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ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION
Bringing Australian-made agility to automation worldwide Despite challenges due to the pandemic, Agile Robotic Systems has continued to grow the number of successful overseas installations of its Australian-designed and Australian-made range of CNC machine-loading systems. The compact, easy-to-use, flexible and affordable Agile Flex has established a solid foothold in the US market, offering local manufacturers and machine shops a truly agile machine toolloading solution as well as an antidote for staff shortages and sick leave absences. Success in North America includes a few successful installations in Canada. Now the company is entering the UK market through a recent appointment of a local distributor, also with an eye on the greater European market. While many workshops across the globe are realising the productivity benefits of installing an Agile Flex on their CNC machine tools, the Agile Flex is also developing significant attention in the Australian market due to its reputation for best-in-class software and maximum productivity out-of-the-box at a market-leading price. To get an Australian perspective, we interviewed Derek Hyde, one of the owners of Melbourne-based Jodek, to find out more about his company’s choice to invest in not just one but two Agile Flex 12D systems. AMT: What was the main reason behind investing in machineloading automation? Derek Hyde: Increasing machine efficiency and minimising the amount of repetitive, manual labour for our staff. AMT: What is the specific manufacturing task involved? DH: Loading and unloading steel billets – approximately 250 pieces per shift weighing 3kg each. AMT: How did you work before you decided to employ machine loading automation? DH: One operator would normally operate two machines, which often led to inefficiencies in the production cycles. AMT: What was the challenge that brought you to consider an Agile Flex?
Andrew Payne, Jodek’s Business Development Manager, highlights the enhanced ability to meet urgent customer requirements through very fast set-ups and small batch runs.
AMT APR 2022
DH: With the high-volume work we do it’s difficult to keep staff motivated and engaged when they know they will need to stand in front of a machine eight hours per day loading and unloading billets. AMT: What were the determining factors that lead you to choose an Agile Flex? DH: The Agile Flex was already proven in the field. We were confident the Agile Flex would be installed and be up and running with minimal fuss or downtime. AMT: Were there any unexpected benefits that resulted from employing an Agile Flex? DH: Staff are very happy to see we are investing money to make their lives easier and they understand the automation will not replace their jobs, but rather enable them to move into more interesting roles. AMT: What has improved and what advantages do you have now? DH: We are able to run more machines, more efficiently with the same number of staff. I expect to see the number of lights out unmanned hours increase as we build more confidence.
Investing for growth Husband and wife team Derek and Jodie Hyde started Jodek in 1996 as a part-time machine shop located in Cheltenham, in a 400sqm shared workshop with two manual machines. Since then, the business has grown to 25 employees, with 22 CNC machines and a 2,400sqm manufacturing facility. From simple metal parts fabrication to complex designs, Jodek produces a wide range of components across various industries, including transport, mining, defence, aviation, medical, white goods, and specialising in construction. Both Jodek’s Agile Flex 12D systems are equipped with a Fanuc M-10iD/12 robot, three drawers, and a top pallet for a fourth layer
