FANUC to showcase new mill/turn option at MACH 2024

Industrial automation specialist FANUC UK will showcase a range of real-world robotic innovations at MACH 2024, including an affordable muti-axis turning and machining solution aimed at helping manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, utilities and energy supply chains reduce cycle times, cut costs, save space and boost production efficiency.

As well as EDM wire cutting, aerospace cobot drilling and educational solutions, the centrepiece of the FANUC stand will be an advanced ROBODRILL machine, equipped with a 24k spindle and mounted with a Nikken two-axis high speed rotary table, featuring a built-in direct drive motor that achieves 1500rpm. In operation throughout the entire five days of the show, the demonstration cell will produce finished scroll compressor aluminium housings, showcasing live to visitors the cost-saving and performance benefits to be gained from combining machining and turning processes.

Affordable multi-functionality for SMEs

“FANUC and Nikken have worked together to create a combined machining/turning cell with an extended range of functionality, offered at a fraction of the cost of machines with similar capabilities,” says Oliver Selby, Head of UK Sales at FANUC UK.

“At the heart of the solution is our D21LiB5ADV Plus ROBODRILL, which is a three-axis machine in its core configuration. The Nikken table adds a further two axes, allowing users to turn and machine components on the same unit,” Oliver explains. “This is a real breakthrough, which brings the functionality of million-pound machines within reach of SMEs at a significantly lower cost, helping them to become more competitive and consider undertaking work that would previously have been unavailable to them.”

Less than three metres long and a little over two metres wide, the ROBODRILL/Nikken solution is a truly lean machine with a compact footprint. It features a Nikken 5AX-201 tilting rotary table with pneumatic clamping, enabling difficult-to-hold components to be quickly mounted and changed. In addition, access from all sides means the majority of operations can be completed in one hit, optimising machine tool and operators’ time.

Cobot applications in action

Also available to visitors to the FANUC stand at MACH 2024 will be an aerospace drilling cell comprising a CRX-25iA cobot, developed by FANUC partner Electroimpact. Delivering accessible and cost-effective pre-validated drilling functionality for the aerospace sector, it offers manufacturers improved reliability, repeatability and traceability compared to current manual practices. A FANUC C600iC ROBOCUT wire EDM. And an automated robot machine tool loader, developed in conjunction with YMT Technologies, alongside a D21MiB5ADV Plus ROBODRILL.