The rationale is to optimise the entire manufacturing process which involves employing carefully thought-out systems concepts and high performance components, ranging from controllers, through robots and clever software, to employment of sensors in the fast growing use of machine-vision systems.

Manufacturers are facing pricing pressures to compete and are now addressing their production methods and finding many reasons to install a smart robot cell. They must automate rather than manually load, reduce the numbers of peripheral machines and clamping mechanisms required, shorten start-up periods and maintain stable, high quality levels. While increasing production they must reduce unit costs, perhaps deal with hostile working environments and yet improve working conditions as well as contend with health and safety problems.

This can be achieved using robots where a favourable price/performance ratio indicates a speedy payback period. For example a major consideration these days is to employ robots on third-generation machining centres in an unmanned operation over extended periods. Several models employ a robotic cell that is capable of 720 hours, i.e., 30 days, around the clock, on a reliable, economical, continuous, unmanned facility.

Supplying robots, mechanisms, conveyors, guarding and combining 'end effectors' with machine-vision systems plus the associated software allows Micromech engineers to develop "smart" robotic cells that come very close to deserving the name.

"Our success in providing automation and robotics for manufacturers will be greatly enhanced by this appointment" said Stirling Morley of Micromech, " our ability to build 'all in one solutions' is in line with the FANUC Robotics philosophy and the reason we were chosen to be a systems integrator".

John Rainer of Fanuc said "customers require simple integration of robotics into manufacturing systems to carry out from basic to complex operations. Micromech has good experience in designing, building and commissioning such systems and therefore made them an obvious choice"

'Affordable Automation'