Robots: product lines reviewed.

APL ROBOTICS CORP.

Offers a complete line of precision, multi-axis robotic equipment. In addition to computer-controlled pick-and-place and dispensing equipment, company provides a variety of waterjet cutting systems for precision trimming of cloth, wood, plastic and foam. Equipment design features a "fixed tool point" head that rotates and tilts around a fixed point with no need to compensate x, y and z axes. Company says this simplifies programming and shortens execution times for complex motions.

ASI ROBOTIC SYSTEMS SUB. OF ACCURATIO SYSTEMS, INC.

Company offers gantry-style CNC controller systems with up to six axes of motion for high-pressure waterjet cutting, laser cutting, adhesive dispensing, pick-and-place, and welding. Turnkey system integration for all processes is available.

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.

ACCOPE INDUSTRIES, INC.

Now Hitech Accope Industries, Inc.

ACCURATIO SYSTEMS, INC.

See ASI Robotic Systems.

APPLICATION AUTOMATION 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 with a wide range of controllers, expert tooling design and construction, factory installation, maintenance training, part support and total system capability. Over 50 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.

AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT CO.

Offers a gantry robot for machine loading/unloading with pneumatic and servo electric drive. Designs will handle weights from a few pounds to several hundred pounds. Each unit has its own unique end-effector (end-of-arm tooling).

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 approx. 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 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 and 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 AC 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 applications. The long reach (102 in.) and 300|degrees~ 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.

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, 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.

CBW AUTOMATION

Company's T-190 "Slingshot" take-out robot, which automatically removes molded parts, is built from sophisticated space-age composites. It weighs less than 3 lb, travels at 44 ft/sec and completes a 42-in. stroke in 150 millisec. System is designed to hand off parts to the secondary transfer unit, which then has a full cycle time to perform the transfer function. Unit is suited to multi-cavity molds with hot-runner systems and cycle times from 4 to 15 sec.

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 a wide range of robots designed for injection molding machines:

* New Sepro line for presses from 100 to 500 tons are CNC-controlled with AC brushless servo drives and are maintenance-free, according to the company. Units include a four line alphanumeric display, said to simplify operation, programming and troubleshooting. High-speed servo drive allows a max. instantaneous linear speed as high as 78 in./sec on some models; and with simultaneous combined movements on the three axes, trajectory speed of 137 in./sec is achievable. Company says the robots are simple to program; up to nine different programs can be stored. Optional downloading to and from a PC is also available, as well as communications with a central computer network.

* Harmo EX parts-removal Series is available in six models for injection machines from 10 to 500 ton, with take-out times from 0.6 to 1.4 sec. Series offers standard features such as adjustable height, main-arm safety lock, self-lubricating, oil-free cylinders, and microprocessor controls with digital set times.

* HIM beam-style Series, an up, out and traverse-style robot is suitable for 150- to 300-ton molding machines. Since the HIM can accommodate up to five discharge locations in any of three planes, it facilitates post-molding automation such as printing/packaging, indexing or assembly. The wide-footprint mounting maximizes the traverse-beam support while minimizing vibration.

Company also offers other domestically produced series.

ELECTRA FORM, INC.

Manufactures post-mold cooling systems for rapid removal and handling of PET preforms. PMC Systems reduce cycle time and increase productivity and are available in side-out or top-out models. With end-of-arm tooling capabilities for 16-, 24-, 32-, and 48-cavity preform molds, the system is adaptable to many different injection molding machines.

Company also manufactures pick-and-place systems, soft drop part-handling systems, part-removal conveyors, and other specialty equipment for injection molders.

The EFI-V Series and EFI-H Series pick-and-place systems are for horizontal injection molding machines. Automated turnkey molding systems are available.

ENGEL MACHINERY INC.

Offers part- or sprue-removal robots and handling equipment for injection molding. Units feature rugged construction with hardened guides, maintenance-free drive systems, rapid acceleration and deceleration, freely programmable strokes with data storage, automatic end-of-arm tool-changing capability, and a modular track-planning system, which makes simultaneous movement of all axes possible. This optimizes all stroke distances and shortens removal times. An integrated safety feature prevents entry into restricted zones. Portable control units with "teach programs" are available, along with service, training and parts support.

Four types are available:

* S-Type for clamp ranges from 55 to 250 tons, with three axes, and a combination of AC motors and pneumatic drive.

* P-Type for clamp ranges from 150 to 1300 tons, with three axes, and three-phase servo motors.

* N-Type for clamp sizes from 900 to 4000 tons, with three axes, and three-phase servo motors.

* H-Type for clamp sizes from 900 to 4000 tons, with two axes (side-entry), and three-phase servo motors.

HAMA USA INC.

Offers Hama Corp.'s (Japan) HM-8000 and HM-2000 robots for injection molding gate cutting and case packing.

* HM-8000 Axis Control Gate Cut robot is available with four programmable axes that reportedly increase the accuracy and quality of each cut. Detailed programming is possible through a microprocessor teaching box that allows storage of up to 20 programmed cutting procedures (each containing up to 90 individual process steps). Programs are easily erased, altered or updated. Standard accessories include: chuck head, pneumatic nipper unit with one standard blade, runner-position fixing jig, chute, photo sensor, air regulator, stand with casters and stabilizers, emergency stop, and acrylic safety guards.

Options available include an eight-bin rotary divider, four-chute traversing divider, twin nippers with double chutes, special nippers for engineering plastics, heated nipper with hydraulic system, and a picker interlocking system.

* HM-2000 Caser robot offers complete automation from box feed through multilayer packing to a discharge conveyor. It is synchronized through an interlocking system to work with a traversing picker-and-pin or submarine-gate molder. Standard accessories include: microprocessor teaching box for up to two programs (each containing up to 30 steps), control panel, feeding conveyor, discharging roller conveyor, layer cardboard stocker and feeder, lifting table, vacuum or grip head, casters and stabilizers, emergency stop, alarm system with signal lights and buzzer, and air regulator. An overnight "no-man" control system with box-feeding and box-stacking devices is optional.

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 Apex press-mounted units have fast operating times from 0.7 to 1.4 sec. Models are available to carry loads from 2.2 to 4.4 lb and include 90|degrees~ wrist rotation. A programmable controller is included with robots, and the microprocessor provides simple settings and reliable, repeatable operation.

HITECH ACCOPE INDUSTRIES, INC.

Provides robots specifically designed for vertical compression 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 ensure 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 maintenance.

HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.

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 up to five axes of motion. Drive options include manual, air, electric and servo. Robots are designed for a range of payloads up to 550 lb and are available for machines ranging from 150 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 part-removal. Systems for tray loading of technical parts, including cassettes, compact disc cases, and custom-designed units for cutlery, floppy disk shells, video cassettes, petri dishes and similar items, are also available. Equipment is integrated with machine's microprocessor when installed on a Husky machine. For non-Husky machines, a free-standing controller is available. Microprocessor screens are customized for the specific parts-handling application.

A series of top-entry injection molding robots with a turret-style base offers the flexibility of removing parts to either side of the press. Designed for longer presses and parts, these robots come in payload capacities of 55, 165, 330 and 550 lb and are available with various stroke lengths, and with pneumatic, AC electric, stepper-motor, or servomotor drives. Turret series is suited to removing deep-draw parts from large presses, because the robot's stroke is also used to strip parts from the mold. The turret robot works well with quick-mold-change systems, because the robot can be retracted clear of the inside face of the stationary platen.

IMS CO.

Offers four low-cost pneumatic mold sweeps for automatic, high-speed knockout of part and runner or sprue. Heavy-duty units offer stroke lengths of 17, 27, or 33 1/4 in. and can also be used for automatic mold-release application. Mini mold sweeps are designed for small presses up to 14 oz.

LAROS EQUIPMENT CO., INC.

Two sprue/part extractors for small machines (up to 35-oz shot capacity) provide extraction times of 1.5-2.0 sec. Logic controller includes digital timers 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|degrees~ wrist swivel is available. Units are manufactured by Tenso, also offering traverse-oscillating robots.

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 top of the stationary platen for fast and consistent part 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 with 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 control of the remover and interface to the molding machine. The controller allows quick setups and flexibility for short-run molding. Eagle Series units are designed and manufactured in the U.S., utilizing standard American-made components throughout.

S. T. MONFORTE ROBOTICS, INC.

Complete robotic systems include:

* Model R12 five-axis articulated robot arm system with 2.2 lb payload and 26-in. arm extension. Applications include packaging, small-parts handling, pharmaceuticals, assembly, masking, gluing, testing, inspection, quality control and gauging.

* Model R15 three-to-five axis cartesian track robot system with a 4.4 to 48 lb payload (configuration dependent) and a 2-40 ft closed-loop extension. Applications include conveyorized manufacturing, assembly, clean-room, packaging, pharmaceuticals, wet-bench, gluing, painting, water jet, laser, palletizing, materials handling, and machine loading.

* Model R17, a five-axis articulated arm system with an 8.8-lb payload, 31.5-in. closed-loop reach. Applications include packaging, loading, assembly, pharmaceuticals, gluing, testing, spraying, quality control, and hazardous environments.

All systems come complete with a K11R controller, hand-held teach pendants, manuals, hoses, cables, Roboforth II software, and RS232 interface. Voice control and many other options are available.

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, Robot-world 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.

Company's S304S robot, designed specifically for palletizing, is said to be capable of reaching speeds as high as 900 workpieces/hr. Unit has a 66.3-lb payload capacity, |+ or -~1.0-mm repeatability, reach of 74.8 in., and unburdened speed of 155 in./sec. Return to the home position is not required because an absolute encoder detects position.

NU-TEC CORP.

Offers a full line of injection molding part-removal robots for 25- to 5000-ton machines. Specific models include the Sprint Sprue-Picker pneumatic robot series and the H&F programmable electric traverse-beam rectilinear 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 robot arms for injection machines from 50 to 3000 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. Sprue pickers for 15- to 500-ton conveyors and custom automation systems also are engineered and supplied.

Company offers an SP series of sprue pickers. The SP-450 for injection presses from 25 to 150 tons boasts a minimum cycle time of 3 sec and max. payload of 3.5 lb. The SP-650 for presses from 150 to 300 tons has a minimum cycle time of 3.5 sec and max. payload of 11 lb. The latter has a two-stage vertical cylinder for increased stability and low overhead clearance. Other features of the SP series include dual guide tubes, multiple sequence selection and thumbwheel timer controls. Options include 90|degrees~ flip wrist and vacuum system.

PEERLESS AUTOMATION CO.

Offers its UHS Robot, a vertical-arm parts-remover that uses a telescopic arm to increase speed while decreasing required space. The robot is mounted on a boom that can be moved from the mold area during changeovers, and offers three-speed movement to allow for slowdowns in and out of the mold area and gentle release of product. The robot reportedly can move twice as fast as many other robots, while requiring half the space. It is said to be particularly well suited to plants with low ceilings. Controlled pneumatically, the UHS Robot is said to have a low vibration along its three axes of movement.

PENTEL OF AMERICA, LTD.

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

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. 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 a wide range of small- to medium-size parts.

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

POLYMER SYSTEMS INC.

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 Wood Dale plant.

Company's Proline series robots are used on 50- to 3000-ton molding machines. Apex 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|degrees~ wrist turns, degates, and thermoset molding applications.

RAM CENTER, INC.

Manufactures its Simplicity RC 1 robot. The three-axis unit has a Japanese THK precision linear bearing on the traversing axis, said to provide smooth motion. Electric servo drive for closed-loop position control is standard on the traverse axis and optional on the other two (pneumatic is standard). Standard unit has 54-in. traverse, 24-in. vertical range, and 9-in. horizontal stripper movement. Traverse can be extended to 120-in. and vertical motion to 48-in. Speeds are 20-30 in./sec. Maximum payload, including tooling, is 40 lb. The unit can serve both sides of a press, offers 0.01-in. repeatability, is fully programmable using a menu-driven touchscreen control, which can be remote mounted via umbilical connections, and which can also be "taught" a program by being jogged slowly through the sequence and then instructed to "remember" it.

REIS MACHINES, INC.

Manufactures a wide range of general-purpose, jointed-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. Company specializes in complete turnkey automation systems and takes full responsibility from pre-engineering to startup.

ROBOT TECHNOLOGY CORP.

Manufactures take-out robots under a technology sharing agreement with Pioneer Industrial Corp. of Taiwan. Its Robotec line includes eight sizes of traversing robots for presses up to 2000-ton clamp force, and two sizes of swing-type pickers for presses up to 400 tons. Company will also design and manufacture custom tooling, degating stations and beside-the-press automation machinery to work in conjunction with its robots.

SMI AUTOMATION INC.

Manufactures custom automation equipment and is also a systems application center for Hitachi jointed-arm robots and 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.

New products include SMI Merlin pick-and-place units with controller, and SMI Merlin servo torque and angle auto screw drive systems.

STAR AUTOMATION INC. (S.A.I.)

The U.S. arm of a Japanese firm offering automated traverse robot and sprue pickers for injection molding. Included in product line are automated guided vehicles, automated palletizers, and precision product assembly robots.

Company's patented two-stage, synchronized, belt-driven product-removal arm is manufactured with an AC servo-electric motor and pneumatic cylinders. The robot uses a microprocessor controller to remove, stack and box parts. A precise and flexible end-of-arm-tool (EOAT) is attached to the lower portion of the arm to remove parts and degate runners from the parts. The EOAT may comprise air nippers, cylinders and suction assemblies; and can be adapted for difficult part-removal jobs. Redundant switches, in addition to the interface with the machine, are employed for error-free product removal.

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. 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.

Offers a complete line of automation equipment for injection molding. Part and sprue removal robots, assembly, decorating and packaging equipment are provided for the design of complete automation systems.

S-Series sprue picker is designed for removal of parts or runners from the mold area of 25- to 700-ton machines. Units offer reliable, operator-friendly high-speed operation. A hand-held control pendant offers easy setup with diagnostics and preset sequence selections, and features a "teach" capability, which allows sequences to be custom designed. Long-stroke units feature a telescoping vertical arm for reduced overhead and increased speed.

Traverse-style robots are available in various configurations from the three-axis all-pneumatic STS Series, the STM and STL Series with frequency drive on the traverse axis, to the all-servo STR robot and larger SEL Series. Allen-Bradley controls are standard on all units except servo units. A Bosch CNC control system allows full control of servo robot sequence and positioning. A wide variety of end-of-arm tooling is custom-engineered for specific applications.

Company offers complete installation, training, and service.

SYSTEM GOSEWEHR USA

Firm offers a complete line of German robots and automation systems for injection molding. Available are: stand-alone robots, insert-loading units, parts removers, and turnkey systems for a range of products and downstream operations. Units range from simple all-pneumatic types to electric-drive units with CNC controls.

TOKICO (USA) 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 turnkey finishing systems with both hydraulic and electric-powered manipulators and microprocessor control, ancillary painting and sealing equipment, customer demonstrations, application engineering, installation, training, startup, and spare-parts inventory.

VENTAX ROBOT INC.

Manufactures robots, sprue pickers and downstream automation. Robots are standard or custom-built to cover injection molding machines ranging from 50 to 400 tons. Robot configurations include side-entry, up-and-out, pick-and-place, stacking, box loading and palletizing equipment. Drive systems include pneumatic, electric and servo. Company offers flexible, complete automation tailored to specific requirements.

WELLTEC U.S.A., INC.

Manufactures Cosmo line of sprue-picker and traversing robots in a wide range of models. The sprue and parts-removal A/F series accommodates injection molding machines from 50 to 350 tons. Robots feature hard-chrome-plated guide rods with oilless brushes to ensure low-maintenance operation, electro/pneumatic rotary drive for precise control, and hand-held programming unit for quick and easy setup.

Cosmo traversing series injection molding machines handles load weights from 0.5 to 15 lb. In addition to multiple grippers for parts and sprues, these units offer parts-safety sensors, infrared safety sensors for mold protection, portable control units, and a complete array of icon-based and easy-to-program functions.

WITTMANN ROBOT & AUTOMATION SYSTEMS, INC.

Provides a variety of solutions for automating injection molding operations. Primary product is a broad range of high-quality robot systems for presses 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 company's robots 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 optional "teach-in" CNC control. All robots have rigid construction, assuring reliable and consistent performance.

Model W500 machine-mounted robot for large presses can handle parts up to 220 lb. Unit has a horizontal stroke up to 315 in., vertical stroke to 118 in., and horizontal stripping stroke to 79 in. It can remove parts to either side of the press and has a standard gripper rotation of 90|degrees~. Hand-held pendant microprocessor controller offers teach-in-programming and removable EEPROM modules for program storage.

YK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Offers sprue pickers or part-removal robots built in the U.S. for presses from 10 to 1000 tons. Units are 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 onto an EPROM card.

For the sprue picker, 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 DC motor is used for traverse motion and degating. Spot-facing will be available.

YAMAHA MOTOR CORP., U.S.A.

Offers its new FXY series of arm-type cartesian robots designed for lightweight applications requiring speed and flexibility. The FXY series is especially suited for sealing or bonding operations and lightweight pick-and-place functions. The line consists of standard x and y axes with the option of adding a pneumatic z axis. Maximum load capacity is 7 lb. X and y axis maximum speeds are 47 in./sec and stroke lengths range from 6 to 26 in.

Other products include company's Scara and single-axis robots, as well as input devices. Typical applications are in the manufacture of computers, appliances, small engines, and electronics.

YUSHIN AMERICA, INC.

Company manufactures robots for injection molding:

* HOPIII/Sprue Picker series, featuring a hand-held controller with diagnostics, 44 preprogrammed sequences, digital timers, and storage of 99 mold setups, available for molding machines from 5 to 500 tons.

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

* SX/Side-Entry series supports applications in 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 support.