Back to case studies

Fischer Gears Automated 70% of CNC Feeding with OMRON Cobots

Case Study

12/19/2020

Machine tending cobot automating CNC feeding at Fischer Gears

Industry

Automotive

Application

Machine Tending

Robot Solution

OMRON TM12 Cobot

Overcoming CNC bottlenecks with collaborative robots

For years, Fischer Gears, a Danish manufacturer specializing in industrial and maritime gear production, faced a persistent bottleneck: manual feeding of CNC machines. This repetitive task slowed production and tied up skilled employees who could otherwise focus on more specialized work. As demand grew and efficiency became increasingly important, the company began looking for a more consistent and flexible approach.

To address these challenges, Fischer Gears turned to Machine Tending Robot Automation. The company deployed two OMRON TM12 collaborative robots to handle the loading and unloading of metal parts across four CNC machines. This targeted solution automated up to 70% of the feeding process, helping increase throughput and providing greater flexibility for both small and large production runs.

The system uses integrated vision technology to distinguish between raw and machined parts directly on the pallet, supporting accurate and reliable handling. OMRON safety scanners allow the robots to operate safely alongside employees without protective fencing, helping maximize available workspace while supporting human-robot collaboration.

By automating CNC machine tending, Fischer Gears reduced repetitive manual work and enabled skilled operators to focus on higher-value production tasks. The result is a more efficient, adaptable production process that can support changing manufacturing needs over time.

Watch Fischer Gears’ story:

Download the full story

Download in: Spanish | French | Italian | German | Turkish

It’s not just another investment in robotics. Collaborative robots bring a whole new way of thinking because unlike traditional robots, the Omron TM robots don’t have to be hidden away behind a fence. And if this project is a success, these probably won’t be the last cobots we will use in the production line.” — Lars Bo Nielsen, Factory Manager, Fischer Gears

Results at a glance:

Up to 70% reduction in manual CNC feeding
Increased efficiency and output for large production series
Skilled operators redirected to value-adding tasks
Enhanced workplace safety with integrated OMRON safety scanners
Greater flexibility to apply automation elsewhere in production

Practical automation for CNC machine tending

Fischer Gears’ use of Machine Tending Robot Automation shows how collaborative robots can help manufacturers reduce repetitive CNC loading tasks, improve production flow, and make better use of skilled labor.

If your team is exploring ways to reduce CNC bottlenecks or improve machine tending efficiency, we can help identify an automation approach that fits your production environment.