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UR cobots transform family owned business

Konetehdas K&K

In short

In 2011, the family-owned machine factory Konetehdas K&K acquired a UR robot to feed a grinding machine. President and CEO Kari Karaslahti expected it to be big, bulky, and hard to program, but he was pleasantly surprised. Now, two robots optimize a range of processes with great success. Founded in 1946, Helsinki-based machine factory, Konetehdas K&K, Ltd, offers its customers a wide range of machinery services.

The core of operations is small production runs, using manual milling machines, turning machines and programmable machining centers. With customers operating in the international market, accurate deliveries, high quality, and competitive pricing are key. The company decided to try out robotic automation to optimise its processes, but CEO Kari Haraslahti feared that the robots would be bulky and difficult to configure.

Konetehdas K&K

Industry Metal and Machining
Country Europe
Number of Employees 5-25
Cobots used UR5
UR5 collaborative robot, Konetehdas K&K.
UR5 collaborative robot, Konetehdas K&K.

The solution

In 2011, Konetehdas K&K received its first of two robots, and Kari Haraslahti was astounded by the user-friendliness and flexibility. “My son Ari went to our conference room, attached the robot to the table, and piled LEGO-pieces around it. It took him two hours to program the robot to make the movements we needed. It was really intuitive!”

Initially, the robot was attached to a machining tool, supplying pieces for grinding – a monotonous, but high precision routine. Now, the two robots do a whole lot more. "We started to understand the potential of these 18 kg robots. They are easy to move and program to other machines, and the transfer can be done quickly because they do not require any protective equipment. After the first programming the robot detects its location and chooses the right configuration automatically" says Haraslahti.

Automation challenges solved:

  • Removing repetitive labor
  • Optimizing a range of processes, freeing up workers' time and skill

Key value drivers:

  • Easy programming
  • Fast set-up
  • Flexible deployment
  • Collaborative and safe

Tasks solved by collaborative robots:

  • CNC
  • Machine tending

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