Absolute Machine Tools Offers New Automation Package

Kurt Workholding’s distribution partner, Absolute Machine Tools, has created an automation package featuring a Mitsubishi LoadMate Plus, Kurt 3600A Pneumatic Vise and Kurt RV36 Robotic Gripper working in tandem with a Tongtai VP-10 mass-production high-speed vertical machining center. The package is designed to be a simple way to incorporate automation into a shop’s production.

The Mitsubishi LoadMate Plus Machine Tending Robotic Cell was a collaboration between Absolute Machine Tools and Mitsubishi Electric. “Absolute is very excited to have this opportunity to collaborate with Mitsubishi Electric to design and build the new LoadMate Plus robotic automation cell. In fact, we are currently the only distributor able to sell the LoadMate Plus because it hasn’t been formally introduced to all distribution channels across the U.S. market,” said Courtney Ortner, Absolute Machine Tools Director of Marketing. The LoadMate Plus is designed to be a “plug & play” machine-tending robotic cell.

The Tongtai VP-10 has X, Y, and Z axis travels of 40.2" × 20.1" × 23.6" (1021 mm × 510 mm × 600 mm). High power servo motors produce 1,890 IPM (48 m/min) in X and Y and 1,417 ipm (36 m/min) in Z. Acceleration in X, Y, and Z is 1.18 G, 1.0 G, 0.7 G, respectively. It comes with a 10,000-rpm, 20-hp direct drive spindle and tool changer that can hold as many as 30 tools. The standard Mitsubishi M80A control features a 10.4" (265 mm) touch screen.

Also featured in the demo package is the Kurt 3600A VersatileLock pneumatic vise and RV36 Robotic Gripper, which is designed for precision clamping. 

Absolute Machine Tool customers can purchase Kurt Vises and RV36 Grippers as part of a package with the Tongtai VP-10 and Mitsubishi LoadMate Plus. The LoadMate Plus also packages as a stand-alone robot cell using an RV-8 Mitsubishi robot.