Robots.

ABB ROBOTICS INC.

CMR series general-purpose, jointed-arm robot is a high-speed unit with non-lubricating cylinders. 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.

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. Also feature rotation adjustable to 90 [degrees], 100% parts separation, two motion sequences, and mold protection circuitry.

AIC/APPLICATION AUTOMATION

Offers a broad selection of robots from XL series sprue pickers to heavy-duty, top-mounted and side-entry Titan traversing series. 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.

New AST series pneumatic traversing robots available in one- or two-arm models to remove the part or runner in a three-plate mold. Smooth, precise handling of payloads to 11 lb is facilitated by precision linear guideways, which are contained in stress-free extruded aluminum beams. Standard microprocessor control includes six preset motion sequences, "teach" sequences, and QC program. Removable control pendant and complete diagnostics standard on all models.

AIRLOCK MANUFACTURING CO.

Gantry-type robots are used for loading charges into vertical compression presses and unloading molded parts; feeding thermoplastic sheet blanks into a pre-heated 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. Offers complete system integration for manufacturing, assembly, testing, welding and plastic molding, including robotic assembly and test system integration, robot cell installations, and vision-guided robotic systems. Capabilities include engineering services, project management and planning assistance. Emphasis is on successful system startup and reliable long-term operation.

APL ROBOTICS CORP.

Offers precision, multi-axis robotic equipment. In addition to computer-controlled pick-and-place and dispensing equipment, company provides a variety of water-jet 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.

APPLICATION AUTOMATION

See AEC/Application Automation.

ASI ROBOTIC SYSTEMS

SUB. OF ACCURATIO SYSTEMS, INC.

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

Designs and installs robotic and downstream automation systems for injection molding. Offers a range of robotic equipment covering functions from simple sprue/parts removal to sophisticated programmable operations in several axes. Machines can be electrically or pneumatically driven using the latest technology for accuracy, consistency and reliability.

Standard line of robots fits injection molding presses from 20 to 2000 tons and includes sprue pickers; vertical-entry, three-axis pick-and-place robots; and side-entry pick-and-place robots. Units available in all-pneumatic models (x, y and z axes), all-electric drive models, or a combination of pneumatics on the arm and head (x and z axes) with electric drive on the beam (y axis).

EX-2000 series all-electric robot with advanced PLC-controlled electric drives offers versatile programming capability.

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

AUTOGRIP INC.

Manufactures take-out robots under a technology sharing agreement with Pioneer Industrial Corp. of Taiwan. 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 to 400 tons. Also designs and manufactures custom tooling, degating stations and beside-the-press automation machinery to work in conjunction with its robots.

AUTOMATED ASSEMBLIES CORP.

Manufactures and distributes flexible, robot-based automation systems.for injection molding. Exclusive North American distributor of Sailor part-removal and runner-removal robots and Seiko robots. 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-of-arm tooling.

BATTENFELD OF AMERICA

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

Line includes standard units with part-handling capabilities of approx. 22, 45, and 100 lb. Custom-engineered units available for more than 200 lb. Standard for smaller units are programmable, electricaliy 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 & DIE, INC.

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

BINKS MANUFACTURING CO.

Offers a line of electric painting robots. Units use a-c motors for coating applications, conveyor tracking, and analog spray gun control. Robots meet stringent specifications of appliance, automotive, aerospace and defense industries.

BUCHER, INC.

SUB. OF BUCHER-GUYER

Robots are especially adapted for thermoset injection molded part removal and for loading inserts into horizontal thermoset injection molding machines ranging 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 moveable haft 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

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 multicavity molds with hot-runner systems and cycle times from 4-15 sec.

CONAIR MARTIN

THE CONAIR GROUP 

Grabber series, for 28- to 500-ton machines, delivers positive part separation, which can boost production rates 15-20%. Operating vertically or horizontally, Grabbers use a patented cam system synchronized to machine platen opening and closing.

Zip Cam robots can remove up to 15-lb part weight from 100- to 500-ton injection machines at a minimum cycle time of 8 sec. These mechanically actuated robots are cam driven and orient parts removed. Accommodating part changes is simple and requires no major adjustments to the arm position.

Six models of small part/runner-removal robots, Harmo EX series, are available for 10- to 500-ton machines and have take-out times of 0.6 to 1.4 sec. Series offers adjustable height and main-arm safety-lock features, microprocessor controls with digital set times, and self-lubricating, oil-free cylinders.

Sepro line of robots for machines from 100 to 5000 tons are CNC-con-trolled and feature maintenance-free, a-c brushless servo motors. Models include user-friendly, alphanumeric display, which simplifies programming, operation and troubleshooting. Up to 98 programs can be stored, and optional downloading to and from a PC and central computer networking available.

Medium-size, pick-and-place robots include HIM beam-style models, which are up, out and traverse styles suitable for 150- to 500-ton machines. HIM accommodates up to five discharge locations in any of three planes, facilitating post-molding automation. Wide-footprint mounting minimizes vibration.

Indy line pick-and-place, multitask, beam-style robots, suitable for machines from 500 to 1500 tons, offers heavy pay-load capacity to 50 lb. Units are capable of insert molding and interfacing with post-molding operations. Options include automatic lubricating and no-tool arm adjustments.

Also builds side-entry robots for vertical injection molding machines.

ELECTRA FORM, INC.

Manufactures post-mold cooling systems for rapid removal and handling of PET preforms. These 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.

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 de-celeration, freely programmable strokes with data storage, automatic end-of-arm tool-changing capability, and a modular track-planning system that 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" available, along with service, training and parts support. Units include:

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

* ERC-Type for clamp ranges from 55 to 4000 tons with three axes, three-phase servo motors, and menu programming and teach-in.

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

* ER-TL-Type for tiebarless machines 30 to 90 tons with three pneumatic axes (side-entry).

HAMA USA INC.

Offers Hama Corp.'s (Japan) HM-8000, HM-2000, and HM-4000 robots for injection molding gate cutting and case packing.

HM-8000 gate-cutting robot is available with four programmable axes. 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 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 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-feed-ing and box-stacking devices is optional.

HM-4000 bottle casing robot, designed for packing any size and any shape of blow molded bottles at rates to 100 bottles/min and stacking in corrugated carton boxes or shippers, can pack in staggered rows of any number and be programmed to pack more bottles in one row and less in another. Layer material can be placed over each layer of bottles and multiple layers of bottles packed in each box. Robot can be easily reprogrammed for new packing plans, with changeover time of less than two hr. Unit comes complete with empty box in-feed conveyor and a packed box exit conveyor, allowing unattended fully automatic packing. Minicomputer control allows multiple packing-job programs to be stored.

HAMILTON AVTEC 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.

Pick-and-place Apex press-mounted units have fast operating times from 0.7 to 1.4 sec. Models 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 available for phenolics and melamines, as well as other thermosets. 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 range of robots and product-handling equipment for injection molding. Robots available in side-entry and top-entry styles with up to five axes of motion. Drive options include manual, air, electric and servo. Designed for a range of payloads to 550 lb, units are available for machines ranging from 150 to 4000 tons. Can accept either existing end-of-arm tooling or customized tooling specific to the molding application. Also manufactured with water-cooled take-out plates that provide faster molding cycles by allowing parts to cool outside the mold.

High-speed side-entry robots have peak speeds of 26.3 ft/sec. A distance of 59 in. (1500 mm) can be completed in 0.35 sec, resulting in straight in/out time of 0.7 sec. Units are suitable for high-volume applications including thin-wall and technical applications for either single-face or stack molds.

Top-entry injection molding robots with a turret-style base offer the flexibility of placing parts to either side of the press. Designed for longer presses and parts, these robots come in payload capacities of 55, 165 and 330 lb, and are available with various stroke lengths and with pneumatic, a-c electric, or servomotor drives. Turret series is suited to removing deep-draw parts from large presses because it robot's stroke is also used to strip parts from the mold. The turret robot works well with quick-mold-change systems, because it 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 knock-out 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.

ISI AUTOMATION PRODUCTS GROUP

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.

ISI ROBOTICS

Supplies linear-coordinate 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 from sister company ISI Automation Products.

Also supplies 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, company provides part processing automation through cooling, routing, drilling, gluing and bonding stations as part of a complete thermoplastic manufacturing cell.

ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION

Variety of robots offered by Italian manufacturers.

KAWAGUCHI AMERICA, LTD.

K-Cut gate-cutting robot completes gate cutting and optional product sorting within injection molding cycle time. Unit has four-axis movement directed by a computer control system and easy-to-use teaching pendant for programming movements and steps of complete operation. Program can be easily revised for optimal speed, precision, sorting options, or any other desired 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 is protected by battery backup.

MARK II AUTOMATION, INC.

Automated part- and runner-removal equipment for plastic injection molding machines includes 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. Servo electric drives are optional on the 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 the ES series for machines to 750 tons. EL series units include standard models with up to 72-in. vertical stroke and 96-in. traverse stroke for automation of presses to 2000 tons. Larger units for higher tonnage machines also provided. 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 Series units designed and manufactured in the U.S., utilizing standard American-made components.

MARVEL EQUIPMENT CORP.

Represents Composite Technology Automation (CTA), a German and American supplier of turnkey automation systems for compression molding of SMC and reinforced thermoplastics (GMT). CTA builds press loaders and unloaders, transfer robots, magazine feeders for blanks of SMC or GMT sheet, and complete systems integration.

S.T. MONFORTE ROBOTICS, INC.

Offers 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 8.8-1b 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 other options available.

MOTOMAN

Provides robots, machine vision, advanced sensors, and trunkey solutions for broad range of automation applications including assembly, dispensing, material cutting, material handling, material removal, surface finishing, thermal coating and welding.

Of the 35 models available, K10S and K10MSB are used for trimming in water-jet cutting applications such as automotive interior components and sports equipment components. Other applications include part handling and trimming of injection molded parts. In large composite parts robots are utilized for routing and drilling items such as automotive bumpers, bathtubs, water sports equipment, truck cabs, etc.

NU-TEC CORP.

Offers injection molding part-removal robots for 25- to 5000-ton machines. Models include the Sprint Sprue-Picker pneumatic robot series and the H&F pro-grammable electric traverse-beam recti-linear robot series.

For flee-standing flexible automation systems, offers the Lanco Assembly Transport System as the heart of custom automation systems for complete assembly.

As a 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 pickets for 15- to 500-ton conveyors and custom automation systems also supplied.

Offers SP series of sprue pickers. 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. 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 include dual guide tubes, multiple sequence selection and thumbwheel timer controls. Options include 90 [degrees] flip wrist and vacuum system.

PEERLESS AUTOMATION CO.

UHS Robot, a vertical-arm parts-remover, uses a telescopic arm to increase speed while decreasing required space. 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. Robot reportedly can move twice as fast as many other robots, while requiting 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: HR50M and HR50E, horizontal jointed robots for vertical molding machines; and CR90, x-y-z 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 designed for higher speed. A slim body further shortens the cycle time.

CR90 x-y-z coordinate robot features a long insert stroke into the mold unit that enables handling a wide range of small- to medium-size parts.

PIONEER INDUSTRIAL CORP.

See Autogrip Inc.

PRESSFLOW ROBOTS, INC.

Manufactures sprue pickers and traverse-style pick-and-place robots for injection molding. End-of-arm tooling for robots, as well as related downstream equipment, designed and built in U.S.

Proline robots are used on 50- to 3000-ton molding machines. Apex series sprue pickers can be used on 50- to 500-ton machines. Units are available with three different configurations of control systems to best fit customer's needs. Software is custom-tailored.

Custom-built end-of-arm tooling can include special requirements such as 180 [degrees] wrist turns, degates, and thermoset molding.

RAM CENTER, INC.

Manufactures Simplicity robots for injection molding. Each unit has three axes of motion in addition to tool rotation. The traverse provides smooth motion via d-c stepper drive with closed-loop position control. Servo drives are optional on the traverse and vertical axes, while pneumatic is standard on the vertical and stripper. Simplicity robots feature a user-friendly touchscreen operator interface supported by a control package, which includes a Pro Log computer for flexibility and programmability.

Provides complete integration services, including tooling design and manufacturing, programming, installation and service. Auxiliary equipment such as degators, stackers and conveyors can be integrated. Also offers Fanuc robotics integration for assembly, painting and surface finishing automation systems.

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

SEIKO INSTRUMENTS USA INC.

Robotics/Automation Div. offers full line of industrial precision assembly robots, including Scara series of cylindical and cartesian units.

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. Wide variety of parts can be processed or assembled by custom-designed equipment. 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 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 alr nippers, cylinders and suction assemblies; and can be adapted for difficult part-removal jobs.

STERLING-DETROIT CO.

Topper Robotarms are adaptable with other production equipment or secondary tooling and 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 mounts directly on the machine's stationary platen. 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. 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 shutfie 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 ma-chine-tool components.

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

STERLTECH DIV.

STERLING, INC.

Offers 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 SAT series, 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.

Complete installation, training, and service available.

SYSTEM GOSEWEHR USA

Finn offers a complete line of German robots and automation systems for injection molding. Available are standalone 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.

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.

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.

Produces line of standard and custom robots covering injection molding machines from 30 tons up. Robots are sprue pickers, top-entry and side-entry units. Custom equipment includes degaters, stackers, box loading, insert loading and part assembly systems.

VMR3 style robot can accomodate presses from 30 to 400 tons and is available in a variety of drive options ranging from all-pneumatic to all-electric, or combinations thereof.

WELLTEC U.S.A., INC.

Manufactures Cosmo line of sprne-picker and traversing robots in a wide range of models. Sprne 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 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 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. Primary product is a broad range of robot systems for presses from 30 to 5000 tons. Secondary equipment for turnkey startups or for automated integration of existing operations available. Design assistance, end-of-arm tooling, field training and service available for both large multi-machine 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 optional "teach-in" programmable CNC control. All robots have rigid construction.

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]. Hand-held pendant with microprocessor controller offers teach-in-programming and storage on removable EEPROM modules or IBM compatible PCs.

YAMAHA MOTOR CORP., U.S.A.

FXY series of arm-type cartesian robots is designed for lightweight applications requiring speed and flexibility. FXY series is especially suited 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. Max. load capacity is 7 lb. The x and y axis max. speeds are 47 in./sec and stroke lengths range from 6 to 26 in.

Other products include Scara and single-axis assembly robots, as well as input devices.

YK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Offers sprue pickers or part-removal robots built in the U.S. for presses from 10 to 1000 tons. Units 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. Twelve switch-selectable arm motions are standard.

For part-removal robots, a d-c motor is used for traverse motion and degating.

YUSHIN AMERICA, INC.

Provides robots for injection molding:

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

* YK, AE and VA traversing series for machines from 50 to 3000 tons. Axis drives are all pneumatic, all a-c servo, or a combination of the two. Controls feature timers, diagnostics and are reprogrammable. Low-headroom models also available.

* SX/Side-Entry series for high-speed molding such as data-packaging parts. Suitable for "clean rooms" and low overhead clearance. Units are 1, 2 or 3 axis servo-motor driven and are for 50- to 400-ton injection molding machines.

Provides sales, service, parts, and engineering support.