Scoop for Coronam: first HALTER TurnStacker BIG 70

Plug and play automation for heavier workpieces 

Flexibility and more unmanned hours in turning heavier workpieces: that's what Mechanical Industry Coronam B.V. was looking for. The supplier found the solution in the HALTER TurnStacker BIG 70. It is the first of this new type of robotic loader from HALTER CNC Automation. Loading from stacking stations in the HALTER provides additional flexibility.

Coronam in Zaandam machines a wide range of products: from 4 mm round to 1000 mm round. Series range from 10 to 500 pieces. "An occasional 1500 pieces, but usually much less," says Ronald Engel, Technical Director. Because Coronam does a lot of machining for the petro, oil and gas industry in addition to the mechanical engineering and food industries, materials such as Hasteloy, Inconel and Duplex regularly come onto the machine, especially for the heavier workpieces. "For the heavier pieces, we were looking for a solution to allow for more unmanned spindle hours."

Up to 70 kilograms

HALTER CNC Automation introduced the HALTER TurnStacker BIG 70 shown for the first time. This loading system was developed for companies that want to automate CNC turning of heavier pieces and have the flexibility due to short changeover times. Depending on the workpiece weight, the robot can handle one workpiece of 50 kilograms or two of 25 kilograms. In the latter case, the gripper already takes the raw material when the machined product is removed. Coronam has also chosen the pallet loading option. The operator chooses between loading from the stacking station (on which the products are stacked up to 300 mm round) or from a plastic pallet with grid plate (Europallet format). This pallet has a fixed position in front of the machine thanks to the integrated zero-point tension system. This makes programming as easy as with the stacking station. "The pallet loading makes us even more flexible. Depending on the shape and height of the workpiece, we can put more products on a pallet. We can stack up to about one meter high," explains Ronald Engel. You can design the grid plate yourself based on the product dimensions. On the standard stacking station, workpieces up to a maximum height of 600 mm can be stacked.

HALTER TurnStacker BIG 70kg

Less strenuous work

It was quickly apparent to Coronam's operators that the loading system of HALTER CNC Automation for their products offers the most potential. In practice, the Turnstacker BIG 70 not only provides more unmanned production hours. The loading system also makes the operators' work less strenuous. The robot trusses the heavy workpieces faster than the operator, because the operator often has to use the crane. "And the robot doesn't make mistakes," adds Ronald Engel. "We have to get everything right in the preliminary stages, though." In the setup with pallet loading, the HALTER TurnStacker BIG 70 is shielded on one side with a fence. "Otherwise, the robot's sensor reacts to the operator when he wants to reach his control panel to prepare for the next job," Ronald Engel explains.

Switching between two machines

At the machine factory in Zaandam, the HALTER TurnStacker BIG 70 to an Okuma Macturn 550 CNC lathe. "Depending on the product and the operations, we can go unmanned for about five or six hours," says the production manager about the first experiences with the new loading system. Coronam deploys the robotic cell both during the day and at night. During the day, one operator operates several automated machines, including a Mazak Integrex i300H loaded by a HALTER Universal 35 system. Says Ronald Engel, "We had those installed ahead of time to get used to the system while the large unit was being built." This compact robotic cell was so well liked that Coronam bought this one as well. Coronam plans to use the new automatic loading system not only on the Okuma lathe, but also on the new Doosan Puma V8300M. Once this CNC lathe is equipped with an automatic door and robotic interface, a zero-point pallet tensioning system will be installed in the floor and a forklift or crane can be used to move the TurnStacker BIG 70 from one machine to another. "Depending on what we have the robot work for," he said.