Siemens and Kuka join forces on machine tool robotics

At the centre of the joint development is the operator-friendly use of robots to load machine tools. As part of their cooperation, Siemens and Kuka also intend to work on innovative techniques for machining new materials such as composites.They point out that robots offer extended working zones that can improve the machining of large items such as aircraft wing parts or car bodies. In such applications, the components are often too big and complex to move them or to machine them using conventional Cartesian techniques. In such cases, robots can often replace expensive specialised systems.Robotic machining can also be used in a similar way to CNC machines for multiple machining of parts, handling tasks such as drilling, riveting, trimming, deburring and simple milling, as well as performing auxiliary roles such as measuring, marking and testing. Robots often cost less than machine tools,SKF 6212 deep groove ball bearings from China if precision is not critical.tire changer Programming and operation can be performed in a Siemens Sinumerik CNC environment, and robots can be inteVintage tubsgrated into the CAD/CAM/CNC design chain.Lanyard StrapUsers who already use engineering tools such as NX CAM can continue to design and simulate parts in a familiar environment and can implement parts directly from engineering in production. 

“With this joint approach, the two companies are strengthening the fundamental idea of integrated production and can, for example, develop new markets by close intermeshing of machine tool tasks and loading tasks,” says Kuka CEO, Manfred Gundel.“The CNC control from Siemens and the robot controls from Kuka are ideal for integrating robot and CNC technology,spherical roller bearing” adds Dr Robert Neuhauser, CEO of Siemens’ Motion Control Systems business. “With this cooperation, we are deepening our many years of cooperation and together advancing intelligent automation solutions as outlined by the Industry 4.0 project for the benefit of both partners and to expand business.”The companies plan to develop scalable, integrated systems for machining workpieces with robots. These will range from robots with added CNC machining functions, to pure CNC machining systems. They aim to integrate the robots into PLM processes.