Robot-Equipped Grinding Cell Reduces Cycle Time

Gosiger Automation offers a grinding cell that combines an Okuma GA-47 grinder with a FANUC robot that is equipped with a vision system. The Okuma grinder has a two-axis configuration for versatility and handles workpieces as long as 60" and weighing as much as 660 lbs. The FANUC single-arm robot is equipped with a chuck and manually adjustable grippers, enabling the cell to accommodate a variety of workpiece sizes weighing as much as 420 lbs. An integrated gaging system with a probe automatically adjusts the grinder during operation.

Unfinished workpieces are loaded onto a conveyor system via forklift while another pallet receives finished workpieces from the robot arm. When completely loaded, the finished workpieces are indexed out of the cell by the incoming pallet of unfinished workpieces. According to the company, the grinding cell reduces cycle time and enables an operator to manage multiple cells, decreasing labor costs per workpiece.