Parts handling equipment: robots: product lines reviewed.

Parts Handling Equipment ROBOTS

AKR ROBOTICS, INC.

The AKR 3000 robotic manipulator is a jointed-arm robot designed for spray finishing and FRP spray-up applications. Modular design offers a number of arm lenghts, rotation options, stand height, and number of movement axes (up to seven). Direct lead-through teaching or CNC-type programming are available. Special features can include automatic parts identification to select spray pattern; closed-loop monitoring and adjustment of fluid flow, temperature and catalyst/resin ratio; low-level alarms for all ingredients; glass strand breakage alarm; ultrasonic part-position sensing with automatic offset adjustment; complete load/unload indexing systems.

ATM AUTOMATION

Builds a standard line of robots to fit injection molding presses in the size range from 20-to 2000-ton clamp capacity. Robots can also be customized to fit particular applications. The complete line includes sprue pickers; vertical-entry, 3-axis pick-and-place robots; and side-entry, pick-and-place robots. Company supplies all-pneumatic robot models (x, y and z axis), or all-electric-drive robots, or a combination of pneumatics on the arm and head (x and z axis) with electric drive on the beam (y axis). Company will also design and build complete turnkey systems with downstream automation coupled to its parts-removal, vertical- and side-entry robots. (See data sheet p. 352.)

ACCOPE INDUSTRIES, INC.

Provides robots specifically designed for vertical presses. A carriage telescopes into the open daylight, carrying new material charges in with it. Loading of phenolic, melamine, or polyester BMC materials is accomplished with load cups or loading boards. Granular or preform load systems are available. Charge placement in the mold can be precise when using preforms or BMC charges. Company's BMC extruder can be used to pre-size polyester BMC for loading. Preheating systems are available for phenolics and melamines, as well as other thermoset plastics. An air blast or optional brushes are used for mold cleaning. Part removal is accomplished after ejection from the top or bottom by suction cups, grippers, comb, or drop board. Parts are normally sensed to insure a clean mold before loading takes place. Molded parts can then be sequenced for further processing. Robot is interchangeable between presses and is mounted on wheels for easy removal for mold changes and manitenance.

APPLICATION AUTOMATION DIV. AEC, INC.

Offers a complete selection of robots from the XL series sprue pickers to the heavy-duty, top-mounted and side-entry Titan traversing series. Selections are available from pneumatic or motor-driven axes, wide range of controllers, expert tooling design and construction, factory installation, maintenance training, part support and a total system capability. Thirty different models for injection molding machines from 15 to 4000 tons are available.

AUTOMATED ASSEMBLIES CORP.

Manufactures and distributes flexible, robot-based automation systems for injection molding. Company is the exclusive North American distributor of Sailor part removal and runner removal robots, and Seiko robots, and is an IBM manufacturing system integrator.

BATTENFELD AMERICA

Manufactures its Unirob family of linear part extractors, which are designed to be independently operable, multiple-axis, general-purpose part-handling devices suitable for use on various types of injection molding machines in a variety of plant automation applications.

Product line includes standard units with part-handling capabilities of approximately 22, 45, and 100 lb. Custom-engineered units are available for more than 200-lb handling capability. Standard for smaller units are programmable, electrically driven primary axes, together with pneumatic auxiliary axes. Servo-driven primary and auxiliary axes are optionally available to meet more demanding part-handling requirements. Primary axis drives utilize linear bearings with planetary gearing arrangements in conjunction with gear belts or gear racks for maximum reliability and low maintenance. Depending on the application, traverse stroke length and part weight, units are available with either a single-mounting pedestal or two mounting pedestals to provide a gantry-like part-handling device for maximum part placement flexibility.

BERMER TOOL AND DIE, INC.

Offers automation equipment for injection molding. Standard as well as custom-mold wipers, sprue pickers and part-removal equipment are designed and built in-house.

BINKS MANUFACTURING CO.

As an OEM supplier of industrial finishing systems, company offers its ABB TR5000 electric painting robot.

The TR5000 high-performance robot features the latest in a-c servo-drive technology and computerized controls, which reportedly place it at the forefront of the next generation of advanced painting robots. It utilizes the ABB Robotics S3 control system (renamed C5 for painting) and when coupled with the patented 3-axis Flexi-Wrist, allows programming ease and dexterity required for difficult application. The very long reach, 2590 mm (102 in.), and the 300-degree base rotation were engineered to provide a large work envelope.

Special features for painting/coating applications, such as conveyor tracking, dynamic I/O, and analog process control of paint flow, atomization, and fan width, are included in the TR5000 system to meet specifications required for plastics, appliance, automotive, aerospace, and defense applications.

BOE-THERM

See Priority Machinery.

BUCHER, INC.

Robots are especially adapted for thermoset injection molded part removal and for loading inserts into horizontal thermoset injection molding machines. Units are for use on machines ranging from 100 to 1000 tons and for single- through multiple-cavity molds.

Thermoset part-removal robots include air-blast circuits and controls for separate flash removal from the fixed and moveable half of the mold while parts are being removed. They can be combined with degating devices beside the press.

Insert-loading systems are custom-designed for high-production volume, fully automatic molding. Systems include vibratory feeding, insert loading to multiple-cavity transfer tools and insertion into the open mold. A typical product application is the loading of copper shells for motor commutators into 16-cavity tools for total cycle times of 50 seconds.

CINCINNATI MILACRON U.S. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV.

CMR series general-purpose, jointed-arm robot is a high-speed unit with non-lubricating cylinders. The robots have dual-vertical guide rods and flexible end-of-arm tooling kits, which are sized for the application. Remote operator pendant, air-valve indicator lights for sequence monitoring, and microprocessor control are all standard.

Other features include linear bearings, adjustable strip stroke, and shock-absorber positive stops that meet SPI safety standards. Units are sized for mounting on 50- through 3000-ton injection molding machines.

The CMP series sprue/runner pickers have a fast take-out time of 0.7 to 2.0 sec, gripper runner sensing, and remote solid-state controls. Units also feature rotation adjustable to 90 degrees, 100% parts separation, two motion sequences, and mold protection circuitry.

CONAIR MARTIN PART OF THE CONAIR GROUP 

Offers injection molders a wide range of robots specifically designed for new or existing injection molding machines.

* Parts-removal robots: Conair Harmo EX series is available in six models for injection machines from 10- to 500-ton range, with take-out times available from 0.6 to 1.4 sec. The EX series offers many features and benefits as a standard package, including adjustable height, main arm safety lock, self-lubricating, oil-free cylinders and microprocessor controls with digital set times.

* Beam-style robots: HIM series, an up, out and traverse-style robot is suited for 150-to 300-ton molding machines and provides improved quality, faster cycle times and consistency. Company states that since the HIM can accommodate up to five discharge locations in any of three planes, it further improves the molding process by facilitating post-molding automation such as printing/packaging operation, indexing or assembly. The wide-footprint mounting maximizes the traverse beam support, while minimizing vibration.

Company also offers four other domestically produced series, completing its robotics product line.

ELECTRA FORM, INC.

Manufactures its Post Mold Cooling System for the rapid removal and handling of PET preforms. Said to reduce cycle time and increase productivity, system is available in side-out or top-out models. With end-of-arm tooling capabilities for 16-, 24-, 32-, and 48-cavity preform molds, it is adaptable to many different injection molding machines. Company also manufactures pick-and-place part removal robots and other specialty equipment.

ENGEL MACHINERY INC.

Offers four different ranges of insert placement, part take-out, and placement robots for all sizes of injection molding machines up to 3500 tons. Robots are designed to handle heavy parts with high speed, accuracy, and large strokes. A number of high-performance features are standard, including maintenance-free a-c servo-drives and long-life induction hardened, polished guides. Robot precision is independent of gripper and part weight, ambient temperature, and other factors. Each robot comes with an HGB manual-control unit for easy setup and "teaching" the robot the desired positions.

Application engineering is available for special head movements, customized gripper units, suction heads, sprue separating stations, feed equipment, and other related equipment.

A.C. HAMILTON, INC.

Specializes in part/runner-removal robotic pickers designed to separate sprues and runners from molded parts and carry them outside the mold area for deposit into granulators. Robots are usually teamed with belt-conveying systems and other parts-handling specialties.

The pick-and-place series HX and HXW are press-mounted units with fast operating times from 0.7 to 1.4 sec. Models are available to carry loads from 2.2 to 4.4 lb. HXW models include a 90-degree wrist rotation. A PC-EIID programmable controller is included with each robot. The microprocessor provides simple settings and reliable, repeatable operation.

HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS

Manufactures a complete range of robots and product-handling equipment for injection molding. Robots are available in three styles: side-entry, top-entry and turret with five axes of motion--x, y, z, a and c. Drive options include fixed, manual, air, hydraulic, electric and servo. Robots are designed for a range of payloads up to 180 kg and are available for machines ranging from 80 to 4000 tons.

Units can accept either existing end-of-arm tooling or customized tooling specific to the molding application. Also manufactured are units with water-cooled take-out plates that provide faster molding cycles by allowing parts to cool outside the mold.

Product-handling equipment for conveying, stacking and assembly of parts is available, as well as mold-mounted guide rails, guide chutes and swing chutes for high-speed parts removal applications. Systems for tray loading technical parts, including cassettes, compact disk cases and petri dishes, and custom-designed units for cutlery, floppy disk shells, video cassettes, etc., are also available.

Equipment is integrated with machine's microprocessor when installed on a Husky machine. For other machines a free-standing controller is available. Microprocessor screens are customized for the specific parts handling application.

IMS CO.

Offers four models of pneumatic mold sweeps for high-speed, low-cost, automatic part/runner or sprue knock-out. Three heavy-duty units offer stroke lengths of 17, 27, or 33 1/4 in. and can also be used for automatic mold-release application. The fourth model, a "mini" mold sweep, is designed expressly for use on presses in the 1/2 to 14-oz range.

LAROS EQUIPMENT CO., INC.

Two sprue/part extractors for small machines (up to 35-oz shot capacity) are said to provide extraction times of 1.5-2 sec. Logic controller includes digital timers said to be accurate to 0.1 sec, as well as self-diagnostics. Optional vacuum system has an air-limiter switch that detects vacuum gripping action and stops the sequence if a part is not properly retained. Full 90 1/2 wrist swivel is available.

MARK II AUTOMATION, INC.

Company manufactures automated part and runner-removal equipment for plastic injection molding machines, including its Eagle EC series sprue pickers; ES series heavy-duty, swing-type removers for part or runner removal; and EL series traverse-type units. All models are fully pneumatic, mounted on the top of the stationary platen for fast and consistent parts or runner removal. Standard sizes range from 18 to 32 in. on the EC series for presses up to about 400 tons, and 18 to 40 in. of vertical stroke on the ES series for machines up to 750 tons. The EL series units include standard models up to 48-in. vertical stroke and 72-in. traverse stroke for automation of presses up to 1000 tons. Larger units for higher tonnage machines can also be provided. All units include microprocessor controls for control of the remover and interface to the molding machine. The controller allows quick setups and flexibility for short-run molders. Eagle Series units are completely designed and manufactured in the U.S., utilizing standard American-made components throughout.

MOTOMAN

This joint venture of Yaskawa Electric of Japan and Hobart Brothers of Troy, Mich., supplies Robotworld, an ultra-high-speed, intelligent robotic assembly system designed to bridge the gap between rigid, hard-tooled assembly machines and expensive robotic assembly cells. Consisting of individual placement, manipulation and vision modules, each capable of independent action, Robotworld reportedly offers 0.002-in. accuracy and 0.005-in. repeatability. System can be programmed in various languages. Its modular structure reportedly facilitates future upgrading or reconfiguring.

NU-TEC CORP.

Offers a full line of injection molding part-removal robots for machines of 25 to 5000 tons. Specific models include the Sprint Sprue-Picker pneumatic robot series. The H&F programmable electric traverse-beam rectilinear robot series, and the Sepro full CNC rectilinear and Double Beam robot series.

For free-standing flexible automation systems, company offers the Lanco Assembly Transport System as the heart of its custom automation systems for complete assembly of both plastic and metal components.

As an established systems integrator, Nu-Tec is heavily staffed in mechanical design and electrical/controls engineering disciplines, which enables the company to offer complete automation solutions either immediately around injection molding machines or in separate assembly areas.

PAXON AUTOMATION, INC.

Traverse-type robots arms for injection machines from 50 to 1000 tons have microprocessor controls that provide selections of multiple sequences and traverse midpoint positioning, as well as programmed deceleration. Quick-disconnect air fittings aid quick changes of end-of-arm tooling.

PENTEL OF AMERICA, LTD.

Offers three types of insert molding robotic systems: the HR50M and HR50E, horizontal joint robots for vertical molding machines; and the CR90, XYZ coordinate-type for horizontal molding machines.

The HR50M supports heavy workpiece and robot fingers. Z axis is equipped with company's NC stopper method and controls multiple work surfaces to different heights. The HR50E is especially designed for higher speed. A slim body further shortens the tact time.

The CR90, XYZ coordinate robot, a recent development, features a long insert stroke into the mold unit that enables handling of a wide range of small- to medium-mold units.

High repeatability enables insertion of precision parts. Various options and applications tools to meet customer's needs are available.

POLYMER MACHINERY CORP.

Offers its full line of Handler robotic devices for injection molding machines, from high-speed, up-and-out sprue-removal units to full-functioned rotating or traversing pick-and-place part-and sprue-handling systems.

Company offers full engineering support, end-of-arm tooling design and installation. Units can be supplied as complete systems with indexing conveyors, sorters, granulators, etc.

PRESSFLOW ROBOTS, INC.

Manufactures a complete line of sprue pickers and traverse-style pick-and-place robots. Units are designed for injection molding and are used to remove parts and runners from machines. End-of-arm tooling for robots, as well as related downstream equipment, is designed and built at company's ElK Grove, Ill., plant.

Company's Proline series robots are used on molding machines in the size range of 50 to 3000 tons. Proline series sprue pickers can be used on 50-to 500-ton machines. The robots, manufactured in the U.S., are available with three different configurations of control systems to best fit customer's needs. Software is custom-tailored to each installation.

Custom-built end-of-arm tooling for any robot application can be designed and manufactured, including special requirements such as 180-degree wrist turns, degates, and thermoset molding applications.

PRIORITY MACHINERY

Single and multifunctional robots for injection molding machines, including sprue pickers, x-y and x-y-z type robots, are available from Boe-Therm of Denmark. Emphasis is on robotic interfaces with molding machine tonnages below 400 tons.

REIS MACHINES, INC.

Manufactures a wide range of general-purpose, joint-arm industrial robots ranging in lift capacities from ounces to 170 lb. Offers both floor-mounted units and overhead mounts, which can be attached directly to the stationary platen of injection molding machines.

Specializes in complete turnkey automation systems and takes full responsibility from pre-engineering to startup.

SMI AUTOMATION INC.

Manufactures custom automation equipment and is also a systems application center for Hitachi jointed-arm robots and manufacturer of robot end-of-arm tooling.

Hitachi robots feature three sizes of floor-mounted process robots with up to 22-lb payload capacity and three sizes of assembly robots with 2- to 22-lb payload capacity.

Custom automated equipment features indexing dial table construction for either manual or automatic loading. A wide variety of parts can be processed or assembled by the custom designed equipment. Company offers complete concept, design and manufacturing capabilities.

STERLING-DETROIT CO.

Offers its Topper Robotarms, which are adaptable with other production equipment or secondary tooling, and are available in three styles for use with horizontal injection molding presses from 75 to 450 tons.

* Model FWR is an economical unit of fixed-wrist design. It mounts on the stationary platen of the molding press and requires minimal over-machine working space to extract shots up to 30 lb from single- or multiple-cavity molds.

* Model WRT is a high-speed, swivel-type unit that also mounts directly on the machine's stationary platen. This unit features 45-60 degrees of swivel motion that permits the unit to extract a part, lower or re-extend itself, release the grip, and discharge the part onto a workstation, conveyor or chute. The model can be equipped with an optional rotating wrist that allows a part to be captured and rotated in the discharge position.

* Model SM is similar to Model WRT but is of linear (square matrix) configuration, which allows the unit to shuttle laterally with a square or linear motion. It also mounts on the press platen.

All Topper units are equipped with standard hydraulic or air-operated grippers, with vacuum systems or "spring fingers" optional. The units utilize standard electrical relay controls and JIC machine-tool components.

Company also custom designs robotic SMC charge loaders, insert loaders, and parts unloaders for vertical compression molding presses.

STERLTECH DIV. STERLING, INC.

Distributes for Star Seiki and Tokuju Kosakusho. Supplies a complete line of automatic part- and sprue-removal robots for injection molding machines. Additional assembly, decorating and packaging functions are also available to customize a complete automation system.

Eight basic models of the T-Series traverse-beam robots are offered for removal of molded components from the mold area. Systems are designed to improve productivity through precise part placement, sprue removal, gate cutting and other secondary operations. Product reject rates are reduced through mold-removal sequences. Optional telescoping and dual vertical-arm models are available for specialized applications. Servo-controlled models are available for applications requiring increased flexibility or complexity of operations. A wide variety of primary and secondary operation end-of-arm tooling is custom engineered for specific applications.

The RSL Series sprue picker is designed for removal of the sprue and runner systems from the mold area. Units offer high-speed operation with cushioned vertical and horizontal strokes, and steel construction provides for reliable service lifetimes. Units provide a runner confirmation switch located in the gripper jaw and offer optional wrist rotation for specialized runner placement.

TOKICO AMERICA, INC.

Company's Armstar robots are designed for spray painting, finishing, blowoff/cleaning and seam sealing applications. Robots are operational worldwide in such diverse industries as automotive electronics, appliances and plastics.

Company supplies both hydraulic and electric-powered manipulators with microprocessor control, ancillary painting and sealing equipment, customer demonstrations, application engineering, installation, training, startup, and spareparts inventory.

VENTAX ROBOT INC.

Injection molding parts removers come in three size ranges for presses from 300 to 6000 tons, capable of handling parts weighing 1.1 to 110 lb. Robots are powered by electricity and air, and have a free-standing control station that can store up to 10 programs, with extra storage on cassette or EEPROM cartridge.

WITTMANN ROBOT & AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

Provides a variety of solutions for automating injection molding operations. Primary product is a broad range of high-quality robot systems ranging in size from 30 to 5000 tons. In addition, company provides secondary equipment for turnkey startups or for automated integration of existing operations. Design assistance, end-of-arm tooling, field training and service are available and suited for both large multimachine facilities and small custom-molding operations. The majority of company's robots are fitted to previously installed injection molding machines and offer both vertical- and side-entry robots for every tonnage machine, choice of electric and pneumatic drives, easy-to-use controls with built-in diagnostics, and rigid construction, assuring reliable and consistent performance.

YK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Offers sprue pickers or part-removal robots built in the U.S. for presses from 10 to 1000 tons and equipped with self-diagnostic features. Arm-lock system is provided for safety and prevention of damage to the arm and the mold. Any sequence change of arm motions can be programmed using EPROM card.

For the sprue picker, the mold open-time is 0.5 sec for 100-ton presses. Company offers 12 switch-selectable arm motions as standard.

For part-removal robots, a d-c motor is used for traverse motion and degating. Spot-facing will be available.

YUSHIN AMERICA, INC.

Manufactures robots for plastics injection molding. The three lines offered are:

* HOPII/Sprue Picker series, featuring a hand-held controller with diagnostics, preprogrammed sequences, and digital timers, available for molding machines from 5 to 500 tons.

* YK/Traversing series is available for molding machines from 50 to 2000 tons. Axis drives are all pneumatic, all a-c servo, or a combination of the two. Controls feature reprogrammability, timers, and diagnostics. Low-headroom models are also available.

* SX/side-entry series supports applications with high-speed molding such as data packaging parts. These robots are excellent for "clean rooms" and low overhead clearance. Units are servo-motor driven and are available for 50- to 400-ton injection molding machines.

Company provides sales, service, parts, and engineering to support its products. [Data Sheets Omitted]