Robots have handled tasks such as welding, painting, and material handling in industrial environments for many years. Kuka Robotics Inc., Clinton Township, Mich., (kukarobotics.com) says manufacturers can now use robots for machining and pre-machining operations.

The company says that's because new robotic systems are more rigid than previous ones and use software that generates G-code. This lets users take existing CAD files and program robots to machine parts, trim flash, or perform additional operations.

The company says a 6-axis robotic system, for example, which costs about $100,000 to $150,000, can handle the same material-removal tasks as a $300,000 CNC in applications requiring soft materials such as foam, clay, and aluminum. A large working envelope allows milling all sides of a part so it doesn't require refixturing. This saves time and money, while eliminating inaccuracies caused by repositioning parts. The robots also pre-machine hard materials, removing the bulk of material, before parts go to CNCs. This could potentially shorten CNC cycle times, reducing the number of machines needed from ten, to three, as an example.