Reliable 5-axis Machining on a Spinner U-1520 with robot-based automation
The increasing demands for reproducibility, dimensional accuracy and economical production make automated CNC processes a central component of modern production environments. In combination with a Spinner U-1520 5-axis machining center, the SherpaLoader®M20 creates a structured, robot-supported production solution with constant clamping conditions, synchronized processes and reduced manual intervention.
Robot-assisted automation of CNC Machining on a Spinner U-1520
The material is supplied via a SpaceBox whose drawers are automatically opened by the robot. The SherpaLoader®M20 is equipped with two two-jaw parallel grippers and grips the first Part with the blank gripper. A camera-based recognition system is used to detect the exact position of the Part on the SpaceBox. This enables position-independent removal, which increases flexibility when dealing with different geometries and positions and eliminates the need for manual alignment work in advance. After removal, the robot transfers the workpiece to an alignment station. There, the Part is reproducibly pre-aligned using mechanical stops. This pre-alignment compensates for positional deviations and creates defined transfer conditions for clamping in the U-1520 spinner. The robot transfers the part into the work area of the U-1520 spinner and first cleans the clamping point automatically. The removal of chip and cooling lubricant residues ensures consistent clamping quality and supports component accuracy over Lengthwise production runs. The aligned Part is placed in the vice of the U-1520 spinner. The robot closes the vice using an integrated electric Torque wrench. Closing the vice is automated using a defined torque and a defined angle of rotation. This standardized clamping force ensures constant clamping conditions and ensures repeatable positioning of the part for machining. While the first side of the workpiece is being machined, the next raw part is already being removed from the Raw Material Staging and prepared at the alignment station. The synchronous execution of preparatory steps in parallel with the machining process reduces non-productive times and increases the spindle running time of the U-1520 spinner in series operation. Once the machining program is complete, the robot automatically cleans the finished Part. The vice is then opened and the Part is removed. The clamping is then cleaned again before the next workpiece blank is inserted. The cleaned finished part is then placed back in the Raw Material Staging.
Series-capable CNC production with the Spinner U-1520 and the SherpaLoader®M25
The integration of the SherpaLoader® M20 into the production process on the Spinner U-1520 makes a significant contribution to increasing process reliability. Automated clamping processes, reproducible component positioning and controlled transitions between the process steps result in a constant machining sequence with minimal deviations. The standardized handling of raw and finished parts supports consistently high component quality, regardless of shift times or personnel deployment. The automation solution therefore provides a reliable and economical basis for stable production processes in an industrial series environment, while always meeting the highest safety standards. The entire system is protected by a light curtain, an access door and an access guard, so that the robot’s work area remains reliably separated from the rest of production. This ensures the permanent protection of personnel and the system.
