Manufacturing Machinery World April 2022

THE NEXT GENERATION
FANUC BRINGS AUTOMATED CNC MILLING
TO THE EDUCATION MARKET
New FANUC educational package combines
ROBODRILL machining centre with CRX-
10iA collaborative robot
Schools, colleges, universities,
independent training centres and OEM
training facilities can all benefit from a new
FANUC educational package that combines
the company’s machine tool and
collaborative robot technologies. Developed
in tandem with a number of leading industry
partners, the ROBODRILL Educational Cell
brings automated CNC milling to the
training marketplace at competitive price
point.
FANUC has long believed that investing
in the next generation will be key to
increasing uptake of automation in the UK.
Most recently, the company sponsored the
Industrial Robotics Final of WorldSkills UK,
allowing aspiring engineers to work handson
with real FANUC industrial robots. In an
effort to continue this level of support for
young apprentices, FANUC is launching its
latest educational package, combining a
ROBODRILL vertical machining centre with
a CRX-10iA collaborative robot.
Hands-on experience
Designed with students in mind, the
ROBODRILL Educational Cell enables
trainees to gain hands-on experience in
programming and operating CNC machine
tools, as well as cutting-edge robots. The
package content is highly relevant for
modern factory applications and contains
everything instructors require for teaching
purposes.
Previous FANUC educational packages
have been based on stand-alone industrial
robot and collaborative robot technologies.
The addition of a CNC vertical machining
centre in the new package allows trainees to
experience automated component
manufacture, from the arrival of raw billets
to the unloading of a completed workpiece,
all driven by ISO-based programming via
FANUC’s high-end 31i-B5 CNC system. In
fact, the package is a state-of-the-art Industry
4.0 production cell, complete with Ethernet
ports and Ethernet software support as
standard.
Five-axis machining
FANUC’s proven ROBODRILL offers fiveaxis
simultaneous milling across travel
distances of 500 x 400 x 330 mm in the three
linear axes (X, Y and Z). A Lehmann five-axis
table provides the tilt and rotate axes (A and
C), while an automatic tool changer readyloaded
with 21 tools serves a BBT30, 10,000
rpm spindle. Advanced machine functions
include Tilted Working Plane (TWP) for 3+2
machining, High Speed Smooth (TCP) for
machining a plane with the side of a tool
using centre-point control, and AICC-2 200
Blocks Look Ahead for enhanced contour
control.
To provide a complete learning
experience, the ROBODRILL comes with a
Renishaw OMP40-2 optical transmission
probe and Renishaw OTS table-mounted
optical tool setter. The machine also includes
Renishaw’s AxiSet Check-Up, which offers
an easy and reliable way of analysing the
performance of rotary axes and for
identifying problems caused by incorrect
machine set-up, collisions or wear.
To help with training, the all-inclusive
package comes complete with an NC
program for a defined workpiece, a vice to
suit the component, five dedicated cutting
tools and five tool holder, with raw
aluminium provided by FANUC. The
package also features a GoPro Hero 9
waterproof action camera for internal
visibility (via Wi-Fi connection), ensuring
this plug-and-play solution is ready to use
straight from the box. A further inclusion is
FANUC’s CNC Guide Academic Package -
intelligent PC simulator software that is ideal
for both individual and group training.
As a point of note, those investing in the
new package (premium or basic) will receive
a 60-month ROBODRILL warranty.
Collaborative working
Complementing the ROBODRILL machining
centre is the CRX-10iA collaborative robot,
which offers a reach of 1249 mm and a 10 kg
maximum payload. As the name suggests,
collaborative robots can work safely
alongside humans, coming to a safe and
immediate stop in event of a contact.
A single cable provides a communications
link between the CRX robot and the
ROBODRILL vertical machining centre.
Among the many advantages of selecting
FANUC technology to deliver educational
solutions is that the company manufactures
machine tools, robots and CNC units, thus
facilitating seamless system integration.
Rich package content
The creation of FANUC’s new ROBODRILL
Educational Cell has received extensive
support from a number of selected industry
partners that also recognise the need to help
prepare young people for a career in modern,
automated industrial workplaces. Aside
from the aforementioned Lehmann,
Renishaw and GoPro, these partners include
Big Daishowa (tool holders), Schunk (vices)
and Mitsubishi (DIAEDGE cutting tools).
The world of component machining needs an
ongoing source of new talent, which is why
so many industry leaders have pooled their
expertise in making this innovative
educational tool available at a highly
attractive price point.
About FANUC
The FANUC Corporation is one of the
worldwide leaders in factory automation for
CNC control systems, robots and production
machinery (ROBODRILL, ROBOCUT,
ROBOSHOT and ROBONANO). Since 1956,
FANUC is the pioneer in the development of
numerically controlled machines in the
automation industry. With 271 FANUC
locations worldwide and more than 8,200
employees, FANUC offers a dense network
in sales, technical support, research &
development, logistics and customer service.
www.fanuc.eu
12 Manufacturing Machinery World, April 2022