b'WORK CELLSMethods Machine ToolsA robot collects a workholder and part from a Plus-K pallet.Its really just a comfort level withSo when the operator changessystems are a straightforward way having a yellow robot load and un- from making, say, a 2"2"2" (50.8to free up more machinists.load a machine rather than having amm) square block mounted on aIn addition, Spencer said the Plus-person standing in front of it. vise to a 1"-dia.-by-3"-tall (25.4 mmK consumes about a third of the The Plus-K automation system 76.2 mm) round part, the robot isfloor space of a conventional hori-is one of Methods Machine Toolsstill picking up the workpiece in (the)zontal pallet pool machine and has flagship cell offerings. The companysame place, he said. There is noa rotary storage carousel with 60 says the system features a Fanuc LRrobot setup for the end user. part/part carrier positions.Mate 200iD six-axis, articulating- Spencer said this arrangementHe said one of the main applications arm, industrial-grade robot addedenables an entry-level technicianfor the Plus-K is making bone plates to a medium-bed Fanuc Robodrill.to load and unload parts at the ma- for the medical industry, in which two The robot loads and unloads work- chine instead of using a high-levelor three parts are produced before piece carriers from the machine,operator, who instead can workchanging to the next one.nearly eliminating setup time andwith a more advanced four- or five- Although the Plus-Ks robot is en-boosting the Robodrills output. axis machine control. This is espe- closed for worker safety, Spencer said In addition to high-mix, low-vol- cially beneficial at shops where oneMethods Machine Tools is working ume production environments, theprogrammer is responsible for pro- on developing standard work cells system is suitable for medium-vol- gramming all the machine tools. with collaborative robots. He said ume jobs, Spencer said, becauseWhat we hear from customerscobot cells typically are designed to the robot is always picking from thepretty much every day is I cant findhave less unattended run time and same transport plate and not pick- help or I cant find qualified help,more ease of use for operators.ing a specific workpiece. hesaid.StandardautomationThose are the ones we try to ctemag.com/cteguide.com35Workcells.indd 35 8/17/21 3:22 PM'