CNC Automation System
CNC Automation System
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Developed a system to load and unload stock material and finished parts to allow for autonomous CNC machining
Developed a system to load and unload stock material and finished parts to allow for autonomous CNC machining
Earlier CAD model of clamping pallet
Custom clamp CNC machined
Custom machined pallet
The first step of this project was to design a pallet to hold stock material. A Pierson Workholding pallet was used as the base, and I machined out channels to allow coolant and chips to flow out and keep the mounting surface clean during operation. The clamps themselves were designed in Fusion 360, and within Fusion I performed fine element analysis on them to maximize clamping force and structural strength.
The first step of this project was to design a pallet to hold stock material. A Pierson Workholding pallet was used as the base, and I machined out channels to allow coolant and chips to flow out and keep the mounting surface clean during operation. The clamps themselves were designed in Fusion 360, and within Fusion I performed fine element analysis on them to maximize clamping force and structural strength.
CAD model of gripper system
Initial assembly of gripper system
Pneumatic plumbing of gripper pistons
The second phase of this project was to design and construct a gripper system. The goal was to design a system that could pick up an individual plate of stock material from a stack within the CNC machine, place it on the previously made pallet for machining, then remove it and drop it into a 'finished parts' bin. To achieve this, I used Fusion 360 to assemble hardware to be purchased from McMaster-Carr, and a combination of 3D printed and CNC machined custom parts. The system is powered by pneumatic pistons, using the CNC machine's built-in compressed air supply.
The second phase of this project was to design and construct a gripper system. The goal was to design a system that could pick up an individual plate of stock material from a stack within the CNC machine, place it on the previously made pallet for machining, then remove it and drop it into a 'finished parts' bin. To achieve this, I used Fusion 360 to assemble hardware to be purchased from McMaster-Carr, and a combination of 3D printed and CNC machined custom parts. The system is powered by pneumatic pistons, using the CNC machine's built-in compressed air supply.
Model of full system with plate stack and collection bin
Wiring of switch box and solenoids
Installation of gripper system in CNC machine
Before installing the system in a real CNC machine, I had to carefully plan the location of each element in CAD to avoid crashes, and to conform to the machine's travel range. Each piston had a solenoid controlling it, which I wired into a 3D printed switch box for manual control, and relays on the machine's motherboard. This allowed me to use G-Code to write programs to test the functionality and reliability of the system.
Before installing the system in a real CNC machine, I had to carefully plan the location of each element in CAD to avoid crashes, and to conform to the machine's travel range. Each piston had a solenoid controlling it, which I wired into a 3D printed switch box for manual control, and relays on the machine's motherboard. This allowed me to use G-Code to write programs to test the functionality and reliability of the system.
Project Demo:
Project Demo:
The video below is my system running a program used for reliability testing which simulates several repeated work cycles. Firstly the machine positions the gripper above the stack of stock plates. The gripper then lowers on to the stack and closes on the top plate. The plate is raised slightly, then compressed air is blown across its bottom surface. This breaks a suction force caused by the machine's liquid coolant that can make several plates stick together. The gripper then fully retracts, and moves into position over the pallet. The plate is lowered and clamped down by the pallet, and the gripper is retracted. At this point, the machine would proceed with its cutting program. Once the part is finished, the gripper grabs the plate once more, and the pallet clamps release. Finally, the gripper moves to the 'finished parts' basket and drops off the machined plate. This cycle repeats for a set amount of times defined by the user in the code, or if the gripper passes below the pre-determined safe height.
The video below is my system running a program used for reliability testing which simulates several repeated work cycles. Firstly the machine positions the gripper above the stack of stock plates. The gripper then lowers on to the stack and closes on the top plate. The plate is raised slightly, then compressed air is blown across its bottom surface. This breaks a suction force caused by the machine's liquid coolant that can make several plates stick together. The gripper then fully retracts, and moves into position over the pallet. The plate is lowered and clamped down by the pallet, and the gripper is retracted. At this point, the machine would proceed with its cutting program. Once the part is finished, the gripper grabs the plate once more, and the pallet clamps release. Finally, the gripper moves to the 'finished parts' basket and drops off the machined plate. This cycle repeats for a set amount of times defined by the user in the code, or if the gripper passes below the pre-determined safe height.
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
Email: cpmorgan03@outlook.com
Phone: 774-281-2847
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