External Loader Heightens Part-Loading Automation for Radius ID Grinders

With the introduction of the Studer roboLoad system, United Grinding now offers manufacturers simple, seamless part-loading automation for CNC radius internal grinding machines such as the company’s Studer S121, S131 and S141. Until now, loader integration was intrinsically difficult on these types of machines, the company says, because of the height of their workheads and associated geometric restrictions. Now, in addition to meeting geometrical requirements, the upgraded Studer load offers a comparatively small footprint, and operates without any programming knowledge, allowing for greater production flexibility and a high degree of operating comfort.

Often used to produce dies for the packaging industry, the Studer S121, S131 and S141 machines’ automatic B axes swivel in a range from -60° to +91° for complete swivel freedom. Moreover, as an external loader, Studer roboLoad, measuring 59.06" (1.50 m) wide—which is half the width of the machine itself—saves shop floor space while offering enough room for workpieces manually loaded on six trays—each measuring 42.52" x 12.6” (1,080 mm x 320 mm)—within a comparatively small work area. 

Operators are also able to bring up any grinding program for the workpieces, and the Studer roboLoad processes them and places each workpiece back in the same place after machining, making unmanned production or use of breaks in other production processes possible.

For simple operation, the Studer roboLoad is said to incorporate a setup wizard developed by automation specialists from Wenger. According to United Grinding, it requires no programming knowledge on the part of the setter or machine operator. Easy-to-follow steps are graphically presented on a large 19'' intuitive display.

Moreover, Studer roboLoad retains grippers with quick-change jaws, which are convertible to a single gripper for parts weighing up to 15.4 lbs (7 kg) or

a dual gripper for parts weighing up to 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg).