CNC robots from Switzerland:
Innovative solutions
from MABI Robotic AG

We achieve high-precision kinematics thanks to the exact manufacturing tolerance and the high measuring and testing effort. In contrast to normal industrial robots, we have installed secondary encoders in our CNC robots and can therefore measure and compare the position on the input and output shafts. The combination of high-precision kinematics, secondary encoders and factory calibration with a measurement protocol specially developed for CNC robots enables us to achieve top values for the path accuracy of our CNC robots.

The main feature of CNC robots is their high precision. In order to achieve such high accuracy, precisely toleranced components are required, which are also much more expensive to manufacture. By using an optical measuring system on each axis, the accuracy and production costs are increased. In addition, industrial robots from other manufacturers are often not optimized for CNC controls or have to be retrofitted. We therefore supply a "ready to run" system that is specially designed for manufacturing processes in metalworking.

The CNC robots are primarily used in subtractive and additive manufacturing and can be a cost-effective alternative to portal milling machines thanks to their large machining area. Like other industrial robots, the MABI robot can be equipped with an exchangeable tool. For example, we can switch to a gripper for loading, then use the deposition welding head and finally process the surfaces with the milling spindle. We are therefore confident that our industrial robots are a suitable product for the manufacturing landscape.

MABI Robotic AG is a leading Swiss company and manufacturer of CNC robots and high-precision automation solutions. Our specialty is the combination of machine tools with robotics in order to achieve maximum productivity, maximum accuracy and maximum flexibility in production. For this purpose, we have developed a CNC-controlled robot that runs on the Siemens SINUMERIK controller and combines the world of machine tools with robotics. Our CNC-controlled robots are used in a wide variety of industries — from classic metal processing to additive manufacturing (3D printing).

All CNC robots and automation systems from MABI Robotic are developed, produced and tested entirely at our main plant in Veltheim (canton of Aargau, Switzerland). By manufacturing in Switzerland, we ensure that Swiss precision and quality standards are met. At the same time, local production and assembly enable short delivery routes and continuous quality control — from the first component to the fully calibrated CNC robot.

MABI Robotic AG is ISO 9001 certified. This means that our quality management system is tested in accordance with international standards. Our CNC robots and systems are manufactured according to strict quality and safety guidelines to ensure maximum reliability and durability. Each production step is subject to extensive tests and controls. This enables us to ensure that our products meet the high demands of our customers and work precisely over the long term.

Our product range includes:

• High-precision CNC industrial robots (6-axis robotic arms for industrial applications)
• Linear axes to extend the range
• Rotate/swivel tables for flexible workpiece positioning during processing
• Robot controls (CNC controls based on Siemens SINUMERIK) and accessories for tailor-made automation solutions

Typical applications Our CNC robots include:

• CNC milling — our robots can be used as a precise milling machine replacement (many customers use them as Milling robot for complex 3D processing)
• Additive manufacturing (3D printing) — our robots can apply material and thus help with large-format 3D printing
• Model and mold making — e.g. milling prototypes or full-size models from various materials

In a sense, our CNC industrial robots function as flexible robotic arm-Systems that can be equipped with different tools as required. For example, a robot can first act as a gripper, then as a welding machine and finally — equipped with a milling spindle — as a milling robot, perform precise machining tasks. This versatility makes our industrial robots innovative alternatives to conventional machine tools in various production processes.

Yes and no. Our CNC robots are designed in such a way that they can be extended with interfaces and accessories for special applications. In concrete terms, this means:

• Interchangeable tools can be used on the robot — such as grippers, deposition welding heads or milling spindles, depending on the task. This allows the robot to be quickly converted for various process steps (gripping, welding, milling, etc.).
• By installing linear axes, the working radius of the robot can be significantly increased, as an additional axis is added and the working space that can be reached is thus expanded. This is particularly useful when large workpieces need to be machined or long distances must be bridged.

However, the basic structure or kinematics of our CNC industrial robots themselves cannot be adapted at will. In other words, the robots are offered in certain model variants and their design cannot be modified. Adjustments are primarily made via the above-mentioned peripheral extensions (tools, axes, software), so that, despite the standardized robot platform, there is maximum flexibility for customer-specific applications.

Yes We attach great importance to our customers being able to use CNC robots optimally. That is why we offer practical live demonstrations and feasibility studies at our plant in Veltheim. Interested parties and customers can see our milling robot in action on site and have their own materials or processes tested.

When buying a robot, it is also possible to book training courses. These trainings can be carried out either directly at our factory or after installation at the customer's site — whichever is more practical for you. Thanks to the familiar Siemens Sinumerik CNC controller, our robots are very intuitive to operate. Since our robots are controlled with SINUMERIK 840D, many CNC specialists are already familiar with the user interface from the world of machine tools. This makes training much easier and reduces training time. In the training courses, we provide basic functions as well as advanced programming and maintenance so that your team can operate the robot safely and efficiently.

Our CNC robots are designed for industrial use — they are not collaborative lightweight robots (cobots). Yet they have cutting-edge safety features to make operations as safe as possible. These include a Cartesian safety system with freely definable virtual protection areas and a fail-safe PLC (safety controller), which permanently monitors robot movements. These integrated safety mechanisms ensure that the robot controls its own position and speed and does not exceed pre-set limits.

However, for fully automated operation, the robot must be integrated into a suitable protective environment (robot cell). In industrial practice, the rule continues to apply that humans and industrial robots should work separately using protective devices. Our robots are not designed to work directly with humans, as is the case with real cobots. This means that separating safety fences or light barriers are required so that people cannot enter the robot's work area without protection. As soon as the robot is operated in a standard-compliant safety cell, it can perform its work quickly and precisely in automatic mode — and thanks to the safety functions mentioned above, the highest possible level of protection for operators is ensured.