MMC-R provides increased machine and labor efficiencies for high product mix, low volume production runs.
Mason, Ohio (February 2010) Makino introduces the new MMC-R automation system for robotic fixture plate distribution in 4- and 5-axis horizontal and vertical machining centers. This new automation system is perfectly suited for high product mix, low volume production runs, enabling manufacturers to increase spindle utilization and reduce setup times through accurate and reliable machine loading, unloading, and part storage.
The MMC-R is designed for flexibility, accommodating a wide variety of customized configurations for simple shop floor integration and improved utilization of capital assets. These systems are typically composed of 4- and/or 5-axis horizontal and vertical machining centers, a 6-axis robot transport, work setting station(s), fixture plate storage rack(s), and fixture plates. An optional 7th axis floor track can be integrated into the MMC-R to support additional machining and storage capacities.
Fixture plates are designed with a steel construction and are available in a variety of sizes based on machine size, 4- or 5-axis machining, and robot specifications. Delphin interfaces provide secure fixture plate transfer between the robot gripper and the machine tombstone for accurate and repeatable part production. By transporting fixture plates in place of a complete machine pallet, manufacturers will benefit from reduced part fixture costs.
The MMC-R can incorporate Makino’s MAS-A5 Cell Controller for coordinated production schedules of fixture plate transfers, allowing increased manufacturing efficiency through reduced machine downtime. The MMC-R cell controller monitors the conditions of the robot transport and issue transfer tasks to the robot. A Human Machine Interface (HMI) is included for initial setup and alarm/event messaging to ensure in-progress production security.
