automation | Innovation
where a 3,000 tonne injection moulding machine moulding a plastic automotive component was coupled with an IRB6650 shelf robot. “In this example, the saving in the extraction time amounted to around 10%. Based on this, a machine running three shifts all year round with an extraction time of 10 seconds and a complete cycle time of 30 seconds could yield up to 35,000 extra components.”
Worldwide annual supply of industrial robots 1994-2012 Source: IFR Statistical Department
is no longer a resource that can be taken for granted,” says Badger. “The United Nations Industrial Develop- ment Organisation’s (UNIDO) recent Industrial Develop- ment Report points to the need for investment in energy effi cient technologies at all levels in order for sustain- able growth to be achieved.” He says that with no requirement for minimum lighting or heating levels, robots offer a great opportu- nity for manufacturers to cut energy bills in their plant. “Current estimates point to a potential saving of 8% for every 1°C reduction in heating levels, while savings of up to 20% can be achieved by turning off unnecessary lighting,” he says. Badger says ABB’s Machine Sync system has been
Below: Automation minimises the risk of part damage during demoulding at Stewart’s
moulding plant in the UK
developed to save energy and time in plastics manufac- turing environments. In injection moulding applications in particular, the software can be used to program the robot to move just in time to extract a plastic product from the mould. A sensor triggers the robot to move in response to the moulding machine opening or closing. Synchronising the movement of the robot with the opening and closing of the moulding machine in this way can, claims Badger, have a material impact on improving both cycle times and yield. He says this is demonstrated in a recent installation
Demand for plastics automation has persuaded producers of the beam robots used widely in the sector to invest in new facilities and new products. In June of this year, Wittmann Robot Systeme offi cially opened its new factory at Nuremberg-Feucht in Germany. Wittman says that it invested €7m in the new facility, which has 3,000m² of production fl oor and 1,200m² of offi ce space. The new factory has also been created as an
automation competence centre for the Wittmann Group. Its production capabilities include a CNC 3-axis machin- ing centre. In addition, the Nuremberg-Feucht facility has a presentation room, classic high-bay racking for spare parts, as well as special areas for dispatch handling, pickup, repairs and delivery. Going forward, the Wittmann unit in Nuremberg-
Feucht will prepare and assemble robots and automa- tion systems for the specifi c needs of its customers. The Nuremberg branch is expected to generate a turnover of €30m for the current year. French automation expert Sepro Robotique is also
enjoying good times and this will be apparent at the K 2013 Show, which will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany in October. Sepro says it is “on track to nearly double its sales of robots compared to 2010, when the last K Show was held.” By the end of 2013 the French supplier of robots and automation systems for plastics injection moulding expects to sell more than 1,500 units. According to Sepro, some of this rapid growth is
attributable to the general recovery of the global plastics industry after the 2007 – 2010 economic crisis. However, Spero CEO Jean-Michel Renaudeau says there is much more to it than that. “Even as the global economy was declining in 2007 and 2008, Sepro was beginning an ambitious new-product development program,” he explains. “While other companies cut back as the crisis deepened, we continued to invest heavily. As a result, Sepro has a product line today that is almost entirely new since K 2010 and much was introduced within the last 12 months.” In order to show the full depth and breadth of robot
technology at K 2013, Sepro will mount its largest exhibit ever. The company is moving from Hall 10, where it has been located for the last few shows, to Hall 12, Stand A49. There, more than 255 m2
of fl oor space will be used to showcase its newest developments, 22 INJECTION WORLD | July/August 2013
www.injectionworld.com
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