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Loading & Unloading 24/7

DOBOT cobots for automatic loading and unloading of CNC and production machines. ±0.02 mm accuracy, up to 4 m/s.

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Overview

Let your machines
run without interruption

In a typical CNC workshop, 30–50% of machine time is lost to manual loading and unloading. Operators tire, errors happen, and night shifts cost disproportionately more.

A DOBOT cobot takes over repetitive machine tending 24/7 with a typical 20–40% productivity gain, while your operator focuses on quality control, programming, and difficult parts.

  • ±0.02 mm repeatability on chuck loading
  • Universal grippers (parallel, vacuum, magnetic, soft) for every part
  • Connection to the machine PLC via I/O or Modbus / Profinet / EtherCAT
  • Hand-guided teaching without programming knowledge
  • Level 5 collision detection — operation without a cage
±0.02 mmRepeatability
4 m/sMax motion speed
20–40%Productivity gain
6–12 monthsTypical payback period
Key Advantages

Engineered for
real CNC workshops

High Accuracy

±0.02 mm repeatability at speeds up to 4 m/s. Consistent chuck loading without affecting CNC cycle time.

Fast Setup

From unboxing to production in under an hour. Plug-and-play grippers and hand-guided teaching, no programming required.

Immediate ROI

One cobot replaces multiple operators across machine-tending shifts. Typical payback period of 6–12 months for double or triple-shift operation.

Production Flexibility

Fast reprogramming for new parts. Multiple products on the same line without rebuilding the cell.

Production Layouts

From a single machine
to a full workshop

Start with one cobot in front of a single CNC and scale gradually to multiple machines as your production grows.

DOBOT cobot in CNC machine tending with automatic chuck loading
Setup 01

CNC Machine Tending

The cobot sits in front of or next to a CNC lathe or mill. It loads raw stock into the chuck, starts the program, and unloads the finished part to a bin or pallet. Runs 24/7 with no operator supervision.

Workshop with multiple DOBOT cobots along a CNC machine line
Setup 02

Multi-Machine Workshop

Multiple cobots feed different CNCs in parallel in one workshop. You double throughput without adding staff to extra shifts or weekends.

Examples

In production,
not in a showroom

Real DOBOT cobot installations in machine shops and production lines.

Loading hydraulic tube adapters into CNC lathes
Hydraulic Parts

Loading hydraulic tube adapters into CNC lathes

Machine tending for lock cylinder machining
Cylinder Heads

Machine tending for lock cylinder machining

Automatic palletizing of finished parts on a production line
Pallet Loading

Automatic palletizing of finished parts on a production line

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Which machines can it connect to?
CNC lathes, mills, injection molding machines, presses, stamping machines, CMMs, and generally any machine with a cabinet or loading door that can be opened externally. Connection to the machine PLC is made via I/O or ethernet (Modbus, Profinet, EtherCAT).
How quickly can we change to a new product?
For a variation of the same part: minutes (changing one pickup point). For a completely new part with different geometry: typically 30–60 minutes via drag-to-teach. No programmer required — the machine operator teaches the cobot.
Do I need a special gripper for every part?
Not necessarily. We have universal grippers (parallel, vacuum, magnetic, soft) that cover 80%+ of typical machine-tending applications. For unusual shapes, we 3D-print a custom end-effector in a few days.
Is it safe without a cage?
In most applications, yes. Level 5 collision detection stops motion within milliseconds. We recommend a laser scanner or light curtain on the access side for EN ISO 10218 compliance — physical fencing is not required.
How long until I recover the investment?
For a single shift: typically 12–18 months. For double or triple shifts where the cobot replaces 1.5–3 equivalent operators: 6–12 months. We send a detailed ROI calculation based on your production data.