Couple vids of my latest Automation cell.

[YoDoug]

I finished this cell right before my knee surgery and we have been testing for a few weeks now. I grabbed a couple quick videos showing op10 load, op20 transfer, and op20 unload. Videos are not the best, my phone keeps trying to focus on the cage. The cell has 20 shelves. Each shelf can hold between 4-10 parts depending on size. part sizes can range from 1*1*.375 to 8*10*3. There are op jaws for every half inch width from 1.0 to 8.0 and 17 spots for op 20 jaws. we can essentially set up 17 different part number at one time. the system is designed to keep track of needed resources while running, rows/rack/jaws/etc so you can be changing and load new stuff in while it is working.

[RetiredRoger]

I love seeing  like this!  UTTERLY AMAZING!  GREAT JOB!!

[YoDoug]

I should note, the robot loaded vise jaw system is patented tech from Versabuilt robotics. We buy the tooling from them.

[Here's Johnny!]

Doug is ready for a cage match.....

Nice work, really cool and impressive!!!

[TylerBeer]

Great stuff Doug love seeing it

[SuperHoneyBadger]

I should note, the robot loaded vise jaw system is patented tech from Versabuilt robotics. We buy the tooling from them.

That's the "gripper is the jaws" system, yea?

PS: You've set a terribly high bar for small shops, my guy.

[YoDoug]

That's the "gripper is the jaws" system, yea?

PS: You've set a terribly high bar for small shops, my guy.

Yes, the vise jaws become the robot grippers. I have been interested in this since I first saw it at IMTS in 2018. Since then they partnered with Gosiger automation which sold quite a few systems with this gripper and now it is available as an Okuma option. I figured at this point it is a pretty proven system. So far we have been happy. We decided to go with the one fix and one swivel top jaw setup. That has been a bit of a learning curve for our designers. They are not machinist by trade and understanding clamping and cutting forces with the swivel design can be tricky on organic and odd profile parts.

[Newbeeee™]

That's the "gripper is the jaws" system, yea?

PS: You've set a terribly high bar for small shops, my guy.

Despite the Okooooma control limitations, he's doing okay

[Zoffen]

I should note, the robot loaded vise jaw system is patented tech from Versabuilt robotics. We buy the tooling from them.

This system look great for high mix production parts!

Is there any reason I couldn't copy the system and make the tooling myself? Seems like you could buy a few and then just make your own as you needed.

[YoDoug]

This system look great for high mix production parts!

Is there any reason I couldn't copy the system and make the tooling myself? Seems like you could buy a few and then just make your own as you needed.

We made some of the top jaws ourselves, however that was only when they were too long of lead-time. Pricewise, they are actually very reasonable for top jaw so we just keep buying them. We probably have 100+ sets now.

Legally speaking, The system is patented so copying it and using in your own shop is still patent infringement. That is why we bought the 32 base jaws and adapters for the Schunk vises from them. To date, we have probably bought about $30k worth of tooling form them, but the system is cranking out our parts and making us lots of money so the initial investment will be recouped in short order.

[Newbeeee™]

Legally speaking, The system is patented so copying it and using in your own shop is still patent infringement.

If they make out of 6000 Aluminium, make them out of 7000 Aluminum.
You're welcome

[Zoffen]

Legally speaking, The system is patented so copying it and using in your own shop is still patent infringement.

I think this is only actionable if you market and sell the product.

[YoDoug]

I think this is only actionable if you market and sell the product.

In our case, If we had copied all of the tooling instead of buying it, and Versabuilt could show we copied it, they could easily make claim to $30k of lost sales plus their legal fees. I don't know what dollar amount would make sense for them to do it.

As a company, we hold patents and we will pursue action if necessary. This past year some POS import operation out of Cali showed up at SEMA with Chinese knock offs of some of our patented products. We immediately had our lawyers come and hand them cease and desist letter. We also had SEMA make them remove the knock off products from their booth. For this same reason we are very respectful of other companies patents.