Methods Machine Tools Inc., based in Sudbury, MA, U.S.A, announced the release of the new RoboDrill Med Cell, a complete pre-engineered, fully-integrated production machining cell which automates loading and unloading of medical device parts. The reliable FANUC RoboDrill Machining Centre is at the core of the system. The Med Cell has full five-axis machining capability and is ideal for medical machining applications including short run production of parts in a variety of materials from stainless-steel to titanium. "Med Cell provides medical manufacturers with a cost-effective, lights-out robotic automation solution to successfully compete in today's challenging economy," said Mr. Steve Bond, National Sales Manager, RoboDrill, RoboCut and EDM Products. The attractively priced, compact Med Cell is designed for simple installation, fast set-ups and changeovers, operator safety and production flexibility. Featuring an integrated macro chuck, the Med Cell enables different parts to be mounted on the same universal chuck base for maximum versatility. The Med Cell is easily configured to handle virtually any part that will fit in its 6" vise or chuck. The workpiece is pallet mounted, ensuring that parts remain perfectly aligned when moved through other production operations. The Med Cell incorporates a compact, custom engineered drop trunnion rotary table that positions the table faceplate close to the RoboDrill table surface, providing increased rigidity and enhanced accuracy. With a fully integrated FANUC six-axis robot, the Med Cell automates loading and unloading and minimises or eliminates a long list of production problems. The high-speed six-axis FANUC LR Mate 200iC Robot comes complete with grippers, a teaching pendant, and several easily customisable programs. The package also includes fully-interfaced inbound and outbound conveyors and guarding that are customised to receive the integrated macro chuck, for full lights-out robotic automation.The heart of the Med Cell is the RoboDrill Vertical Machining Centre which is designed for years of continuous, full 5-axis machining via powerful CAMplete software (optional) for today's exotic materials and designs. RoboDrill offers a 14-tool (or optional 21-tool) tool changer, 10,000 or 24,000 RPM spindle, torque to 56 ft-lbs, rigid tapping to 5,000 RPM (8,000 RPM optional), accelerations (in X, Y, and Z axes) to 1.5 G, rapid traverses to 2,125 IPM, feed rates to 1,181 IPM (2,362 IPM optional), high-speed reverse tapping, thread milling, 1,000 registrable programs, and 54 work offsets. In addition, the industry-standard FANUC 31i control is operator-friendly and easy to use. The Med Cell can also be modified for use in turning applications in conjunction with a Nakamura CNC lathe. An optional graphite machining package is also available, and a vision system can also be added to identify parts of differing sizes.