LATHE AUTOMATION

Using a bar feeder on a CNC lathe is perhaps one of the oldest automation solutions for turning operations. For decades, companies have used bar feeders to keep their spindles running and free up operators to do more meaningful tasks. Loading bar stock into the machine provides an easy way to introduce more material to the cutting spindle. Instead of cutting individual pieces and hand-loading them into the machine one at a time, a bar feeder automatically advances the material through the spindle so the next part can be made. Once complete, the lathe simply cuts off the finished part and advances new material to repeat the cycle. Using a bar feeder is a great way to maximize your spindle uptime.

The Haas Bar Feeder V2 is a shorter bar loader that takes up less floorspace than traditional 12 ft (3.5 m) bar feeders. Simply cut your long bar into shorter 4 ft (1.2 m) lengths to maximize your floorspace utilization. The Bar Feeder V2 handles material from 0.375 to 3 inches (10 - 76 mm) in diameter, and can accommodate different length pieces of bar up to 48" (1.2 m) to ensure you get the most out of each piece. The Bar Feeder V2 can be packaged with simple two-axis lathes as a first-op automation solution, as well as with lathes that have sub-spindles or Y-axis for more complete part automation.

The Haas Bar Feeder V2 provides easy, affordable automation in a small package. It is designed and built in-house, exclusively for use on Haas turning centers, and it connects directly to the Haas control. An innovative rollaway design provides easy access to the rear of the lathe spindle for quick liner adapter and spindle liner changes.

The Haas Bar Feeder 12 is a hydrodynamic bar feeder designed for continuous processing of bar stock up to 12' (3.6 m) long on Haas ST-10 through ST-30 and DS-20Y through DS-30Y turning centers. It is a high-performance automation solution that provides superior bar support and vibration control for high-speed turning applications.

Built for modern CNC lathe environments, the Haas Bar Feeder 12 uses a hydrodynamic oil bath system to stabilize bars throughout the feeding process – delivering quieter operation, smoother feeding, and improved part finish.  

If your bar stock is too large in diameter to bar feed, or you have individual parts that need to be individually loaded into the spindle, then the Haas Automatic Parts Loader (APL) is a great fit! Running an APL can typically double the size of parts you can handle, from 3-inch (75 mm) diameter to 6-inch (150 mm) diameter. The APL also works well to load shafts of various sizes. If you have lots of parts that have had outside processing, such as heat-treating or plating, the APL can make easy work of loading and unloading those parts for you.

Haas Automatic Part Loaders are made entirely in-house, so we control the cost, providing a low price/high value solution to your automation needs. APLs also are a more affordable solution than using six-axis robots or cobots, due to their simple, two-axis gantry design with a single-axis programmable parts table.

Pairing a Haas APL with a Haas CNC turning center is one of the most popular platforms among Haas users. The affordability and ease of set up mean you will gain added performance on your shop floor in no time. Choosing an APL for your lathe is ideal for parts up to 6 inches (150 mm) in diameter and weighing less than 10 lb (4.5 kg) each. Built-in Haas control templates simplify set up and programming, making the APL more viable for smaller part runs. Designed and built exclusively for use on Haas turning centers, the APL connects directly to the Haas control. Free up your existing talent pool, so that your employees can accomplish more meaningful tasks, and get more done in a day.

When it comes to overall flexibility in part handling, there’s no better solution than a robot or cobot. You can have different pick-up and drop-off locations, and you can incorporate a part-flipping station to gain access to the backside of your part for done-in-one production. Both platforms interface directly through the Haas control, eliminating the need for a third-party integrator, which means the overall package is less complex, less expensive, and more predictable in behavior.

With a variety of sizes to choose from, robots/cobots can handle parts from 1 to 12 inches (25 - 300 mm) in size, or weighing a few ounces to around 40 lb (60 g - 18 kg). If you want to incorporate additional levels of automation, such as adding conveyor belts to handle part delivery, as well as part removal, then a robot or cobot is the right platform for you.

Haas robot and cobot packages are essentially the same, with a few exceptions. Both are 6-axis robots that are fully integrated with the Haas control, and they use the same easy-to-use Haas templates for set up and programming. The cobots are lighter-duty, with force-sensing capability that allows them to be used side-by-side with human beings. While a little slower than their industrial robot counterparts, cobots are more affordable, easier to set up and program, and don’t require bulky safety fencing. Haas industrial robots provide a bit more part weight capacity and faster overall speeds, but they require a safety fence or other type of protective barrier, such as a light curtain or area scanner, for safe operation. Both robots and cobots allow automatic loading and unloading of parts into and out of your Haas lathe for unattended operation, which is the biggest contributor of time savings in any automation solution.

Choose between our single pneumatic gripper for increased part size and weight capacity, and our dual pneumatic gripper for smaller, lighter parts. The dual gripper allows you to swap raw material with a finished part in a single trip to maximize speed and increase productivity. Typically, the robot/cobot is loading a part into an automatic, programmable vise, which Haas can also provide, making your shopping experience easier and less complicated. For the greatest degree of versatility in part handling, choose a Haas robot or cobot to deliver the goods.