Nidec OKK to unveil pallet stocker and VB-X350 at AMB 2024

To meet the automation and labour-saving needs in the limited-lot production of a wide variety of products such as EVs, semiconductor equipment, and electronic components, the Company is ready to offer an automation system that combines a high-speed five-axis processing machine with a multi-level pallet stocker capable of replacing processed materials (work pieces) automatically.

Nidec OKK will unveil this system at AMB2024, an international exhibition for metal working to be held in Germany’s Stuttgart from 10–14 September 2024, as a product to contribute to improving the productivity of increasingly complex component machining.

This latest multi-level pallet stocker, which automatically moves work-attached pallets into and out of a machine, was developed based on a “space-efficient, easy operations” concept so that the system can be installed regardless of the user’s production style or place.

To save space, the pallet stocker adopts a stereoscopic (vertical stacking) system and a minimum layout for the automatic pallet changing device’s drive. In addition, the system boasts a minimum pallet rack combination unit of 16 pallets (four lines x four columns) and a maximum pallet rack combination of 28 pallets (seven lines x four columns). Furthermore, the system uses compact components and mechanical units to allow sufficient space, achieving a top-level space efficiency in the class.

To make it easy to use even for inexperienced operators, the system employs a control board with a simple, intuition-oriented screen. Additionally, to ease the operator’s burden during machine setup, the operator can use an operation program to perform a variety of tasks ranging from entering and viewing work manuals, knowhow, etc. to managing work-changing timing and machining schedule. With these combinations of the machines and the stereoscopic pallet stocker, and hardware and software, this new system enables night-time autonomous driving, reduces labour man-hours to lessen the operator’s burden, and improves productivity.

Nidec OKK stays committed to developing and offering a wide variety of machines and peripheral equipment to address automation, labour-saving, and many other issues faced by manufacturing sites.