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moldmakingtechnology.com 47 One area in which industrial robotics can add value to the mold- making process is machine-tending of traditional CNC mills and/or wire EDMs. Generally speaking, the cycle times for machining molds are long, allowing an operator to easily manage several machines at once, which does not ease the return on investment for robotics. However, moldmaking involves small batch runs requiring change-over in the fixtures and workholding jigs that hold parts in the machines. Robotics can be used as the "lights-out waiter" for servicing multiple machines that are working according to a long build schedule. As long as the machines are equipped with enough toolholders to produce a broad part mix over a long period of time, the robot can load and unload pallets or fixtures containing raw or finished product from one machine to another, based on a pre-developed machining build schedule. In an application such as this, the cell controller manages the build schedule, which is created through an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, and then controls the information to run a lights-out production environment. The robot is told which fixture to retrieve for the next order and which fixture is finished at a particular machine. The robot end-of-arm tooling typically interfaces with a common mechanical feature on every fixture or pallet so that the robot's end effector is simplified, which drives robotic investment down. This type of machining cell can include various machine combinations as well as inspection, part deburring and washing stations. The robot is neither the intelligent nor the risky asset here, because it will reliably load and unload fixtures for hours. The robot also is inherently flexible. It can drop off one end effector for another—for example, one to select fixtures and another to deburr a machined part. The robot can also be OMP400—Optical transmission strain gauge probe.More details at renishaw.com/omp400 • Lower contact forces for less stylus bend and pre-travel • Excellent 3D performance • CMM-level accuracy • Excels in the harshest machine conditions Learn more: Renishaw.com/RMP600 Renishaw's strain gauge technology offers an unrivaled opportunity to control the variables of process control for small to medium-size machining centers. Reap the benef ts of automated job set-up, reduced scrap and lower f xture costs. The unique frequency-hopping feature of the RMP600 maintains radio transmission and control, even in the "noisiest" environments. RENGAGE ™ strain gauge technology—for the most accurate probes in the world. the infi nite possibilities of process control Renishaw Inc Hoffman Estates, IL www.renishaw.com See us at AERODEF 2015, Booth 147