FANUC expands drilling tech with new Robodrill series

FANUC has launched its latest ROBODRILL series – the strongest and quickest range of vertical machining centres on the market.

The a-DiB5 series represents its latest automated vertical machining technology for milling, drilling and tapping applications, incorporating network interface, preventative maintenance and machine learning capabilities, alongside FANUC’s industry-leading CNC drives and servos.

It includes six re-designed models in small, medium and large sizes, with standard or advanced functionality available. The series is suitable for both short production runs and mass production.

Andrew Armstrong, Marketing Manager at FANUC UK, said: “The launch of our latest range for ROBODRILL is an exciting step-up for FANUC’s automated vertical machining capabilities. As well as incorporating the high-repeatability and accuracy for which FANUC is widely recognised, this series offers unprecedented capabilities within Industry 4.0 and machine tending.

“As standard, FANUC’s latest ROBODRILL range also comes equipped with intelligent cutting capabilities, allowing all models to achieve the same results as more powerful machines, in less time.”

Each a-DiB5 machine is designed for minimal maintenance, thanks to a robust build quality, low number of parts, and a turret capable of handling tools of up to 4kg. The likelihood of machine faults or unexpected downtime is also reduced, thanks to the ROBODRILL’s rugged cast cross table, dynamic BBT30 spindle (with speeds between 10,000 and 24,000 rpm), and multiple swarf evacuation options.

The range can achieve cut-to-cut speeds of 1.5 seconds for standard models and 1.3 seconds for the advanced. The advanced model also holds the quickest tool change time on the market, taking 0.7 seconds to change between up to 21 different tools.

Armstrong added: “The a-DiB5 series offers manufacturers and subcontractors unprecedented access to high-speed, reliable and accurate automated production. You don’t need to compromise on floor space either: machining can be spread across several ROBODRILLs, instead of relying on a dedicated transfer machine. Its high-quality finishing capabilities also mean that no additional machining centres are required.”

In addition to the latest hardware capabilities, the a-DiB5 series integrates Industry 4.0-compatible software for 24-hour, unmanned machining. The ROBODRILL communicates easily with FANUC robots for machine tending, while preventative maintenance and AI capabilities warn of and, in some cases, prevent, potential issues before they occur.

This is achieved through Linki, FANUC’s production management software. Linki allows the seamless capture of productions data, operations results, status monitoring and diagnostics. ROBODRILLs can be connected to a central server, along with other FANUC CNC-controlled products, which enables real-time monitoring of a local or remote factory.