Machine tending

Machine tending is the automated servicing of industrial machine tools in manufacturing environments. The primary function of a machine-tending system is to load workpieces into CNC machining and unload finished parts after processing. In many manufacturing systems, machine-tending systems may also perform related tasks including inspection, cleaning, deburring, or packaging.

Robotic Machine Tending

Primarily a resource-planning and control problem within manufacturing systems, robotic machine tending is a coordinated interaction between manufacturing resources, such as grippers, fixtures, and machine tools, acting upon workpieces during loading and unloading operations.¹

References

Steele, Jay W.; Wysk, Richard A; Ferreira, Joao C. E. (2008). "A resource-oriented tolerance representation scheme for the planning of robotic machine tending operations in automated manufacturing systems". The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. 38 (7–8). Springer Nature: 741–756. doi:10.1007/s00170-007-1118-5.

[1] Steele, Jay W.; Wysk, Richard A; Ferreira, Joao C. E. (2008). "A resource-oriented tolerance representation scheme for the planning of robotic machine tending operations in automated manufacturing systems". The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. 38 (7–8). Springer Nature: 741–756. doi:10.1007/s00170-007-1118-5.

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