Having trouble selling machines? Consider pairing a cobot to load and unload
We recently met with a manufacturer of automated wood working machines. They’re complex pieces of equipment with a genuine ROI by improving quality and saving time. Seems like a slam dunk, right? Turns out that sales are slow because end customers can’t find workers to load and unload the machines themselves, so they’re unwilling to purchase.
The post-pandemic labor crisis may be old news, but it’s still a major issue. If manufacturers can find people for their plants, they’re generally not interested in dull machine tending tasks…or not interested for very long! As a result, companies are putting off new capital equipment purchases, even with a solid ROI, because they have no one to operate them.
The woodworking machine manufacturer was curious to know if Cross could help with integrating a collaborative robot to their machine to reduce the number of people it took to operate.
Absolutely! Machine tending is a really good application for cobots, as it’s generally the same motion over and over again. Cross can integrate the controls of the robot with the machine to automatically prompt loading and unloading. Best of all, by using a collaborative robot, humans can work in the same space. The robot can also be re-deployed when necessary.
If you’re hearing the same thing from your customers that our woodworking machine OEM is, consider working with Cross to offer a cobot paired with your machine to load and unload. You’ll not only solve a problem for your customer but you’re likely to sell more machines, too!
What's New at Cross
Clippard Case Study: Welding machinery OEM improves efficiency by 90%
Cross partner Clippard recently worked with an OEM of welding machinery to improve their machine performance and the efficiency of their system. The welding system consumed over 100W of power, leading to customer complaints about the high cost of operating them. It also wasted expensive gases due to poor leak rate performance.
Clippard designed a comprehensive solution of valves and sensors which improved the system’s energy efficiency by 90%, lowered the cost of operation and reduced the weight and size by 50%. Read the full case study here.
Cross Automation’s application engineers work with OEMs and end users to improve their machines on a daily basis. Get in touch today to see how we can help you!
Actuators for Harsh, Caustic and Clean Environments
In industrial machinery and automation, actuators are crucial for providing motion in automated equipment. However, these vital components frequently endure harsh conditions that can affect their performance and longevity.
Cross partner Rotomation develops their actuators with features designed to enhance their longevity and smooth operation. Their solutions for washdown applications, clean rooms and caustic applications are not only innovative, but they’re also available as options for most of their products.
Need a stainless steel actuator for the pinnacle of chemical resistance? Rotomation has you covered and you can even specify the type of steel to use.
Did you know?
Testing Manually? Consider an Automated Custom Test Machine
Product testing plays a critical role in ensuring quality, reliability and performance for OEMs. If you’re testing finished machines manually, you may benefit from an automated test machine created specifically to your test procedure. Cross’s engineering team will review your existing internal, ISO, or ASTM test procedure and work with you to develop a machine to automate the process. Our custom test machines will also collect test data so that you can make decisions in real-time to improve your manufacturing process.
Cross Provides Tangible Value for You
Raise Quality
Proportional pressure control valves are essential to control and compensate for dynamic variations in supply pressure.
Cross partner AVENTICS recently launched their Series 625 Sentronic proportional pressure control valves. With a control deviation of less than 0.5%, the new valves are designed to deliver highly accurate, electronic proportional pressure control and provide the flexibility needed to support sophisticated pneumatic control engineering applications.
Improve Efficiency
Designing automation for the food processing industry? Cross partner Bishop-Wisecarver’s patented DualVee® guide wheels are designed with the food industry in mind.
Their V-shaped design is self-cleaning, creating a wiping effect to clear away debris and prevent build-up. This unique design also maintains grease, extending wheel life. The rails, with their complementary V shape, reduces friction and frequent maintenance, thereby reducing machine downtime.
Watch all five reasons why DualVee® guide wheels are an essential choice for ensuring smooth, reliable operations while meeting the strictest hygiene standards.
Improve Efficiency
With increasing levels of automation on the plant floor, gripping components must be both flexible and easily networked. The new EGU universal gripper from Cross partner Schunk has a long stroke and integrated gripping force maintenance, to reliably load or unload rough or finished parts of different sizes. It has a sealed design which can stand up to harsh temperatures or contaminants in the environment.
