CNC turning and milling
Loads raw material and removes machined parts in repetitive cycles.
Manufacturing automation
Robots for machine tending
A cobot or industrial robot can load and unload workpieces on a CNC machine, press or other production machine. Compare models on reach, payload, gripper and safety set-up.
The application at a glance
Start with the work process
Compare the tasks below with your workplace. Capabilities vary by model, setup and supervision.
- Workpiece supply
- Machine and gripper
- Safe unloading
What does this robot do?
In machine tending, a robot places a workpiece in a machine and removes it again after the cycle. This can be done with CNC turning, milling, pressing and injection moulding. The robot arm is only one part of the solution: gripper, workpiece supply, machine door, controls and safety determine whether the cell works reliably.
Schematic: each drawing shows a type of robot, not a specific model.
What is this solution used for?
Pressing
Moves workpieces between infeed, press and outfeed with suitable guarding.
Injection moulding
Takes suitable products out of the machine and places them for inspection or packaging.
Multiple machines
One robot cell can sometimes serve several machines if reach and cycle times allow it.
When does automation become interesting?
Use these signals as a starting point for research, not as a guarantee of a result.
- Many repeated machine cycles
- Workpieces can be grasped reproducibly
- Machine operation needs few exception decisions
- Operators spend much time on loading and unloading
Which approach fits the task?
Cobot
Can be interesting for smaller series and changeovers. Working alongside people requires a risk assessment here too.
Industrial robot
Can be suitable for higher speed or heavier loads, often with a clearly guarded work cell.
Robots for this application
Linked on the basis of the recorded application and robot type. Check the suitability for your process per model.
ABB
GoFa
Cobots · Machine tending
Payload: 5 to 12 kg
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Delta Electronics
D-Bot series
Cobots · Machine tending
Payload: 6 to 30 kg (depending on model)
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DOBOT
CR10
Cobots · Machine tending
Payload: 10 kg
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Doosan Robotics
A-serie
Cobots · Machine tending
Payload: 5 to 9 kg
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Doosan Robotics
M-serie
Cobots · Machine tending
Payload: 6 to 15 kg
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Doosan Robotics
H-serie
Cobots · Machine tending
Payload: 20 to 25 kg
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DUCO Robots
GCR series (GCR3 to GCR25)
Cobots · Machine tending
Payload: 3 to 25 kg (depending on model)
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Epson
AX6
Cobots · Machine tending
Payload: 6 kg
View robotAll models by name
AUBO Robotics i series (i3 to i20)Elite Robots CS series (CS66, CS612, CS620)Elite Robots CS630Elite Robots CS66Fairino FR series (FR3 to FR30)FANUC CR-15iAFANUC CR-35iBFANUC CR-7iA/LFANUC CRX-10iAFANUC CRX-10iA Food GradeFANUC CRX-10iA/LFANUC CRX-10iA/L Food GradeFANUC CRX-20/14AFANUC CRX-20iA/LFANUC CRX-20iA/L Food GradeFANUC CRX-30/18AFANUC CRX-30iAFANUC CRX-30iA Food GradeFANUC CRX-3iAFANUC CRX-5iAFANUC CRX-5iA Food GradeHuayan Robotics S30Huayan Robotics S60Integra Robotics P3-R600JAKA Robotics Pro 16Kassow Robots KR series (KR810, KR1018, KR1205)Kassow Robots KR1240Kawasaki Robotics duAroKUKA LBR iisyKUKA LBR iisy 11 R1300KUKA LBR iisy 15 R930KUKA LBR iisy 3 R760KUKA LBR iisy 6 R1300KUKA LBR iisy 8 R930KUKA LBR iiwa 7 R800 en 14 R820Mitsubishi Electric MELFA ASSISTANachi MZS05NEURA Robotics LARANEURA Robotics MAiRANeuromeka Indy series (Indy7, Indy12)Productive Robotics OB7 series (Stretch, Max 8, Max 12, Max 16)Productive Robotics OB7 StretchRainbow Robotics RB-serieRethink Robotics SawyerRozum Robotics RC10Rozum Robotics RC5Standard Bots RO1Stäubli TX2touchTechman Robot TM S-serieTechman Robot TM12Techman Robot TM16Techman Robot TM5, TM14 en TM20Universal Robots UR10eUniversal Robots UR15Universal Robots UR16eUniversal Robots UR20Universal Robots UR5eYaskawa HC-serieYaskawa Motoman HC10DTPYaskawa Motoman HC20DTP
Suppliers for this application
These suppliers are linked to the robot models shown. Check delivery area, integration and service directly with the supplier.
What does implementation require?
The robot choice follows from the workplace and the process. Discuss these points before comparing models.
- 01
Measure workpiece weight, grip points and required reach.
- 02
Check cycle duration, machine interface and door operation.
- 03
Design safe infeed, outfeed and error handling.
- 04
Decide who changes programs when products change and who maintains the cell.
Explore further
Questions about manufacturing automation
What is machine tending with a robot?
A robot places workpieces in a machine and takes them out again after machining.
Is a cobot always suitable for CNC machine tending?
No. Weight, reach, cycle duration, chips, coolant and safety may call for a different set-up.
Does the CNC machine need to be modified?
An interface for start, stop, status and door operation is often needed. The exact modification differs per machine.
Which gripper is needed?
That depends on the shape, dimensions, surface and weight of the workpiece. An integrator can test this.
Can one robot serve several machines?
Sometimes, if reach, layout and cycle times make it possible. This requires a process design per site.
Compare solutions for your situation
Start with the task and then test model, supplier and implementation.