow. The complete automation of component handling reduces manual intervention to a minimum, minimizing the risk of operator error and enabling consistently reproducible production. At the same time, the operating personnel are relieved and can concentrate on higher-level activities. The combination of camera-based position detection, automatic alignment, controlled clamping and repeated cleaning ensures consistently high component quality with high machine utilization. The SherpaLoader®T20 thus realizes a reliable and efficient turning process – particularly suitable for repeatable series production with stable cycle times.
