TECHNOLOGY | ROBOTS
Removing errors in medical
Last August, MAPP, the US-based Manufacturers Association for Plastic Processors, awarded Intertech Medical in Denver, Colorado its top 2017 Innovations Award for work cells automating quality inspection, de-gating, and packaging. The work cells use robotics from Wittmann Battenfeld, (pictured right). Intertech Medical, a full-service supplier of medical devices, had been moulding a medical part with complex geometry and features on which it was difficult to trace defects using conventional inspec- tion methods and sampling. So it designed and built a machine- side, automated work-cell that utilised integrated process control and quality control to get to zero defects. The solution primarily centred on integrated process control, automated quality inspec- tion, and the reduction of bioburden from part handling and packaging. Wittmann Battenfeld’s US operation set up complete automation cells, including robots, EOAT, downstream part orienta- tion stations, and tray filling conveyor systems. Kevin Clements, Director of Engineering at Intertech Medical, says his company achieved ROI on the complete automation system in less than nine months. It has since replicated the technology on three more work cells and now has nine Wittmann robots in its plant.
from a moulding machine. Today, the technology is available to improve and add to this basic opera- tion. By using a ceiling-mounted six-axis robot, for example, taking a product from the moulding machine, there is an opportunity to do more work with the specific part you are taking out. While doing this process, the robot allows you to inspect, assemble or pack the product.” Ceiling mounted robots are a growing area for this marketplace, says Smith. “They are particularly
A Fanuc SR-6iA robot packing golf balls
advantageous because they minimise the space required. If you have a ceiling-mounted SCARA [Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm], for instance, you can use it in a much tighter, compact area than you could if it were floor-mounted. From an efficiency point of view, if you have the robot mounted over a conveyor, you can use a smaller and quicker robot, again increasing productivity.” Toshiba’s latest SCARA robot is the THE400 SCARA. Also pushing SCARA robots is Fanuc. It will demonstrate new SR-3iA and SR-6iA models at NPE2018 in Orlando in May. The new robots are said to feature high-speed, precise operation for pick and place, assembly, testing/inspection and packaging processes. Nishant Jhaveri, Engineering Manager for small and SCARA robots at Fanuc America, says they “represent the next level of speed and precision for assembly and material handling applications.” The SR-3iA offers a 3kg payload, 400mm reach, and 200mm stroke, and the SR-6iA has a 6kg payload, 650mm reach and 210mm stroke. Is there any reason why an existing robot cannot
be reprogrammed to act like a cobot? “Existing industrial robots can indeed be programmed to become collaborative,” says another robotics major,ABB Robotics. It points to its SafeMove2 software, which monitors and controls the position and speed of a robot specific to a task, so people can safely share the workspace around the robot without stopping the robot each time. SafeMove2
22 INJECTION WORLD | April 2018
www.injectionworld.com
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