Machine tending

Bring efficiency, speed, and precision to an entire new level with automated machine tending. Leverge the agility of collaborative robots for seamless material loading and unloading and consistent production process monitoring to propel your business forward.

Make the most of your uptime

Machine tending acts as the vital production pipeline in many manufacturing companies, ensuring a seamless flow of materials to various types of industrial equipment, including computer numerical control (CNC) and injection molding machines. However, loading materials incorrectly can lead to machinery jams and misalignments, resulting in faulty products, increased scrap rates, equipment damage and downtime, unexpected costs, and even safety hazards.

Performing machine tending tasks hour after hour can lead to fatigue and, ultimately, errors that disrupt production. While conventional robotic machine tending may seem like a solution, it often presents safety risks to human workers and lacks the versatility needed for diverse tasks. Cobots, on the contrary, can be easily integrated into existing setups, work alongside human operators, and be adjusted for a wide range of applications. Over time, employees can focus on higher value tasks that mitigate monotony and the risk of injury, reducing staff turnover and enhancing employee satisfaction.

Machine tending cobots in action

From time and resources saved to increased production output, businesses across industries have reaped the benefits of integrating robot arms into their workflows. See how Universal Robots cobots have played a part in automating machine tending.

Save time and resources

WST Fab, a US-based contract manufacturer, faced an unexpected challenge when a major customer order was canceled just as their new UR10e cobot arrived. Thanks to the cobot's versatility and easy reprogramming, the team quickly repurposed it to handle new tasks. With multi-purpose fixturing and 3D-printed grippers, WST Fab redeployed the cobot on the same system, saving both time and resources.

Reduce downtime

The UR5 cobots integrated with CNC machines by Go Fast Campers (GFC) in Montana helped this custom truck camper designer and manufacturer evolve from startup to industry leader. Powered by a unified UR software, these cobots can machine any part across multiple cells, enabling rapid production changes with minimal downtime. GFC now operates with just-in-time manufacturing, achieving 22 hours of daily machine time, including six hours unmanned.

Increase production and ROI

To tackle a skilled labor shortage, high-precision parts manufacturer EMI integrated UR cobots with the modular acubez™ automation system to manage CNC, CMM, and laser marking tasks. This cobot-powered solution adds over 1,200 production hours per machine annually, boosting efficiency to 95% and delivering a rapid ROI within just 12-18 months.

Precise and agile end-of-arm tools

UR cobots can precisely and securely grip parts, boxes, pallets, and other materials using specific end-of-arm tools. Taking payload, tool center point, and center of gravity in consideration, these tools can be further customized, with added fingers, tailored mounting, and external cabling for additional hardware. The level of precision and agility afforded by cobots allows for greater control in automated machine tending.

Safe and seamless collaboration

Cobots can be programmed to safely transport items short or long distance within facilities such as warehouses, labs, and research centers. They can also lift heavy loads or perform ergonomically stressful motions so human operators don't have to. Safety and security add-ons, such as vision systems and spacial awareness sensors, can be integrated into robot arms, allowing them to inhabit the same spaces as employees without posing safety risks.

Increased productivity with consistent quality

Automated machine tending can lead to more output in shorter time. Cobots can be programmed to take efficient transport routes and patterns, while working at sustained pacing without breaks unlike their human counterparts. Consistent handling also prevents parts from being damaged. This results in high-quality outputs 24/7 as downtimes and product defect rates are both reduced, contributing to increased productivity.

Complete your cobot

Our collaborative, industrial robots require add-ons to reach their full potential. This worlds of additional products in an entire ecosystem on its own. We at Universal Robots take the high pride in our ecosystem, which is called UR+.

Application kits

Application kits are useful for those who can install their own solution but are looking for a compatible set of end-effectors, software and other accessories

Components

Components are single products that can be combined with our UR robot to create an entire solution. This includes items such end-effectors, 7th axis, software or teach pendants.

Solutions

Solutions are flexible and easy to integrate and typically allow for variation in the choice of grippers and all the necessary accessories. These pre-assembled packages are ideal if you are looking for a plug-and-play solution with low risk, a manageable budget and on-site setup.

Tried. Tested. Trusted.

Universal Robots has deployed over 100,000 cobots into every manufacturing industry. Companies of all sizes, from Fortune 500 giants to local contract machine shops, are leveraging our 6th generation cobots to increase productivity and quality and improve job satisfaction for their manufacturing teams.

Flexible

UR cobots meet the demands for flexibility head-on with industry-leading ease-of-use, intuitive programming, and a powerful back-end for OEMs and developers to add value and meet specific needs. UR cobot-based systems generate ROI that is usually measured in months, not years.

Worker-safe, worker-friendly

Universal Robots has developed the most complete set of safety tools and functions in the industry. Our safety protocols can be configured to meet the varied safety requirements of your plant or facilities and your application risk assessment, letting your manufacturing team work safely side-by-side with UR cobots.

Get your Machine Tending brochure

Keep exploring the benefits of automation and learn how businesses from different industries have been using collaborative robots to perform their machine tending tasks