Robot Arms

[Flycut]

If anyone has any experience or insight on robotic arms.
I have a simple lathe in my garage with a bar feeder that has served me very well.
It runs lights out 24/7 as long as I have a one op job for it.
Lately I've been trying To find more work for it but I'm losing the jobs that require 2 ops because I don't want to spend my entire weekends feeding the machine by hand. I still have a full time job 50H/week.
If I could have a robot feed op 2 I could bid on more jobs.
I don't need it to be fully CNC compatible. I could have the arm simply push cycle-start on the control.
I have a 15k budget but I'm having a hard time identifying if any of them are worth the price tag.
I mean there is everything from 200$ toy to 80k industrial arms.
I don't need much. Just 3lbs lift with 2 foot reach.
Any suggestions?

[Here's Johnny!]

Not an expert but there is a difference between a "robot" and a "cobot"....

[CNCAppsJames]

...
If I could have a robot feed op 2 I could bid on more jobs.
I don't need it to be fully CNC compatible. I could have the arm simply push cycle-start on the control.
I have a 15k budget ... Just 3lbs lift with 2 foot reach.
Any suggestions?

$15k won't even pay for integration. Not that you aren't capable, you mentioned having a day job, integration, especially the 1st one IS gonna be a day job. Wiring will be the easy part.

With a cobot though, you could absolutely program it to press the open door button, open the door, position to the part, grip the part, unclamp the chuck, pull part out, rotate the part 180, push the part back in, clamp the chuck, position away from the part, close the door, press the cycle start button. Rinse repeat.

[CNCAppsJames]

Not an expert but there is a difference between a "robot" and a "cobot".... 

Robot... think FANUC LR, LR-Mate, ABB, Staubili, etc...
Cobot... think UR, FANUC CRX, etc...

[neurosis]

[Here's Johnny!]

@Incogneeto is going to get jealous....I am sure he has one of these!!!!

[Flycut]

I'll start looking at cobots.
Ty

[Jeff]

I'll start looking at cobots.
Ty

That gif sold you on it eh?  lol

[Flycut]

I'll be spending more time in the garage.

[Incogneeto]

@Incogneeto is going to get jealous....I am sure he has one of these!!!!

I own the GripMaster 3000 Model 9" 

13 speeds so I can replicate each of my ex-wives.   

It's voice activated. With Edging Control.

[Jeff]

Model 9"

Don't you mean 9cm?

[SuperHoneyBadger]

Don't you mean 9cm?

Oh yea, baby... it's a whole DECIMETER long, you better be ready!

[Incogneeto]

Don't you mean 9cm?

It's American made.

I suggested the ShaftMaster VIII for Fudd with The "FITA" software.

He can upgrade to the RIM software.   

[Incogneeto]

How did Michigan do Saturday??

I was watching the Oregon game.

[YoDoug]

We have ABB, Doosan, and UR robots here. I have also worked with Kuka and Fanuc robots in the past. I am currently setting up robot number 17 here (in 7.5years). I won't tell you I'm the expert, but I've spent some time building robot loaded lathe cells as we have 12 of them here. I am glad to help If I can answer any questions for you.

Look on Ebay for used industrial robots. There are a lot of robots under $15k. You are probably going to want to stick to a cobot so you don't have to do all the guarding and safety crap. A month or so ago we almost bought the biggest ABB cobot for $20K off ebay, but we ended up getting a UR robot instead.