On 21 January, at Assistec’s headquarters, ROBO FEED officially presented ROBO FEED FLEXI, a new automation solution for CNC machine tools.
In essence, a solution designed to respond effectively to the production needs of metalworking companies.
The launch took place during a dedicated event involving customers, partners and industry professionals, offering the opportunity to see first-hand a new approach to industrial automation: flexible, modular and truly integrable into existing processes.
A week later, the value of that meeting is still evident.
Not only because of the interest shown, but also because of the direct interaction with those who work in production on a daily basis and who recognised FLEXI as a concrete solution to real problems.
The current production context: why traditional automation is no longer sufficient
Today, metalworking companies operate in an increasingly complex environment:
- small to medium batches
- high code variability
- frequent tool changes
- need to quickly reconfigure work centres
In this context, many traditional automation solutions reveal their limitations.
They are often rigid and designed for repetitive production.
A paradigm shift is needed:
Automation that adapts to production, not the other way around.
ROBO FEED FLEXI was developed to meet this need.
What is ROBO FEED FLEXI: a modular solution for CNC feeding
ROBO FEED FLEXI is a modular and flexible automation system designed for the intelligent management of scheduled multi-product production.
The solution integrates into a single platform:
- robotic automation
- vertical storage
- advanced production flow management
The system is compatible with all CNC machine tools.
Furthermore, it is designed to operate autonomously on equipment, reducing the need for continuous operator intervention and improving the overall efficiency of the department.
Trays: the heart of operational flexibility
The central element of ROBO FEED FLEXI are the trays.
These are actual loading units that house everything needed for flexible production:
- raw and processed pieces
- pallet
- clamping equipment
- clamp exchange systems
- tools and accessories
Thanks to the vertical design of the machine, it is possible to store a large number of trays.
These are handled using a highly reliable lift truck, ensuring maximum storage density and operational continuity.
Configurable bays and robotic integration
Operations on the trays are performed using:
- trolley bay
- operator bay
These areas allow for the removal and insertion of trays, retooling, parts and equipment management, as well as quality control operations.
A third bay is dedicated to interfacing with one or more anthropomorphic robots, responsible for handling components and connecting directly to CNC machine tools.
During the launch event, the solution was presented in collaboration with leading technology partners:
For this reason, this synergy has made it possible to demonstrate a truly integrated system that is ready for the production environment.
Proprietary software: the real brain of the system
The technological heart of ROBO FEED FLEXI is the proprietary software developed in-house by the ROBO FEED team.
The interface is simple and intuitive.
Allows you to:
- rapid creation of production recipes
- advanced management of multi-product flows
- full traceability of materials
- native integration with ERP and MES systems
The result is automation that takes the production context into account.
It adapts to priorities, available resources and actual working conditions.
A new way of thinking about CNC automation
ROBO FEED FLEXI represents a new paradigm:
not a rigid solution, but a system designed to keep pace with the real-world demands of metalworking companies.
From launch to actual application in production
The event on 21 January marked the beginning of a journey characterised by technological developments, new applications and an increasingly concrete and production-oriented vision of automation.
ROBO FEED FLEXI will also be featured at MECSPE.
You can see it and touch it for yourself at Pavilion 30 – Stand E36, where you can talk directly to ROBO FEED technicians.
