7-axis robot gantry:

SW ensures optimum material flow

Efficient interlinking for complete machining with 7-axis robot gantry

Each SW machining center is a highly productive solution with the shortest cycle times. In production lines, it is important to further increase productivity by optimizing material flow and sophisticated automation into efficient complete processing from the raw part to the finished component. Conventional robots with six axes reach their limits here. Our solution is linking the machine tools and other stations via SW’s “TopRob7” 7-axis robot gantry.

7-Axis robot gantry for complex movements

The automatic loading and unloading of CNC machining centers and transport to the next loading area requires complex movements. The 7-axis robot gantry from SW offers an additional linear axis beyond the 6 degrees of freedom of conventional robots. The robot solution and the gantry are modularly expandable and highly flexible in use.

Safety without protective fences

It’s important that people are not endangered by the movements of a robot. That is why a protective enclosure is usually prescribed at least within the radius of the robot arm’s movements in space. The protective fences reduce the space available for other machines and equipment. Robots from SW do not need protective fences because they do not have contact opportunities with humans. The robot gantry from SW is arranged as the seventh axis at a height of around two meters above the machining centers. It loads and unloads the machine tools from above – without the robot coming into contact with humans. Operators have an unobstructed view of the loading areas and maintenance personnel have direct access to all machine components. Additionally, the space saved by not using protective fences can be utilized for additional machines.

One robot rests while the others continue to work

The 6-axis robots installed on the gantry operate independently of each other. The robot ensures optimum material flow and short non-productive times in both independent production cells and complete production lines. Thanks to the seventh axis, the robot is able to place and remove a wide variety of fixtures and workpieces without retooling. If maintenance work or manual loading operations are being carried out on one machining center, it has no effect on the other machining centers; the robot continues the automatic loading and unloading of the other machines. This means that the productivity of the production line remains at the usual high level.

Modularly expandable at a later date

Both the gantry and the industrial robots are based on standard components and modules that are available on short notice. The 7-axis robot gantry, which is easily integrated with SW machining centers or machines from other manufacturers, can also be expanded modularly at a later date. For example, if quantities and the number of interlinked machining centers are increased. In addition, the kinematics can be easily adapted to new processes and workpieces.

Learn more about our machining centers and broad product portfolio, or contact our Technology People directly with any questions.