"Lights-out" manufacturing—running CNC lathes unattended overnight—offers immense productivity gains. However, implementing such a system involves significant planning. From automation infrastructure like robotic arms and bar feeders to smart monitoring systems and fail-safe protocols, every aspect must be carefully configured.
This article provides a roadmap for building a lights-out CNC operation, including risk assessment, automation hardware choices, machine tool readiness, and staff training. It explores software integrations that monitor tool wear, machine load, and part quality in real time, and how redundancy systems (e.g., backup coolant pumps or dual grippers) prevent costly failures.
