Robots.

ABB FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION INC.

Automation systems for forming, finishing, assembly, and coating processes, specializing in robotic systems for injection molding machines; deburring and cutting of parts; adhesive dispensing and component assembly; and spray coating, as well as parts handling, routing and palletizing.

AEC/APPLICATION AUTOMATION

Complete line of robots from simple Excel series sprue pickers to sophisticated Titan II traversing robots. Over 50 different models from pneumatic to servo motor driven axes with a range of controllers from PLC to CNC servo control for applications on molding machines from 20 to 4000 tons.

Fast, durable and easy-to-use Excel series sprue pickers offer quick cycle time in molding automation for 20- to 500-ton molding machines. Flexible hand-held controller provides standard preprogrammed sequence options and easy-to-follow program sequence. No tools required for strip stroke adjustment. Ratcheting handle allows the unit to pivot out of the way for fast mold changes.

AST series pneumatic traverse robots provide cost-effective, reliable and flexible part and sprue removal for two- and three-plate molds on 50- to 500-ton machines. Allow for multistop part drop positioning. Microprocessor-based control programmed via easy-to-use hand-held pendant with LCD display.

Phaser series traverse robots with three-axis motor drive offer fast, precise part handling with a variety of control options for 75- to 700-ton injection molding machines. Encoder positioning on each axis allows complete position, multiple-stop, and stroke adjustment from operator control pendant. Units can handle to 22 lb and include two pressure grip circuits, vacuum grip circuit, platen mounting spacer, and 90 [degrees] wrist flip with 110 inch pounds of torque.

PC Servo control offers a flexible servo control and efficient frequency drives with easy-to-use and fully teachable hand-held pendant. Optional PLC control programmed with hand-held control pendant with touch keypad and display screen. Interactive software includes sub-menus for easy operation, plus diagnostics, program error alerts, and help screens.

Phaser also available with full CNC servo control. Mechanical options include additional grip/nipper circuits, telescopic vertical stroke, 90 [degrees] or 180 [degrees] A-axis wrist rotation and below centerline part release.

Interceptor series offers rugged, precise part handling in a compact, versatile design for 700- to 2000-ton injection molding machines. Three-axis motor drive traverse robot has standard two-stage telescoping arm with rack and pinion drive and secondary belt drive. Designed with minimum overhead clearance and has a compact wrist and arm to help reduce mold open distance. Standard features include below-centerline part placement, two pressure grip circuits, venturi vacuum kit, 90 [degrees] wrist flip, and platen mounting spacer.

Interceptors available with three control/drive options, which includes a standard PC Servo control that offers the flexibility of completely teaching sequences along with the efficiency of AC frequency drives. Also a teachable PLC control utilizes frequency motors with encoder positioning along with preprogrammed movements and sequences. Three-axis CNC servo control system offers high speed and accuracy for stacking and palletizing applications.

Complete automation solutions, systems and services. On-going service support both in installation, startup, training, and parts supply. (See ad p. 307.)

AIRLOCK MANUFACTURING CO.

Gantry-type robots used for loading charges into vertical compression presses and unloading molded parts; feeding thermoplastic sheet blanks into a preheated oven; and transferring parts from station to station in post-molding operations.

ALLIANCE AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

Specializes in engineered manufacturing systems, including design and construction of automated turnkey injection molding systems. Complete system integration for manufacturing, assembly, testing, welding and molding includes robotic assembly and test system integration, robot cell installations, and vision-guided robotic systems. Engineering services, project management, and planning assistance with emphasis on successful system startup and reliable long-term operation.

ALVEY, INC.

Gantry robot for machine loading/unloading and carton palletizing with servo electric drive, and end-of-arm tooling. Handles weights from a few pounds to several hundred pounds.

APPLICATION AUTOMATION See AEC/Application Automation.

APPLIED ROBOTICS

Product line includes tool changers; collision sensors with dynamically variable trip points; single-axis compliancy devices for assembly verification; a full line of connectors, grippers, vacuum products, and accessories; and a single-axis force sensor with on-board electronics that ties directly to work cell's I/O.

ASG AUTOMATION SERVICES GROUP

Sprue pickers and traversing robots for injection molding. Model SP-650 picker for machines up to 650 tons drops sprues and/or lightweight parts on either side of the machine. Equipped with standard two-finger gripper and product-confirmation sensor. Vacuum gripper optional. PLC control comes with hand-held pendant, four selectable motion patterns.

Shuttlestar traversing robots come in two series - one for up to 500-ton machines, the other for up to 1500 tons. Servo drive with encoder feedback on horizontal traverse axis plus pneumatic drive on other two axes. Wrist rotation of 90 [degrees], pressure/vacuum gripper circuits, and product confirmation. Extruded aluminum construction with telescoping vertical axis, linear-bearing guideways, and self-lubricated cylinders. Also programmable sequences and synchronized ejector control.

ASI ROBOTIC SYSTEMS A FLOW INTERNATIONAL CO.

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 available.

ATM AUTOMATION

Designs and installs robotics and automation systems for injection molding. Manufactures a range of high-quality, cost-effective robotic equipment covering a range of functions from simple sprue/parts removal to sophisticated programmable operations in several axes. Can be electrically or pneumatically driven.

Standard line of robots for injection molding machines ranging to over 3000 tons. Line includes sprue pickers; vertical-entry, three,axis pick-and-place robots; and side,entry pick-and-place robots. Units available in all-pneumatic models, all-electric drive models, or a combination of pneumatics and electrics; and can be customized.

Two versions of electric robots: frequency drive and servo drive. Line of robot controls maximizes flexibility of operator interface. Operator can now teach positions, teach and modify sequences, and vary motor speed using a hand-held pendant.

Specializes in custom automation systems including installation for insert molding feedup and loading, downstream operations such as degating and deflashing, inspection and weighing procedures, bending, dosing, sorting, labelling, counting, packing, and onward conveying. Total turnkey systems designed, built and installed.

AUTOMATED ASSEMBLIES CORP.

Designs and manufactures robotics and factory automation systems for injection molding. Range of products from simple sprue pickers to technologically demanding robotics and automation solutions such as a servo robot servicing multiple presses and micro floppy disk assembly systems.

Range of robotics devices designed for use in horizontal as well as vertical injection molding applications with clamp forces from 20 to 5000 tons. Controllers utilize a common software architecture that enables the user to communicate with the robot using simple English or other language commands.

AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT CO. See Alvey, Inc.

BATTENFELD OF AMERICA

Unirob linear part extractors are independently operable, multiple-axis, general-purpose parts-handling devices for use on various injection molding machines in a variety of applications.

Line includes standard units with parts-handling capabilities of up to 110 lb. Custom-engineered units available for more than 200 lb. Standard for smaller units are programmable, electrically driven primary axes, together with pneumatic auxiliary axes. Servo-driven primary and auxiliary axes optionally available to meet more demanding parts-handling requirements. Primary-axis drives utilize linear beatings 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 available with a single mounting pedestal or two mounting pedestals to provide a gantry-like parts-handling device for maximum part-placement flexibility.

BERMER TOOL & DIE, INC.

Automation equipment for injection molding includes standard and custom mold wipers, sprue pickers and part-removal units. Lift tongs for moving or separation of molds provide a safe accurate simulation of mold opening and help prevent costly mold damage.

BUCHER, INC. SUB. OF FAHR BUCHER

Robots especially adapted for thermoset injection molded part removal and for loading inserts into horizontal thermoset injection molding machines from 100 to 1000 tons, and for single- or multiple-cavity molds.

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

Insert-loading systems 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. Typical product application is the loading of copper shells for motor commutators into 16-cavity tools for total cycle times of 50 seconds.

CARLISLE MACHINE WORKS, INC.

Pick-and-place, gantry, Scara and six-axis articulated robots for containers. PackIt gantry robot packs bottles in cartons to 30 x 30 x 30 in. with a cycle time of 6-8 sec. Bottles can be placed vertically, base down or up, horizontally, or in combination. Rows can be nested. Sheet cutter allows for sheets between rows. Slipsheet inserter provides slipsheets between levels. System adaptable to other products.

CBW AUTOMATION

High-capacity unscrambling and re-orientation-type stacking machines for containers and lids collect falling parts and automatically reorganize them into handleable stacks ready for manual or semi-automatic packaging.

High-speed carbon fiber Slingshot robots for either side-entry or top-entry applications can usually retrieve parts from a mold as fast or faster than they can fall free by gravity. Built for both single-face and stack molds as well as form and trim-in-place thermoformers, robots form the basic platform for downstream automation systems for assembling, stacking, welding, decorating, layer packing, carton filling, dispensing, palletizing, wrapping, and storing.

THE CONAIR GROUP, INC.

Offers its own U.S.-built robots and markets Sepro servo-driven robots (Conair/Sepro), as well as Harmo product line (Conair/Harmo). Pick-and-place robots (sprue pickers) include Harmo's EX and FX series, which can remove payloads to 4.4 lb from 5- to 500-ton machines, depending on model. FX units include remote kick stroke as standard, vertical arm adjustment as an option, and remote pendant with 10-program storage for floor-level programming. Compact, extruded aluminum frame and arm design provides additional rigidity at high speeds on the FX series. Both EX and FX models have a 0.6 sec takeout time, and each series allows fast end-of-arm tooling changes.

Cam-operated Grabber and Zip Cam robots use a helical cam and clamp motion for high-speed part/runner removal and separation. Grabber operates on machines from 28 to 500 tons. Zip Cam is suitable for thin parts and 100- to 500-ton machines.

Harmo HCR pneumatic, pick-and-place robots (identified as "picker on a beam") for machines from 40-80 tons include models for part removal from two-plate molds and two-arm models for three-plate molds.

Beam robots include high-speed Harmo HE series in a number of electric horizontal drive models for machines to 700 tons. Units can remove payloads to 22 lb. Durable aluminum extrusion arm and kick frame design and high-speed a-c motor drive with encoder feedback on horizontal provide fast and precise part placement. Controls include hand-held pendant with multiple program storage. Additional capabilities include remote adjustments of vertical and kick axes for operator safety.

Quantum three-axis beam robots are economically priced, pneumatic robots for presses to 500 tons and have payloads to 30 lb. Units feature a modular, extruded aluminum kick frame and vertical arm. A 10-in. kick stroke and 90 [degrees] wrist flip are standard. Optional a-c frequency drive available for horizontal axis. Units come with a teach-programmable Mitsubishi FX control. Allen-Bradley controls are optional.

Conair Sepro P.I.P. servo robots for 75- to 9000-ton machines feature a freely programmable CNC controller, which has virtually limitless sequence possibilities, including palletizing. Controller can store up to 99 programs on internal EEPROM with IBM PC connection that makes actual storage capabilities limitless. Robot provides simultaneous operation of multiple axes for greater speed and flexibility. Maintenance-free bearing system and high-speed a-c brushless servo motors can generate speeds to 196 ft/sec while being repeatable within 0.004 in.

ELECTRA FORM, INC.

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

ENGEL CANADA INC. ENGEL MACHINERY INC.

Part- and sprue-removal equipment for injection molding machines from 40 to 4000 tons.

ERC robots for machines from 60 to 4000 tons are high-precision, high-speed servo robots with a rugged mechanical structure, maintenance-free a-c servo drives, simultaneous movement of all linear and rotary axes, and a freely-programmable teach program for position, speed, time, and I/O control. Portable teach pendant with LCD display allows for easy robot setup from within a 24-ft radius of operator interface station.

ERC software minimizes robot travel time by calculating the shortest point-to-point travel distance. User-defined robot work area prevents the robot from colliding with the machine. Troubleshooting is facilitated by displaying machine and robot errors on the same screen. Data storage and retrieval of machine and robot parameters is done on the same floppy disk.

Options include nonstandard strokes on all linear axes, telescoping axes for plants with low ceilings, rotary modules for part orientation, end-of-arm tooling for part insertion and removal, and integration of up- or downstream peripheral equipment into robot control.

ERA sprue picker for machines from 40 to 100 tons features three pneumatic axes and removes lightweight parts or sprues for placement inside or outside machine guarding. Controls may be integrated into the Engel control, accomplished via PC controller, or tied into a PLC control when picker is not dedicated to one machine.

ER-TL robots, dedicated to Engel tiebarless machines from 40- to 100-ton clamp force, are designed to place parts and/or sprues on a conveyor integrated in machine frame. The side-entry-type units feature three pneumatically driven axes and have adjustable strokes to accommodate varying mold heights and part thicknesses.

FANUC ROBOTICS NORTH AMERiCA 

Automated process solutions for applications including material handling, assembly, material removal, welding, cutting, painting, dispensing, palletizing, and packing. Systems consist of reliable robots, easy-to-use software, high-quality hardware, and other process-related equipment.

HAMA USA INC.

HM-8000, HM-2000, and HM-4000 robots for injection molding gate cutting and case packing from Hama Corp. of Japan.

HM-8000 gate-cutting robot with four programmable axes provides detailed programming through a microprocessor teaching box that allows storage of up to 20 programmed cutting procedures (each containing up to 90 individual process steps). Programs 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 include 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 multi-layer 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.

HM-4000 bottle-casing robot for packing any size and shape of blow molded bottles at rates to 100 bottles/min and stacking in corrugated boxes can pack in staggered rows with more bottles in one row than in another. Layer material can be placed over each layer of bottles. Unit comes complete with empty box in-feed conveyor and a packed box exit conveyor. Minicomputer control allows multiple packing-job programs to be stored.

HITECH ACCOPE INDUSTRIES, INC.

Robots specifically designed for vertical compression molding presses. A carriage telescopes into the open daylight, carrying new material charges in with it. Loading of phenolic, melamine, or polyester BMC materials accomplished with load cups or loading boards. Granular or preform load systems available. Charge placement in the mold can be precise when using preforms or BMC charges. Company's BMC extruder can be used to presize polyester BMC for loading. Preheating systems available for phenolics and melamines, and other thermosets. An air blast or optional brushes are used for mold cleaning. Part removal accomplished after ejection from the top or bottom by suction cups, grippers, comb, or drop board. Parts 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.

A range of servo robots specific to injection molding suitable for various applications including free-standing side-entry robots for PET preforms and top-entry robots for general-purpose molding.

Free-standing side-entry robots are capable of payloads to 660 lb for the highest cavitation PET systems. Patented water-cooled take-out plates provide faster molding cycles by allowing parts to cool outside the mold.

General-purpose robots are capable of payloads to 264 lb, with up to 6 axes of motion. Programming accomplished by a menu-driven control system that uses standard molding terminology (mold open, mold close, etc.). Absolute Part Tracking (APT) option allows robot to follow the motion of clamp to reduce cycle time for deep draw parts.

IMS CO.

Two low-cost pneumatic mold sweeps for automatic, high-speed knockout of part and runner or sprue. Heavy-duty units with stroke lengths of 17 or 35 in. can also be used for automatic mold-release applications. (See ad p. 283.)

ISI AUTOMATION INC.

Builds linear and area gantry robots for press loading and parts removal. Systems for vertical and horizontal injection and compression presses can have pneumatic and/or electric servo-driven axes, as well as wrist rotation when needed. Modular construction from standardized. off-the-shelf components is said to keep costs competitive. Company integrates complete systems from its own components and end-of-arm tooling.

Also automation systems for loading and unloading materials such as SMC and GMT in and out of large hydraulic vertical compression molding presses. For handling reinforced plastics, ISI provides part-processing automation through cooling, routing, drilling, gluing and bonding stations as part of a complete manufacturing cell.

ISI NORGREN

Specializes in end-of-arm tooling and vacuum management systems for parts-handling robots. Standardized, off-the-shelf components are said to keep costs competitive.

ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION

Variety of robots offered by Italian manufacturers.

KAWAGUCHI AMERICA, LTD.

K-Cut gate-cutting robot completes gate cutting and sorting within injection molding cycle time. Unit has five-axis movement directed by a computer control system and teaching pendant for programming movements and steps of complete operation. Program can be revised for optimal speed, precision, sorting options, or any other change. An auto-program function allows for automatic routine programming, leaving only the essential steps of an operation to be entered. K-Cut will store up to 20 product management programs and has a set-aside memory for copying programs or recovering inadvertent deletions. Each program can contain up to 100 steps. Program memory protected by battery backup.

KFD SALES & SERVICE, INC.

Remak robot systems range from sprue pickers to large gantry robots with payloads of 220 lb. RX and RF series robots provide up to five-axis capability for use with injection molding presses from 50 to 400 tons. Other systems available with up to six axes for presses from 400 to 4500 tons used in automotive and appliance industries.

MARK 2 AUTOMATION, INC.

Automated part- and runner-removal equipment for injection molding machines includes Eagle EC sprue pickers; ES heavy-duty, swing-type removers for part or runner removal; and EL2 traverse-type units. All models fully pneumatic, mounted on top of the stationary platen for fast and consistent part or runner removal. Servo electric drives optional on EL series. Standard sizes range from 18 to 25 in. on the EC series for presses up to about 200 tons, and 18 to 40 in. of vertical stroke on ES series for machines to 750 tons. EL units include standard models with up to 84-in. vertical stroke and 132-in. traverse stroke for automation of presses to 2000 tons. Also larger units for higher tonnage machines. All units include microprocessor control of the remover and interface to the molding machine. Controller allows quick setups and flexibility for short-run molding. Eagle units designed and manufactured in the U.S., utilizing standard American-made components.

MARVEL EQUIPMENT CORP.

Turnkey automation systems for compression molding of SMC and reinforced thermoplastics (GMT). Builds press loaders/unloaders, transfer robots, and magazine feeders for blanks of SMC or GMT sheet. Complete systems integration.

MOTOMAN

Provides complete robotic solutions for applications, which include arc welding, assembly, clean room, dispensing, material cutting, material handling, material removal, painting, and spot welding. Stand-alone robots, robotic application packages, standard "World" systems and turnkey custom systems backed by company's world-class customer support.

Robot models for trimming in waterjet cutting applications such as automotive interior components. Robots are suitable for handling and trimming injection molded parts, and for routing and drilling automotive bumpers, whirlpool tubs, water sports equipment, protective sports gear, and truck cabs and berliners.

Robots also used in press-tending applications, specifically loading thermoformed plastic sheets into punch presses.

MTM SYSTEMS

Automated container removal for stretch-blow molding machines using the 2022 robot removal arm. For further automation the 2022AP packs erected cartons. Palletizing can be added to complete the line. Controlled by a PC-based system utilizing closed-loop digital servo drives, which provide flexibility and precision. Operator interface continually provides production information. All inputs and outputs are accessible and displayed, as well as error conditions and current mode. System can pack any configuration of containers. Optional visual inspection systems available.

PAXON AUTOMATION, INC.

Complete line of robots including sprue picker, all pneumatic drive, a-c frequency control/pneumatic drive, and all servo drive. The flexible robots are for molding machines up to 3000 tons.

Traversing-type robots provide telescopic arms, which enhance in-and-out speed, double the mechanical life, and lower the over-head height requirement. Touchscreen operator interface. SPI robot/IMM interface is standard.

Services include installation, engineering, training, and inventory of spare parts.

PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT INC.

Sentry I Automatic Mold Sweep with stroke length from 2 to 27 in. Access and egress are variable in speed - 0.8 sec. minimum. Solid-state circuitry operates all electrical and pneumatic functions. Only moving part is the sweep arm, so that no foreign contaminants enter the process cycle. Sentry I has multiple mounting points for easy adaptation to any molding machine and weighs only 35 lb. Manual mode can be used to guarantee synchronization with operation cycle. Safety circuit prevents the mold from closing if sweep arm is not in full-up position. (See ad p. 220.)

PROCO MACHINERY INC.

Robopik single robotic gripper-arm takeout system removes containers from shuttle-style blow molding machines and orients them upright on a conveyor with the tails removed. Control system minimizes change-over. Simply enter container size to recall a previously run job and interchange one piece.

Robopik also available as part of Cyber System, a complete take-out system with integrated controls used in conjunction with deflashing, leak testing, or other operations. Cyber system utilizes Provac N.G.R. (no-guide-rails) vacuum conveyor system and Kwikchange technology for tooling changes, which allows changeover from one job to another with minimal setup and no mechanical adjustments.

RAM CENTER, INC.

Specializes in custom design and turnkey integration of robotic packaging and manufacturing systems. Broad range of robots and accessories including Adept Technologies and Fanuc Robotics for the toughest robotic applications. Complete integration services include system design, manufacturing, programming, customer run-off, installation, and service.

Applications include PET preform feeding systems, PET preform line balancing, PET bottle bulk palletizing, product case loading, case palletizing, sealant dispensing, injection molded lens removal and coating systems, and other complex injection molded parts-removal and postprocessing systems. Vision systems may be integrated into the robotic systems to provide part inspection or robot guidance. Other auxiliary equipment such as conveyors and part feeders can be integrated to completely automate production.

RANGER AUTOMATION SYSTEMS, INC.

Top- and side-entry parts-removal robots and sprue/parts pickers for injection molding machines from 50 to 5000 tons. Specializes in robots for large machines.

REGENCY SALES, INC.

Complete pneumatic and servo systems from sprue pickers to complex multifunctional tasking.

REIS MACHINES, INC.

Range of general-purpose, jointed-arm industrial robots in lift capacities from ounces to 170 lb. Floor-mounted units and overhead mounts, which can be attached directly to the stationary platen of injection machines. Specializes in complete turnkey automation systems from pre-engineering to start-up.

SANDS TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Model R15 modular cartesian (rectilinear) robot system with 3 to 5 axes and strokes from 4 in. to 15 ft. custom tailored. Payloads to 50 lb and speeds to 80 in./sec. Suitable for positioning, gluing (including hot-malt), product transfer, palletizing, clean-room, etc.

Model R16 cylindrical format arm system up to 5 axes plus linear track is suitable for small parts-handling, pharmaceuticals, and quality control.

Cost-effective Model R17 five-axis articulated arm with a reach of 30-in. and payload to 6 lb for applications, which include trimming, finishing, paint and glue spraying, flame polishing, parts-handling, etc.

All robots come complete with a controller, which is expandable with analog inputs, digital inputs and outputs. The controller, with a teachpad, is programmed with a PC via a serial port and holds programs in battery-backed memory.

>SAS< AUTOMATION

Supplier of robotic end-of-arm tooling. Designs and builds grippers and offers off-the-shelf modular gripper components for do-it-yourself applications.

SEIKO INSTRUMENTS USA INC.

Robotics/Automation Div. offers full line of industrial precision assembly robots, including Scara cylindrical and cartesian units. Used for many applications including loading inserts into molds and loading/unloading vertical and horizontal molds. Focus is on small parts and precision applications.

Open systems based on Microsoft Windows and PC hardware. SPEL for Windows is an easy-to-use workcell development environment, which allows for custom machine/operator interfaces using Visual Basic. The "programming-less" integration of Cognex machine vision allows Seiko's robot-based systems to find, sort, and manipulate complex components for ultrasonic welding, material handling, metering, and flexible part feeding.

SMI AUTOMATION INC.

Manufactures custom automation equipment and also represents CRS Robotics and Hitachi robots and end-of-arm tooling. CRS robots feature three sizes of articulating robots with up to 11-lb payload capacity.

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

Other 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.)

U.S. manufacturing subsidiary of Japanese firm offering automated traverse robot and sprue pickers for injection molding. Included are automated guided vehicles, automated palletizers, and precision assembly robots.

Patented two-stage, synchronized, belt-driven product-removal arm is manufactured with an a-c servo-electric motor and pneumatic cylinders. Robot uses a microprocessor controller to remove, stack, and box parts. 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. EOAT may comprise air nippers, cylinders and suction assemblies: and can be adapted for difficult part-removal jobs.

STERLING-DETROIT CO.

Robotarms, adaptable with other production equipment or secondary tooling, available in three styles for use with horizontal injection molding presses from 75 to 3000 tons.

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

Model WRT high-speed, swivel-type unit mounts directly on the machine's stationary platen and 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. Can be equipped with optional rotating wrist and trimming appliances.

Model SM, similar to Model WRT, but with a linear (-square matrix) configuration, which allows the unit to shuttle laterally with a square or linear motion. Unit can be either mounted to the press plate or free standing Robotarm and Topper.

All Topper units equipped with standard hydraulic or air-operated grippers, and with optional vacuum systems or "spring fingers." Units utilize standard electrical PLC controller and JIC machine-tool components.

Custom designs robotic SMC charge loaders, insert loaders, and parts unloaders for both horizontal and vertical compression molding presses.

STERLTECH DIV., STERLING, INC.

Automation equipment for injection molding includes part- and sprue- removal robots, assembly, decorating, and packaging equipment for designing complete automation systems.

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

Traverse-style robots available in various configurations from the three-axis all-pneumatic SAT series, and Pulsar and Meteor series, which utilize three-axis frequency drive with encoder positioning. Latter two series available with three-axis CNC servo drives and controls for further flexibility. Wide variety of end-of-arm tooling custom engineered for specific applications.

Complete installation, training, and service available. (See ad Cover II.)

TAMPO TOOL, INC.

High-speed modular pick-and-place units for part loading and unloading in 1-, 2- and 3-axis configurations handle parts up to 8 lb at speeds to 50 cycles/min. Stroke lengths from 2 to 19.6 in. Sequence control either directly from injection machine PLC or via independent "smart valves" with or without machine-triggered remote sensors.

TECHNICAL AUTOMATION INC.

Custom-designed, integrated robotic systems include assembly, vision, testing and inspection stations, vibratory feeders, and conveyor feeding.

Modular components for existing systems include pick-and-place, pallet transfer, test stations, feeders, and transfer equipment.

TOKICO (USA) INC.

Armstar robots for spray painting, finishing, blowoff/cleaning, and seam-sealing applications for automotive, electronics, appliances, etc.

Supplies turnkey finishing systems with both hydraulic and electric-powered manipulators and microprocessor control, ancillary painting and sealing equipment, application engineering, installation, training, start-up, and spare-parts inventory.

TRI-MATIX CORP.

Line of injection molding traverse robots can operate in low-overhead areas and carry parts weighing up to 50 lb. Take-out times are under 1 sec, and overall cycle times 6-10 sec. Units are computer-controlled and available with pneumatic vertical axis and servo-driven horizontal movement or with servo drive on all axes. Optional second arm for sprue removal or secondary operations.

VENTAX ROBOT INC.

Manufactures standard and custom robots, and automation systems. Top- and side-entry robots for injection molding machines from 30 to 3000 tons. Upstream and downstream equipment can be designed to perform all functions.

Pneumatic, a-c electric gearmotor and a-c servomotor drives on robot axes in combinations that best suit application.

Some custom automation applications supplied include insert loading of automotive and medical components, stacking of parts, tray handling systems, parts packaging and assembly stations, and complete workcells.

WELLTEC U.S.A., INC.

Cosmo line of sprue-picker and traversing robots. Sprue and parts-removal A/F series for 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 injection molding robots handle load weights from 0.5 to 15 lb. In addition to multiple grippers for parts and sprues, units offer parts-safety sensors, infrared safety sensors for mold protection, portable control units, and complete array of icon-based functions.

WITTMANN ROBOT & AUTOMATION SYSTEMS, INC.

Robot systems for injection molding presses from 30 to 5000 tons. Secondary equipment for turnkey start-ups or automated integration of existing operations available. Design assistance, end-of-arm tooling, field training and service available for large multimachine facilities and small custom-molding operations. Vertical- and side-entry robots for every tonnage machine; choice of electric and pneumatic drives; easy-to-use controls with built-in diagnostics; and advanced teach programmable CAN-BUS CNC controls.

Model W500 machine-mounted robot for large presses can handle parts to 220 lb. Unit has a horizontal stroke 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] . All CAN-BUS CNC-equipped robots feature handheld pendants with teach-in programming and storage on standard 3.5-in. micro floppy discs and can also be programmed on IBM compatible PCs.

YAMAHA MOTOR CORP., U.S.A.

FXY series of arm-type cartesian robots designed for lightweight applications requiting speed and flexibility especially for sealing or bonding operations and lightweight pick-and-place functions. Line consists of standard x and y axes with the option of adding a pneumatic z axis. Maximum load capacity of 7 lb., x and y axis maximum speeds of 47 in./sec, and stroke lengths ranging from 6 to 26 in. Other products include Scara and single-axis assembly robots, as well as input devices.

YK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Custom built sprue pickers or part-removal robots built in the U.S. for presses from 10 to 2000 tons. Products include designing and manufacturing end-of-arm tooling for company's robots, as well as for other brands.

YUSHIN AMERICA, INC.

HOP III series 3-axis sprue-picker robots for 5- to 500-ton machines feature sealed linear beatings for longer life, faster motions, and little maintenance. Hand-held controller has 44 standard programs and memory for 99 setups.

AD all-air series robots are 3-5 axis pneumatic-driven parts-removal robots for 50- to 250-ton molding machines.

Airliner AN series 3-5 axis pneumatic/servo driven robots with a servo-drive traverse axis for molding machines from 25 to 250 tons. Servo motor-driven traverse axis enables robots to place parts in multiple positions.

ANII series robots are similar to AN series except for featuring a telescoping main arm for high-speed parts removal and low-overhead clearance for molding machines from 150 to 2000 tons.

Netliner VN series 3-5 axis servo driven robots for molding machines from 25 to 150 tons feature linear bearings for virtually maintenance-free operations. A menu-driven, color touch-screen controller with graphical-user interface eases setup and troubleshooting.

VNII series robots are similar to VN series except for featuring a telescoping main arm for high-speed parts removal and low-overhead clearance for molding machines from 150 to 4000 tons. An optional, graphical off-line programming package allows new molds with additional robot functions to be brought on-line with a minimum of programming and press downtime for setup.

SX/Side-Entry series 1-, 2-, or 3-axis servo robots for high-speed molding of 12 sec and under, or for "clean rooms" and low overhead clearance.