Wooden fencing component manufacturer Clifford Jones Timber Ltd has invested in a hi-tech “Robot” at its North Wales factory in answer to a lack of available labour.
Shropshire-based Comau supplied the Robot, an automated twin cell based on its standard Smart H2 articulated arm robot, which it said was a first in the timber industry.
The new automated system has replaced the former labour intensive process, which required a high level of operator skill to achieve consistent quality.
The 6-axis pedestal mounted robot has been interfaced with a takeoff from an automated bark peeling machine which feeds the cell. The post is collected and taken to a pointing station – rather like a giant pencil sharpener – pointed and delivered to the selected station.
Prices for the robot start between £30,000-40,000.
