24 | MACHINING | Automation & Robotics
Quebec job shop meets
with success on its first
foray into robotics
BY KIP
HANSON
Robotics are an accepted and necessary part of several manufacturing industries.
Automakers use them to assemble,
weld, and paint more than 60 million
vehicles each year. Electronics
producers use them to pick and place
components, perform in-process
inspection, and package finished
goods. Without robots, production
of cars and many consumer goods
would stall, and their costs skyrocket.
Why then are these important tools so
underutilized in machine shops?
An outdated paradigm
Part of the reason is that robots are
often perceived as inflexible, high
volume solutions, suitable only for
dedicated production. Even for those
who understand the benefits robotics
bring to a job shop environment,
Plug and Play Profitability
www.shopmetaltech.com NOVEMBER 2016
THE PROBLEM
Lack of skilled machinists
hinders company growth
THE SOLUTION
Implement an intelligent
robotic part handling solution
The PartNR
machine tool
tending cell in
Précinov's facility.
Robotics has helped
Précinov improve shop
floor productivity.