feature If at fi rst you don’t succeed, automate again… Machine-tending robots are often key components used to enable unattend- ed or lights-out machining operations, adding capacity by taking advantage of time that’s currently unused, like nights and weekends. In many cases, robot integration enables shop fl oor employees that were previously load- ing and unloading parts from machines to perform duties of greater value. Plus, today’s robots are faster and more intelligent than in years past and are also becoming increasingly viable for small-batch/high-mix production. In addition, collaborative robots, or “cobots,” use sensor technology that enables them to function safely along- side humans in a shared work environ- ment. That means no more isolating fencing is needed to separate worker and robot. Alexandria Industries struggled with its fi rst robotic machining cell. However, the alumi- num extrusion components manufacturer —now with more than 20 robots— discovered that by simplifying and standardizing its automa- tion strategy, it could reap the benefi ts of unat- Alexandria Industries stumbled on its fi rst attempt at adding a robot to tend machinetended machining even for relatively low batch tools. Now, it has more than 20 robots, including collaborative robots or “cobots” that ena-sizes. On one hand, Alexandria Industries‘ fi rst ble machine operators to safely work alongside them without being separated by fencing.attempt at machine-tending robotics was Rosie. Source: Alexandria Industries On the other, it was not so rosy. 8 N° 5 – Septembre 2019