Hillary Machinery supplies automated machining centers with automatic pallet changers (APCs) designed to increase spindle utilization and reduce non-cutting time. While one pallet is being machined, the next workpiece can be loaded on a waiting pallet, helping manufacturers support continuous production, faster changeovers and more productive use of labor.
Automated machining centers use pallet-changing and other automation technologies to reduce the amount of time a CNC machine sits idle between parts or setups. One of the most common configurations is an automatic pallet changer (APC), which allows one workpiece to be machined while another pallet is being loaded or prepared.
By separating part loading from spindle cutting time, automated machining centers can improve machine utilization, reduce setup-related downtime and support more continuous production.
An automatic pallet changer allows the machine to exchange the pallet inside the machining area with a second prepared pallet. While the CNC is machining one workpiece, the operator can fixture, inspect or prepare the next part outside the cutting zone.
When the machining cycle is complete, the machine exchanges pallets and can begin the next cycle with less interruption than a conventional load-unload process.
Automated pallet-changing systems are particularly useful when setup or loading time represents a meaningful portion of the overall manufacturing cycle.
On a conventional machining center, the spindle may remain idle while an operator removes the completed part, cleans the work area, loads the next workpiece and verifies the setup.
With an APC-equipped machining center, much of that preparation can occur on a second pallet while the machine continues cutting. The value of the pallet changer increases as machining cycle time, setup complexity and production volume increase.
Horizontal machining centers are frequently paired with pallet-changing systems because their configuration is well suited to production machining, multi-sided part processing and high spindle utilization.
Palletized HMCs can allow workpieces to be prepared outside the machining area while another component is being processed.
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Vertical machining centers can also use pallet-changing systems to reduce loading and setup delays. This can be especially valuable in production applications where the machine performs longer machining cycles and the next workpiece can be prepared while the spindle remains productive.
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Hillary Machinery offers Hyundai WIA machining centers in configurations designed for production machining and palletized automation.
Machine selection should be based on the workpiece, pallet size, required travel, spindle performance, tool capacity, production volume and overall manufacturing process.
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An automatic pallet changer is one form of machine-tool automation, but palletized machining can also be combined with robots and other material handling systems when the production application justifies additional automation.
Hillary Machinery provides CNC machine tools along with robotic integration capabilities for manufacturers seeking to increase productive spindle hours and reduce repetitive operator handling.
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An APC should be considered when the time required to unload, reload, fixture or prepare the next part is significant relative to the machining cycle.
Typical applications include:
Selecting an automated machining center requires evaluating the complete manufacturing process rather than simply specifying an APC.
Hillary Machinery can help evaluate factors including:
An automated machining center is a CNC machine equipped with technology designed to reduce manual loading, setup or part-handling time. An automatic pallet changer is one of the most common forms of machining-center automation.
An automatic pallet changer, or APC, exchanges the pallet inside the machine with another pallet that has been prepared outside the machining area. This allows the next workpiece to be loaded while the current part is being machined.
An APC does not necessarily make the cutting operation itself faster. Its primary benefit is reducing non-cutting time between machining cycles, which can increase overall spindle utilization and production output.
No. Pallet-changing systems are common on horizontal machining centers, but automated pallet systems are also available on vertical and other machining center configurations.
Pallet-changing automation can support extended or unattended production, but true unattended operation also depends on tool life, chip management, part inspection, workholding, material handling and process reliability.
Yes. Depending on machine configuration and production requirements, robots and other material-handling systems can be integrated with automated machining processes to further reduce manual handling.
Hillary Machinery can help evaluate your cycle time, pallet requirements, workpiece size, spindle needs, tooling, fixtures and production goals to determine whether an automated machining center with an APC is the right solution.
View Available Automated Machining Centers or contact Hillary Machinery to discuss your production application.
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