Process-controlled Hard Turning Cell Pays for Itself in 18 Days
Texas shop’s automation team deploys Equator™ programmable gages for measuring and sorting mud-motor bearings.
Conroe Machine is doing what most machine shops only dream of—hard turning a family of parts around the clock in an unmanned cell that operates a “self controlled” process. The company is proof that the dream is achievable for any shop ready to use the talents of today’s young automation experts to exploit new technology, like Renishaw’s programmable Equator™ gage. The turning cell, with software and programming developed by CNC Programmer James Wardell and Robotics Technician Jeff Buck, integrates a Fanuc robot with the Equator™ gaging system, using Renishaw EZ-IO software to provide simple comprehensive communication for 100 percent part inspection and auto-compensation of a twin-spindle Okuma 2SP-250 lathe. The cell also boxes and palletizes finished parts. The company says the cell paid for itself in an amazing 18 days.
The same automation team has gone on to create an unmanned part measurement/sorting cell for a customer, this time combining two Equators, a Fanuc robot, a vision system and multiple lanes of low-profile conveyor. In both applications, the Equator demonstrates the value of programmable comparative inspection by quickly measuring a family of bearing races, doing it cost effectively, and without fixturing, or problems from a shop floor environment.