Enhanced Automation Strategy for 5-Axis Vertical Machine Tools

Today's production systems face the challenge of adapting quickly to changing market conditions, which can vary from large to small volumes and from mass production to mass customization.Flexible automation meets most of these requirements and offers solutions.It brings together all the resources needed for continuous or customized production, from the supply of workpieces, fixtures, tools, NC programs and logistics plans.Pallet systems play a key role in the automation of the production process as they enable the smooth flow of workpieces between pallet storage and machining centers.In this paper, an analysis of the pallet system market was carried out, revealing that a large number of pallet systems are installed from the front of the machine.This front-facing installation makes access to the machine difficult, especially if the production system is to be adapted to frequently changing conditions.In this article we present a new approach to configuring a pallet system for vertical five-axis machining centers that further increases flexibility and adaptability.The new concept of palletization of vertical five-axis machining centers presented here is based on installing the pallet system at the rear of the machine, leaving the front of the machine free.