Automated Concepts, Inc. (ACI) recently introduced the LEAN-Machine Unload/Load Cells which provides automation users with an economical and lowrisk means for bringing automation into a facility.

Ideally suited for handling small parts in any small or mediumsized job shop or plant, ACI’s LEAN System is equally at home in any size company looking to have a portable automation system.

Significantly less expensive than custom systems, LEANMachine Cells are ready to pull from stock and ship with no engineering required for the base system.

In designing the LEAN-Machine Unload/Load system, ACI combined three standard solutions into one platform of products consisting of three standard styles and 3 FANUC robot models for a total of 9 automated solutions. The three standard styles are:
1) The Drawer Style LEAN System for applications using precut parts or blanks that need to be machined. This style can handle parts up to 12 pounds and its configuration allows the operator manual access while the robot works from another drawer.

2) The Rotary Stack Style LEAN System for round parts that can be stacked in both the raw or machined version is ideal for those applications using a gantry to bring parts to the machine tool.

3) The Bowl-Feeder Style LEAN System is ideally suited for applications with a high volume of small parts or slugs that can’t be bar fed, this style accommodates parts up to 1pound with bowl feeder part size up to 2 inches in diameter (with some customization).