EOAT End of arm tooling for industrial robots. ABB Robot

Machine Tending

We specialise in supplying collaborative robot solutions including machine tending, allowing production machines to run more reliably and with less manual intervention. Cobots handle tasks such as loading raw materials, removing finished components and transferring parts between machines, freeing your team to focus on higher value work. With minimal footprint and intuitive programming, our systems help manufacturer achieve higher uptime, better consistency and improved safety in manufacturing.

We offer machine tending solutions compatible with a wide range of equipment including CNC, injection moulding machines and other production machinery. Our cobot solutions are capable of interfacing with your systems, reading machine signals, performing repeatable loading / unloading sequences, and can be adapted to different part sizes, cycle times and work cell layouts.

Solutions we Offer

In Cycle Quality Checks

Detect defects or inconsistencies immediately after machining or moulding using sensors or cameras

Component Racking Systems

Organise raw stock and finished parts to support accurate pick and place cycles

Door Opening Mechanisms

Automate manual doors on machines to allow for continuous, unattended operation

Machine Interface Modules

Enable direct communication between cobots and machines for cycle control and status monitoring

Remote Access and Alerts

Monitor cobot status and receive notifications on mobile or desktop when attention is needed

Conveyors

Feed parts into or out of the work cell for seamless handover between processes

Data Logging and Monitoring

Track cycle times, error rates, and part counts for process transparency and optimisation

End of Arm Tooling (EOAT)

Custom grippers for secure, repeatable handling of varied parts and materials

Safety Integration

Light curtains, area scanners and protective zones to maintain operator safety

Part Loading/Unloading

Automate the transfer of components into and out of CNCs, moulding machines, or presses

FAQs

What is cobot machine tending? Cobot machine tending involves using a collaborative robot to load and unload parts from machines like CNCs, injection moulders, presses or lathes — reducing downtime and improving productivity.

Why automate machine tending with a collaborative robot? Cobot machine tending automation improves cycle times, reduces manual handling, increases consistency, and allows operators to focus on higher‑value tasks.

What machines can cobots tend to? Cobots can be integrated with CNC mills, lathes, grinders, laser cutters, plastic moulding machines, and other industrial equipment.

How does a cobot load and unload a CNC machine? The cobot arm picks raw parts from a tray or conveyor, inserts them into the CNC chuck or vice, and removes finished parts after the cycle — all without human intervention.

Can cobots work with different part sizes and shapes? Yes — with adaptive grippers, trays or vision systems, cobots can handle a range of part types without complex changeovers.

How do cobots increase CNC machine uptime? By reducing idle time between cycles, cobots keep machines running continuously, especially during lights‑out or night shifts.

Is cobot machine tending suitable for low-volume production? Yes — unlike traditional automation, collaborative robots are cost‑effective even for short runs due to fast setup and minimal programming.

Do I need to modify my CNC machine for cobot integration? Not always — many cobot machine tending systems use I/O or Ethernet interfaces to connect with existing equipment.

What safety features do cobots offer for machine tending? Cobots include force-limited joints, safety sensors, and emergency stops that allow safe operation near humans without cages (in some cases).

How long does it take to set up a cobot machine tending cell? Typical deployment takes from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on machine type, part complexity, and integration needs.

Can cobots open and close machine doors? Yes — with either door actuators or specially designed EOATs (end-of-arm tools), cobots can automate door handling for fully unattended operation.

What grippers are used for robotic loading and unloading? Two-jaw or three-jaw pneumatic grippers, electric grippers, or soft adaptive grippers are commonly used in machine tending cobots.

Do cobots require programming for each new part? Cobots use intuitive interfaces, teach mode, or drag-and-drop programming, making it easy to create new routines in minutes.

Can vision systems help with machine tending? Yes — cobot vision systems can locate, inspect or orient parts to improve precision and reduce fixturing requirements.

What industries benefit from cobot machine tending? Automotive, aerospace, medical, electronics, metalworking and plastics industries all benefit from CNC cobot automation.

What are the space requirements for a cobot tending cell? Cobots have compact footprints, and their flexibility allows fitting into tight spaces where traditional robots cannot operate.

Can cobots run unattended overnight? Yes — with proper part feeding and unloading trays, cobot machine tending supports lights-out production for extended output.

How does Rise Automation support cobot machine tending? Rise Automation delivers turnkey cobot tending cells, including integration, tooling design, safety setup and training — tailored to your equipment.