Industrial robots are striding into the field of machine tools and are combined with machine tools to provide users with a variety of personalized intelligent manufacturing equipment.At present, the application of robots in machine tools by domestic enterprises is still in its infancy, and many theoretical and practical problems have not been fully understood and resolved.  

XNUMX. The rapid development of integrated applications of robots and machine tools  

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The reason for this rapid development trend is, of course, related to the leading and catalytic effects of China’s industrial transformation and upgrading, the rapid increase in China’s labor costs, the reduction in the price of industrial robots, and the improvement in performance. Special reasons: First, with the continuous improvement of machine tool numerical control technology and the maturity of various automatic detection and dynamic compensation technologies, the development of machine tool technology has entered a new stage of intelligence, and the addition of robots has only played a role in fueling the flames; The integrated application of robots and machine tools also has some special advantages. For example, the density of machine tools is increased, and the utilization rate of the plant is increased; the auxiliary time is shortened, and the efficiency of the machine tool is improved; the accuracy and repeatability of the operation are higher than that of natural persons; the possibility of work-related injuries is greater To reduce; can work continuously for a long time without emotional problems and emotional needs, and so on.  

XNUMX. The main form of integrated application of robots and machine tools  

In most application fields such as welding, handling, palletizing, and assembly, industrial robots are used as the host.Unlike this, robots that are matched with machine tools generally function as auxiliary machines.The current specific application forms mainly include:  

(1) Single machine loading and unloading  

Single machine loading and unloading is the most typical and mature application of robots on machine tools.It is more accurate, fast and safer than manual loading and unloading.For the processing of small and medium-sized parts with large production batches and short processing time, or bulky workpieces that need to be hoisted, the advantages of robot loading and unloading are particularly obvious.  

The structural relationship between the robot and the machine tool is divided into two forms: the robot is installed outside the machine tool and the one integrated with the machine tool.Robots installed outside the machine tool are divided into fixed, mobile, and frame types.  

(2) Robot and machine tool form a flexible production line  

The robot is responsible for the process conversion work of the workpiece and forms a flexible production line with several machine tools. It is an application that is more complicated and more valuable than a single machine.In the current process of industrial transformation and upgrading, market demand is becoming stronger and stronger.  

In this application, the layout of the machine tool depends on factors such as the process route and site conditions.Common forms include L-shaped, U-shaped, straight-line, and opposite layouts. Among them, three CNC machine tools form a U-shaped layout, and a robot performs workpiece conversion in the middle of the field. This layout is very compact.  

(3) Complete the machining process with the machine tool  

The robot clamps the workpiece to realize the processing operation on the punching, shearing and bending machine, which is not only a simple loading and unloading, but also replacing all the original manual operations.This is more accurate and faster than manual operation, thereby improving product quality and production efficiency.In particular, it completely solves the hidden dangers of work-related injuries on stamping machine tools.  

(4) Complete processing procedures independently  

Equipped with special claws for the robot, the robot can complete the cutting, grinding, polishing, cleaning and other technological processes.Even the robot can directly clamp the cutting tool, punch, tap, and rive the workpiece, and it can also perform cutting processing.In this case, the robot itself is a machine tool.  

Robots with visual and tactile senses can be used in complex processes such as assembly and parts sorting. Even for loading and unloading, special workstation appliances with positioning devices are not required.  

Equipped with special claws for the robot, it can be used for casting and forging machinery operating in high temperature environments to complete tasks that cannot be done directly by humans, such as taking molten iron, pouring, heating up and down blanks, and replacing hot molds.  

Industrial robot is a kind of highly flexible general automation device, and its application occasions and functions have unlimited expansion space.In the integrated application with machine tools, the specific application forms of industrial robots are also constantly being explored and innovated.  

XNUMX. The development and application of robots by domestic machine tool companies  

Since industrial robots have many similarities with CNC machine tools in principle and structure, they are all controlled by a CNC system and driven by a servo motor to achieve precise position movement. Therefore, machine tool manufacturers have considerable advantages in the development of industrial robots. .Therefore, many robot manufacturing companies at home and abroad have a foundation in machine tool manufacturing.  

There are also some keen-sighted machine tool companies in China, aware of the huge business opportunities that are coming, and have been involved in the development and manufacturing of industrial robots a few years ago.At present, there are two main types of machine tool companies developing robots in China. One type is CNC system manufacturers, such as Guangshu, Huazhong CNC, Nanjing Estun, Dalian Guangyang, and Chengdu Guangtai; the other is a relatively complete product category, which is undertaking OEMs with advantages in complete projects, such as Dalian Machine Tool, Shenyang Machine Tool, Xi'an Beicun, etc.In addition, Qinchuan Machine Tool Group, which is good at manufacturing precision gears, has successfully developed an RV reducer for robots after years of hard work, and has begun to move toward industrialization.  

Among these companies, Guangzhou CNC and Nanjing Estun have entered the ranks of the main domestic industrial robot manufacturers, with considerable popularity and influence.Guangzhou CNC has started to develop industrial robots for six or seven years, and now has a production capacity of 1000 units, and has accumulated many successful cases in machine tool applications.Nanjing Estun focuses more on the application of robots to forming machine tools.  

XNUMX. Some problems that need to be paid attention to and solved at present  

At present, the application of robots in machine tools by domestic enterprises is still in its infancy, and many theoretical and practical problems have not been fully understood and resolved.For example, the most common application form is to simply combine machine tools and robots, each using a set of control systems.To give full play to the advantages of the integrated application of robots and machine tools, unremitting efforts are needed.  

(1) The development of robots by machine tool companies should give full play to the inherent advantages related to the industry and establish higher development goals  

From the research and application of basic theories, to the improvement of manufacturing and assembly processes, to the breakthrough of basic components such as reducers and servo motors, we continue to work hard to contribute to the improvement of the level and quality of domestic robots.  

(2) In order to promote the improvement of the integrated application level of machine tools and robots, the research and formulation of relevant technical standards should be stepped up  

In this field, there are some special requirements for the control system and mechanical structure of machine tools and robots, which need to be regulated through the formulation of standards.  

(3) The training of robotics professionals and the popularization of related knowledge should be actively carried out  

Because it is a new industry, the development and application of robots are scarce.Especially in terms of application, at present, whether it is a robot integrator or a user, knowledge and experience are still lacking in varying degrees, which often leads to setbacks and failures of the project.  

(4) The machine tool working with robots should have sufficient automation functions  

For example, the automatic detection of machining accuracy, automatic detection and compensation of tool wear and automatic tool replacement, etc., so as to ensure the continuous and stable operation of the flexible working unit.  

(5) Cooperating robots and machine tools should be jointly designed, and necessary adaptive changes should be made separately  

There are not only changes in the mechanical structure (such as the protective structure), but also the integration of the control system, the arrangement of various sensors, etc., so as to form an organic whole with a unified and reasonable spatial layout and coordinated functions.  

In view of the development status of robot development and integrated application with machine tools, relevant companies should establish effective organizational liaison mechanisms to strengthen communication and cooperation, fully achieve resource sharing and complementary advantages, and establish necessary technical specifications and standards in a timely manner to form an industrial development Join forces.This will also play a beneficial role in promoting the transformation and upgrading of my country's machine tool industry.