What to Automate?

Automate simple, labor-intensive tasks to free up existing talent to work on more meaningful jobs. Allow a machine to deal with the repetitive loading and unloading of parts. Automation is the best, most logical progression for growing your business.

Mill Automation

AUTOMATE YOUR MILL

Lathe Automation

AUTOMATE YOUR LATHE

 Easy Automation

Bar Feeder  & Pallet Pools– Easiest of all possible automation solutions to implement

Bar Feeder

  • Easiest of all automation platforms
  • Compact, affordable design
  • Maximize spindle uptime – boost productivity
  • Bar loader design – less floorspace
  • Great first-op automation solution
  • Designed and built by Haas for Haas
  • Interfaces directly through Haas control
  • Innovative rollaway design for easy access to the spindle

Haas bar feeders are shorter bar loaders that take 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 Haas bar feeder 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 Haas bar feeder 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 provides easy, affordable automation in a small package.

Pallet Pools

  • Easiest of all automation platforms – step-and-repeat process
  • Set up multiple fixtures/operations on each pallet​
  • Onboard Haas pallet scheduler – prioritize each job/pallet independently​
  • Increase spindle uptime/decrease machine idle machine​
  • Good for both high-mix/low-volume, or low mix/high-volume work​
  • Accommodates larger/heavier parts​
  • Includes part load/unload station

When it comes to the types of parts that can be automated, the pallet pool offers some unique advantages. When parts are too large or too heavy to load with a part loader – APL, robot, or cobot – turn to the pallet pool. It can easily handle larger part sizes and heavier part weights, as well as simplify the process of clamping and unclamping the parts. 

The pallet pool platform means you can clamp your parts in any fashion, especially when the part doesn’t lend itself to having a logical clamping surface. Do away with automated opening and closing of a vise or automatic clamping fixtures of any sort. Manually clamp parts ahead of time, and verify secure part location before putting the machine into an unattended operation mode. Simply swap out one pallet for another and let the machine do the rest.

A final benefit is the ability to have multiple jobs in a single machine at the same time. Because the pallet pool is not subject to any automated workholding limitations, you can have any variety of parts, on multiple pallets, giving you the greatest level of flexibility across multiple platforms.

Automation in Action

DK Custom Products – ST-20Y + Haas Bar Feeder

DK Custom Products was founded by Devin and Kevin – the D and K in DK – to provide “better than OEM” Harely Davidson parts for owners who drive their motorcycles long distances. After initially hand-fabricating parts, they invested in  a Haas TM-2P to begin machining parts from billet. As production volumes grew, they added a Haas ST-20Y with Haas Bar Feeder to machine cylindrical parts with milled secondary features complete. Most recently, they added a VF-2SS to handle high-volume parts previously milled on the TM-2P.  

 

Phillips Precision – EC-400 + Pallet Pool

“We are primarily a job shop, but we also have our own product line, which makes us somewhat special. We had a customer that had a high demand for parts, so we purchased an EC-400. I saw the 6+1 Pallet Pool that was available, and it was a no brainer. The machine ran non-stop, with no hiccups. We had all 7 pallets loaded up at night when our workers would go home for the day, and it would run all night. Our Pallet Pool got us ahead of schedule, and let us take on more work. Our EC-400 has probably saved about 25% on our runtime. We have 15,000-rpm, faster feeds and speeds, much faster tool changes, finishes are great, accuracy is very good, and repeatability is no problem.” 

– Steve Phillips, President

Clippard Instrument Lab – UMC-500 + Pallet Pool

Clippard Instrument Lab of Cincinnati, Ohio, recently received a Haas UMC-500 with a Pallet Pool, so their single-shift shop could run the machine unattended overnight. Operations Manager Robin Rutschilling explains how the 16-station pallet pool allowed them to reduce handling times, as well as increase productivity.

TOOHIGHPSI – VF-2SSYT + Pallet Pool

Recently, we visited TooHighPSI, and talked with Mike Sitar Jr. about the high-performance parts they’re making, and how Haas machines and tooling fit into their manufacturing program. Their VF-2SSYT with 3+1 pallet pool has allowed them to increase production, and run longer-cycle parts overnight.

 Affordable Automation

Automatic Parts Loader – Emphasis on lowest possible price for automation​

  • Load/unload individual parts
  • Increase overall productivity
  • Built-in Haas control templates simplify set up & programming
  • Use to run multiples of the same part 
  • Typically used for mid to large lot sizes

Pairing a Haas Automatic Parts Loader (APL) with a Haas CNC turning center or mill is one of the most popular automation platforms among Haas users. The affordability and ease of set up mean you will gain added performance on your shop floor in no time.

An APL on a lathe can typically handle parts up to 6-inch (150 mm) diameter, and weighing less than 10 lb (4.5 kg) each. The APL also works well to load shafts of various sizes. On a 3- or 5-axis mill, the APL is ideal for parts that are 4 to 6 inches (100-150 mm) in size and weigh less than 10 lb (4.5 kg) each. The APL allows you to run multiples of the same part in an unattended fashion. 

Built-in Haas control templates simplify set up and programming of the APL, making it more viable for shorter part runs. Free up your existing talent pool, so that your employees can accomplish more meaningful tasks, and get more done in a day.

Automation in Action

Micro-Cut Engineering - VF-2SS + Automatic Parts Loader

Customer Spotlight

See how Micro-Cut Engineering automated their processes, and were running parts the first night of setting up their APL!

Micro-Cut Engineering decided to purchase a VF-2SS with an APL to machine their parts unattended. Previously, all parts were hand loaded one-by-one into a vise. Purchasing the Haas APL is their first step to a simple transition toward lights-out, unattended machining. Company president Andrew Starrenburg explains how simple the install and set up were, allowing him to run parts unattended the first night!

“Once the machine was installed by our local HFO, the machine was up and running within an hour or two.” 
– Andrew Starrenburg, President, Micro-Cut Engineering

Holzman Machine - UMC-500 + Automatic Parts Loader

Customer Spotlight

Holzman Machine, LLC found its niche in machining complex 5-axis parts for aerospace with Haas UMC 5-axis machining centers. Recently, they took 5-axis machining to the next level by adding a UMC-500 integrated with an Automatic Parts Loader to run stainless steel parts lights-out and on weekends. Their next step in increasing productivity was to add a Haas ST-20Y Y-axis lathe with live-tooling to machine cylindrical parts having critical slots and a window in a single setup.

American Torch Tip Co. – ST-20Y + Automatic Parts Loader

Customer Spotlight

See how American Torch Tip is using automation to increase productivity, and give them a competitive edge.

Recently, American Torch Tip installed a turning cell with three Haas ST-20Y CNC lathes with sub-spindles, each set up with automation for lights out production. Two of the Haas ST-20Y CNC lathes are loaded by Haas Automatic Parts Loaders, while the third is loaded by a Haas Robot Package. Learn how this installation is helping a leading manufacturer of torches gain a competitive edge post-pandemic.

“We finally bought one . . . [Robot Package] and that was nice, because it was all plug-and-play.”  – Jack Walters, President, American Torch Tip Co.

TMF Center - VF-2 + Automatic Parts Loader

Customer Spotlight

TMF Center is a technology-based manufacturing company based in rural, west-central Indiana. TMF Center produces component parts for manufacturers of off-highway construction equipment, the mining industry, and heavy-duty trucking. Adding Haas machines with automation has helped them increase productivity. 

 Versatile Automation

Robots & Cobots – Offer the most flexibility in implementation and part handling

  • Compact footprint​
  • Automatic loading and unloading of part​s
  • Most versatile; flexibility to have different pick-up/drop-off locations​
  • Part-flipping station available to gain access to your final operation​
  • Interface directly through the Haas control; no need for third-party integrator​
  • Use to run multiples of the same part
  • Choose from single-station or dual-station grippers​
  • Control templates simplify set up & programming

Automating a process often means having to prioritize your objectives. For small-part automation – parts from 1 to 12 inches (25 - 300 mm) in size, or weighing a few ounces to around 40 lb (60 g - 18 kg) – the Haas robot and cobot packages offer a greater degree of flexibility than other automation systems. 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.

Embracing unattended part loading and unloading is the biggest contributor of time savings in any automation solution. If you’re after every possible second of cycle time, then the Haas robot packages will offer a slight advantage in overall speed, compared to the cobots, as well as higher part size and weight capacities. But keep in mind, there may be other tradeoffs, such as price and floorspace requirements. 

Automation in Action

AMI Machining – VF-2SS + Robot

Customer Spotlight

AMI Machining incorporated their first robot with the VF-2SS in their job shop, which allowed their operators to train more employees and run more machines.

“While the robot is running, I am able to do other setups. I am to run jobs. I am able to help anyone else that needs my help. Because the robot is making parts while I go to lunch or in the back, I am able to do other things that I wouldn't be able to if the robot wasn’t helping." 
– Esteban Rodriguez, Lead CNC Machinist, AMI Machining

American Torch Tip Co. – ST-20Y + Robot

Customer Spotlight

See how American Torch Tip is using automation to increase productivity, and give them a competitive edge.

Recently, American Torch Tip installed a turning cell with three Haas ST-20Y CNC lathes with sub-spindles, each set up with automation for lights-out production. Two of the Haas ST-20Ys are loaded by Haas Automatic Parts Loaders, while the third is loaded by a Haas Robot Package. Learn how this installation is helping a leading manufacturer of torches gain a competitive edge, post-pandemic.

“We finally bought one . . . [Robot Package] and that was nice, because it was all plug-and-play.”  – Jack Walters, President, American Torch Tip Co.

WESTERN SAW – ST-30 + 25 KG ROBOT PACKAGE

Customer Spotlight

This Haas 25 kg Robot Package at Western Saw in Oxnard, CA, uses a unique magnetic gripper to load and unload parts from a Haas ST-30. Watch as the 25 kg robot easily handles these large, steel cylindrical parts. 

PRIMARY MACHINE AND REPAIR – VF-2SSYT + Robot 

Customer Spotlight

“The Haas Robot Package has allowed us to triple our production. Before we purchased the Robot Package-1, we were looking to hire a person for the night shift, and now that we have the Robot Package, we are able to run our machine lights-out, and still keep our overhead relatively low.”

– Cherish Vining, Owner

MASTEQ – VF-2SS + Robot

Customer Spotlight

See how Masteq Tool & Engineering optimized their Haas robot setup with multiple vises and a custom part drop-off point.

“Haas provides an unparalleled value in the market today. The technology, performance, and reliability are why, when we’re in the market for new machines, we always start with Haas!” 

– Mark B. Anderson, Owner - Masteq Tool & Engineering, LLC and Masteq Manufacturing, LLC.

Still have questions? Just ask. We’ll get right back to you.

Be as specific as you like, so we can help you find the best automation for your shop.