Siemens expands SINUMERIK Run MyRobot CNC platform

Siemens announced an automation offering for the multi-tasking, small to mid-sized machine shop, combining a digital twin of the software and programming of its SINUMERIK 828 CNC, working in tandem with a KUKA robot, to simplify the operation and programming in part handling for the machine tool operator. 

The companies said that they brought the concept to life at a recent tradeshow, as KUKA demonstrated the same control and its robot working in tandem with a SYIL vertical milling machine.

The machine featured the SYIL R1 machine-tending automation package, developed with one of KUKA’s System Partners, Waybo, which integrates the pick-and-place, part articulation and communications with the CNC onboard.

Simplifying robotics through the CNC

Only a decade ago, Siemens said that the integration of a robot with a machine tool required a separate learning curve for the shop, as robotics required special programming and teach-in communications, a separate pendant for operation, and other challenges that often required outside consultants to implement.

For small and mid-sized machine shops, Siemens said that this barrier, combined with the cost, resulted in today’s market condition, where less than a quarter of the smaller job shops in America today utilize automation and especially robotics in their workday.

“The benefits of this development for the busy job shop are many,” said Tiansu Jing, product manager, SINUMERIK CNC systems. “Setup, programming, operator interface and diagnostics are all improved with the SINUMERIK Run MyRobot /Handling application, as it easily incorporates the KUKA robot with the SYIL machine tool.”

From complexity to clarity

Siemens said that the teach-in functions are implemented through the SINUMERIK Operate HMI system on the control, while the proprietary SINUMERIK Run MyRobot /Handling capability of the CNC integrates with the KUKA robot control. The SINUMERIK control’s HMI is used to operate both the machine tool and the robot tender, with all commands and operating conditions displayed on a single screen. 

“The 828 is scaled to the functionality of the standard machines sold to the smaller job shops,” Jing said. “With Run MyRobot /Handling included, programmers can use the same G-code for the robot and the machine tool.”

Siemens said that the SINUMERIK 828D CNC utilized in this application is designed for the job shop market’s use of turning centers, milling machines and Vertical Machining Centers (VMCs), but it also offers machine builders and end-users the flexibility to enhance the productivity of those machines with this new robotic automation, integrated directly into the control.

“We saw a resident robotic talent gap as well as price resistance in the smaller machine shop sector and decided we needed to pursue a solution,” said Philip Peloso, business development manager for machine tool automation at KUKA. “We turned to our Official System Partner, Waybo, presenting them with the facts. This solution would be an entry-level venture, addressing the 75% of the job shops who currently have no robotic automation on their floors. We sought to present them an easy-to-use, robust system that allowed quick changeover for the busy shop doing multiple jobs or families of parts during the day.”

Siemens-KUKA-SYIL partnership enables real-world use

KUKA and Siemens have a long-standing partnership. Siemens touted that this combined support in the field would bring a further benefit to the technology. Once developed, this new system was presented to SYIL, who adopted it as their SYIL R1 solution for the job shop market.

“We have recently partnered with titans of CNC to market our machines here, and we feature the SINUMERIK 828D CNC on most of our equipment,” said Wesley Wang, managing director, North America, for SYIL. “It offers great motion control, monitoring and communications capability, plus the onboard capacity to engage machine tending robotics, which opens the 24/7 running option to our customers in ways they have not imagined in the past.”

To learn more about this partnership and technological development, click here.