Good Morning,
I would like some opinions on this subject. We have implemented some automated robotic machining cells these past few years. The idea was to use really good tooling that would last all day before chipping or breaking and use robots to load/unload the CNC machines. We've been mostly successful but not fully automated. The CNC operator has to setup the machine every morning, replace inserts and tools and run full inspections on a CMM before releasing the robot for the day. The the cell run all night and we come in the morning to full carts of parts.
We never got to the phase where the robot would load and unload any CMM like the whole industry 4.0 cycle. Its a a bummer for me because I was interested in learning that side of automation.
What was done was they basically stop inspecting every part and started checking every 5 parts or whatever interval. The company is considering more automation project but I think the idea make parts good in the first place with the intent of not checking every single part off that line.
Is this level of automation and inspection something common or is this still considered "new" way of doing things? Should I be doing random full inspection audits?
