Machine-Tending Robot for Optics Specialists
A leading manufacturer of specialist optical equipment, supplying components to some of the world's largest optics companies from its site near Leeds, needed to triple production output from its Mazak Integrex machine — within one month. The Integrex had been acquired specifically for a new contract requiring all critical features to be completed in a single set-up. When the customer significantly increased its order volume, manual loading and unloading became the bottleneck.
CNC Robotics designed and integrated a bespoke machine-tending system built around a KUKA robot, complete with enclosure and a purpose-designed fixture for loading and unloading the Integrex. The system was installed and tested on a Friday afternoon. By the end of that weekend, over 300 components had been produced — all to the high-precision standards required for optical equipment.
The results exceeded expectations. Production from the Integrex tripled, with the robot enabling continuous operation across 24 hours a day and weekends - compared to eight hours per shift previously. The system was projected to pay for itself in three months; it returned the investment in six weeks. The customer subsequently ordered a second system for a new Okuma Multus machine, and the freed-up operator time was reinvested into CADCAM programming, broader machine skills, and process improvement.
The optics case study is a clear example of what machine-tending automation delivers in practice: more output from existing capital equipment, without additional headcount, and with a return on investment that is measurable within weeks rather than years. CNC Robotics designs and integrates machine-tending systems configured to the specific machine, part, and production requirements of the customer.
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