High-speed robotic spindles capable of matching dedicated CNC precision draw new attention from machine tool OEMs and system integrators. At IMTS 2026, Setco's robotic spindle, mounted at the end of a FANUC's robotic precision machine arm, is a robotic spindle solution for OEMs and system integrators seeking flexible, high-speed machining capabilities.
High-speed robotic spindles are expanding the range of machining tasks that can be automated with industrial robots. The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, running September 14 through 19 at McCormick Place, is putting that capability on display. At IMTS 2026, Setco's robotic spindle will be showcased in a FANUC robotic machining system designed for applications that do not require the ultra-tight tolerances of dedicated CNC equipment. Visitors can see Setco at booth 432423 and view its robotic spindle featured in FANUC's robotic tooling demonstration at booth 338900.
What Makes a Spindle Well-Suited to High-Speed Robotic Machining?
A spindle earns high-speed performance when it delivers the rotational speeds industrial robots require without adding weight the arm was not built to carry. Setco engineers its robotic machining spindle line for end-of-arm use, keeping the housing compact so a robot retains its rated payload capacity. The spindle's motor and drive system must be matched to the robot's payload, speed, torque, and cutting requirements.
Machine tool OEMs weigh balance, speed, torque, and the robot's rated payload limit when selecting a spindle. The pairing covers most machining jobs, though ultra-tight-tolerance work, such as aerospace and precision engineering, where tolerances may fall below 0.002 inch, still requires a machine purpose-built for CNC precision alone.
FANUC, the global leader in CNC systems and robotics, has installed more than 40 million products worldwide, giving system integrators a familiar robot platform to build around Setco's spindle engineering. Setco supports that partnership with robotic spindle engineering, manufacturing, and service capabilities across nine locations globally. The company has manufactured or rebuilt over 310,000 spindles and supported over 350 spindle OEMs, giving buyers a track record to weigh alongside the robotic offering it is presenting in Chicago.
Pour lire la suite : https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/news/2026/09/14/imts-2026-puts-high-speed-robotic-machining-in-the-spotlight/27088/
