From Training Floor to Shop Floor: KUNZMANN Adopts FANUC CRX Cobot

For KUNZMANN Maschinenbau, the introduction of robotics was driven by both practical and educational goals. The German machine tool manufacturer wanted to demonstrate modern automation capabilities while providing trainees with direct exposure to industrial robotics.

“Our main focus is on the design and manufacture of hybrid milling machines, which users can operate using either CNC controls or manually with hand wheels,” explains Niklas Bitzer, Application Engineer at KUNZMANN. “Although production is a core activity, a large part of our remit centres on training.”

With robotics playing an increasingly vital role in manufacturing and the skills shortage proving particularly acute across Europe, the company looked to integrate automation technology into its training environment.

“We wanted a robot because it would not only demonstrate our prowess in this technology, but also because working with robots is fascinating for trainees,” he says. “Unfortunately, we soon hit a hurdle, discovering that many solutions on the market were just too complex.”

Fortunately, KUNZMANN’s ongoing search led the company to the FANUC CRX collaborative robot series, and specifically the CRX-10iA/L model. With a payload of 10 kg and reach of 1,418 mm, the robot offers flexibility for a wide range of automation tasks while remaining straightforward to deploy. Another key factor for Bitzer was compatibility.

“The CRX is control-independent, which means it can connect with any of the control systems we offer for use on our machines, supporting simple integration.”

Ease of use proved a decisive advantage. The CRX series takes advantage of the FANUC Tablet Teach Pendant, which features an intuitive drag-and-drop programming interface. Instead of writing complex code, users guide the robot manually and save positions directly on the touchscreen.

This simplicity makes the robot particularly suitable for training environments.

“Anyone can use it, even first-year trainees and interns,” he says. “That’s extremely valuable because it allows learners to gain experience with robotics right from the beginning.”