Suhner Automation is a Swiss company who has specialized in solutions that improve the efficiency and profitability of production environments. The company is widely recognized as a leader in the field of machining units for drilling, milling and tapping operations. Based in Brugg, between Bazel and Zürich, it is part of the Suhner Group of companies, which has existed for over 100 years, and which focuses on creating state-of-the-art industrial products and manufacturing processes. In that perspective, the automation of grinding machines may not appear odd for Suhner and RoboJob.
"But this is a first," co-founder and -CEO Helmut De Roovere states. "Of the more than 200 installations that we have completed so far, the large majority are those of CNC lathes and gradually increasingly of milling machines. After all, the Turn-Assist was our first product. Meanwhile, we’ve added the Mill-Assist Essential and the Mill-Assist Conveyor, and these products are catching up quickly. But this is the first time that we automate a grinding machine."
"The principle, however, is largely the same," De Roovere explains. "The robot takes a rough work piece from a predetermined position, and positions it most accurately, in the grinding machine. The grinding machine does its thing, and then the robot will take it out of the machine and position it on a different, predetermined place. This is the same process with lathes, milling machines and now also with grinding machines. Obviously, each time with the same user-friendly software that allows the complete set-up in less than 5 minutes."
The installation has been completed several weeks ago, and according to Jürg Beutler, Managing Director of Suhner Automation AG, the customer is extremely pleased with both the installation, as well as with the solution that was recommended to him: "Initially, this customer had some doubts about the accuracy and stability of automation. The accuracy and cleanliness of the clamping system is a key element in the grinding process and with automation, this would have to run completely unmanned. We are therefore delighted that the quality of the RoboJob standard products is so high that this is not a problem. The integrated airblow does not only consist of well equipped hardware, but also the software and the movements of the robot in the background provide a highly accurate clamping. In addition, the installation was completed in just a few days, carried out by our certified team in close cooperation with the specialists of RoboJob. The next installation has already been scheduled in December and we are confident that this will be delivered to utmost satisfaction."
This first installation in Switzerland was carried out by the service team of RoboJob, together with the technical staff of Suhner. The fact that they were able to successfully conclude it, further strengthens the relationship between both parties. "We are extremely pleased that we can now offer our Swiss customers an additional opportunity to further increase their efficiency, effectiveness as well as their flexibility," Beutler concludes.
