Versatile machining with RoboMACH HA 

Industrial automation and robotics specialists Loop Technology has a talent for solving complex engineering problems. Alongside a growing reputation in composite automation, they specialise in robotic machining systems. The latest innovation is the RoboMACH HA, a product that provides a cost-effective alternative to a large-capacity machine tool. It is extremely versatile in its application and delivers a variety of machining and processing applications. 

RoboMACH HA is integrated with a six-axis robot to provide drilling, milling, cutting, and trimming. In its standard configuration, it is integrated with a FANUC M- 800iA/60 which allows for high accuracy when machining harder materials such as cured carbon fibre alongside softer materials such as wood, engineering foam, plastic, and sand casting. Ultimately, the robot selection will be based on the specific requirements of the customer. 

James Streatfeild, Project Engineer at Loop Technology explained: “We recognised an opportunity to make robotic machining more accessible with a solution that would suit many applications. Ultimately, we are focused on ensuring our customers stay ahead of the market with a flexible, affordable process.” 

RoboMACH HA has been designed with a modular focus to offer product options meaning each system can be optimised to meet the requirements of the end user. This includes scalable machine guarding to ensure personnel are protected as well as plinth and spindle options dependent on required machining volume. 

With automatic tool changing and the option of adding additional rotary axes, it provides a level of versatility and flexibility that appeals to manufacturers engaged in complex machining. The tooling rack option is compatible with long and heavy tools and has the option of a broken tool sensor and a pneumatic lid. Furthermore, it is available with a 7th-axis positioner with a 1500kg load rating.   

Loop Technology are the official reseller of Robotmaster in the UK and Ireland and RoboMACH HA leverages this software to reduce robot downtime by creating simple and complex robot trajectories.

Technical Sales Engineer, Adam White states: “Robotmaster is the leading offline simulation and programming software for conducting trimming and machining operations with robot arms. Its ability to cut days of manual teaching down to a matter of minutes grants the user optimum flexibility.”

Using a robot to deliver different machining processes is a great option to consider. Through adjusting robotic programming and the end-of-arm tooling, objects of any size and shape can be milled, whilst exact cuts and movements for high-quality products can be achieved. Furthermore, Loop Technology can provide drilling solutions for various materials including carbon fibre, aluminium, and titanium, using orbital drilling technology to reduce heat concentration, tool wear, and improve the finished quality. 

RoboMACH HA is designed with the goal of increasing efficiency and speed in advanced manufacturing such as when cutting automotive parts and aerospace tools. Customers of RoboMACH HA include Solidwool, who make sustainable composite material made with British wool and bio-resin and use it to create furniture, homewares, and interior design finishes. They used the system to trim the excess bio-resin during the manufacture of their chairs. The Architectural Association used RoboMACH, a different configuration of this system, to automate the milling of unique forked trees. 

Loop Technology have other products on the frontier of automation technology. FibreLINE is a complete automation system for composite pre-forming that delivers an exponential increase in production rate for aircraft wings, train carriages and wind turbines. Additionally, there is LoopCLEAN Auto, a next-generation robotic laser cleaning system.