Design and fabrication of automatic loading and unloading mechanism for a job on CNC lathe

Mechanical Engineering

Industries in the recent days are concentrating on Computer Numerical Control machinery for mass production by replacing conventional ways to improve productivity and quality. However recent machine tool manufacturers are coming with solution including automatic loading and unloading to reduce fatigue of labor and reduce cycle time and increasing productivity. The automation of machine tool resulted in higher cost of machinery, hence medium scale company find difficult to invest more and it becomes difficult to upgrade the old machines that were purchased earlier. This project aims to provide a low cost automation solution to the problems faced by the company in terms of quality, quantity, time and cost. The mechanism fabricated was driven by a pneumatic circuit consisting of pneumatic actuators, DCVs, FCVs, air compressor and an FRL unit. The sequencing of the cylinders was achieved by using a PLC Ladder Logic. The solution provided resulted in reduced operator fatigue, cycle time and labor cost thereby increasing the productivity of the company.

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