The pallets are stored in the 2-level storage rack, which minimizes the use of factory floor space. The automatic storage can include 4-24 pallet places, depending on the system. The stacker crane automatically transports pallets between the loading station, machine tool, and storage.

Designed with ergonomics and safety in mind, the round FPC loading station allows operators to work close to the pallet and fixture. The pallet table can be easily rotated with the mobile index pedal. With the operating panel on the side of the loading station, unloaded parts can be acknowledged and ready pallets sent back to the manufacturing process. The easy-to-operate front doors and motorized back door ensure operator safety while loading new workpieces.

An independent control system is the brain behind the FPC. The controls are based on Fastems’ renowned MMS (Manufacturing Management System), which automatically transfers pallets between the loading station, machine tool and storage. The basic data and orders are fed into the MMS by means of a user-friendly wizard. The system ensures that all ordered workpieces are manufactured by their due times. During the evening shift, the operator can load the workpieces onto the pallets and let the system take care of the rest during an unmanned work shift. Should any problems, such as equipment failures, arise during the night shift, the system can send an SMS or Email alarm to the factory’s on-call operator or service person.

Eco-friendly handling of cutting fluid
Special attention has been paid to the handling of cutting fluid coming from the machine tool along with pallets: extra cutting fluid from the FPC’s storage places and container floor is centrally collected into a cutting fluid sump, from which it is pumped to the customer’s recycling system. This arrangement prevents cutting fluid from spreading over the factory floor.

Flexible to machine tool brands and relocation
Like all Fastems’ systems, the FPC is open for all machine tool brands. The Fastems machine tool interface library contains complete interfaces for the most common global machine tool brands. Fastems has designed the FPC’s container frame and stacker crane for flexible use with different machine tools and their pallets.

The FPC can also be relocated easily; with minor adjustments it can even be connected to a totally new machine tool. A major benefit in case of layout changes, or if the FPC needs to be resold at the end of the machine tool’s life cycle!

Easily extendable
As production needs increase, the FPC can be extended extremely easily and cost-effectively. An additional container and a second loading station installed into the base system doubles the number of pallet places within the system and brings more flexibility to the loading functions. It is also possible to connect another machine tool to the extension container, which raises the entire system’s performance to a new level. These extension elements cause no adjustment needs to the stacker crane or the control system. Compared to pallet pools, the FPC offers true extendibility!

Immediate installation
With a standardized, modular container structure and thorough testing of each system at Fastems before delivery, the FPC is simple to install and allows the customer to start manufacturing quickly – even in one day. After the rapid start-up, testing, and training, the customer can switch on production.

Simple maintenance
Provided with service doors at both ends of the container, the FPC is easy and safe for maintenance. After commissioning, Fastems supports the customer with comprehensive aftermarket services throughout the product’s life cycle. Each FPC system comes with a remote connection, enabling Fastems Teleservice to diagnose the customer’s problem and usually solve it without a need for an on-site visit. Together with customer-specific maintenance agreements, Teleservice enables trouble-free operation of the system – during the 8760 production hours of the year!

Rapid ROI
With a short payback period, the FPC investment boosts the economy of the machine tool. The number of pallets in the system extends the productive unmanned period and increases yearly operation hours considerably. The pallets and fixtures make set-up times short and enable economical manufacturing of small batches as well as reduce the amount of unfinished work. Like all factory automation solutions, the FPC significantly improves the utilization rate of machine tools. In practice, the cutting hours of an automated machine tool are doubled compared to a manually set machine. And a further increase can be achieved by unmanned production shifts.

Fastems also has tools for calculating a customer’s productivity improvement potential and the investment’s payback period – based on the customer factory’s own manufacturing parameters. Why not have a go for better availability?

Benefits by FPC

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