KUKA Robotics Selected by New System Partner Rimrock Corporation to Provide Robotics for New Plastic Part Trimming Cell.

KUKA KR 60 Robot to be Used in Pre-Designed Automated Trimming System to Increase Productivity, Throughput, and Reliability

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- KUKA Robotics Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of industrial robots, today announced it has been selected by its new system partner, Rimrock Corporation, as its robotics supplier for the RoboRouter 200, a new addition to their plastic and composite trimming system product line. Rimrock Corporation's New Berlin, WI manufacturing division will use the KUKA KR 60 robot in its system which will allow manufacturers to increase productivity, throughput, and reliability. The pre-designed routing, cutting, and trimming robotic system uses the KUKA robot inverted and mounted to a Gudel TrackMotion system providing a reliable and cost effective alternative to manual or CNC router operations.

"Rimrock's new system using our robot and TrimWare, Rimrock's comprehensive software package for automated cutting, trimming, and routing, is truly unique and will give manufacturers of composite and thermoformed plastic products an extremely reliable and efficient tool," said Kevin Kozuszek, director of marketing for KUKA Robotics Corporation.

"We chose KUKA for their commitment to producing quality products and the KUKA KR 60 robot specifically for its flexibility and stiff arm design which allows for a more adaptable and accurate trimming tool," said Dave Voves, Vice president and general manager for Rimrock-New Berlin.

The new system uses an inverted KUKA KR 60 robot mounted on a stationary overhead mounting fixture or a Gudel TrackMotion linear track, for an additional 7th axis of motion. The KUKA KR 60 robot is a six-axis robot with a 2429 mm reach and is capable of handling up to a 60 kg payload. The cell also uses Rimrock's proprietary TrimWare operating system with an easy to use touch screen interface, a shape/cutout programming library, production statistics reporting, and assorted part variability adjustment controls.

Rimrock Corporation, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, was founded in 1956 and is a premier supplier of automation products & robotic integration services for North America. Their robotic automation systems are installed in a variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, marine, recreational vehicle, off highway industrial vehicle, foundry, forging, & die casting. Rimrock primarily automates welding, machine tending, material handling, and material removal based applications. Having installed over 7,500 robots, Rimrock is the ideal partner for automation products & systems based on its support network, diversity of application experience, & ability to provide outstanding customer service. For more information contact Rimrock at 262-432-0600 or visit their website at www.rimrockcorp.com.

KUKA Robotics Corporation, with its parent company KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg, Germany, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial robots, with an annual production volume approaching 10,000 units, and an installed base of over 75,000 units. The company's 5 and 6 axis robots range from 3kg to 570kg payloads, and 635mm to 3700mm reach, all controlled from a common PC based controller platform. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries and in multiple applications including material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing. For more information contact KUKA Robotics at 866-873-5852 or visit their website at www.kukarobotics.com.

The KUKA logo is a registered trademark of KUKA Roboter GmbH. KUKA, and KUKA KR 60 are trademarks of KUKA Roboter GmbH. All other trademarks are owned by their respective companies.