TECHNOLOGY | ROBOTS AND AUTOMATION
attractive for the general-purpose sector.” ABB Robotics says its range of easy-to-use
Above: Müller Fabrique de Moules is integrating the IML automation technology it has developed with sister company CBW Automation
a standardised platform.” Konowal points out that Müller has historically
taken a more modular approach than CBW in constructing automation systems, which has enabled it to standardise more of its components, and reduce lead times and costs. “CBW equipment was more customised for individual requirements,” he says. “In the past, CBW did lots of automation for applications such as case packing, bagging and assembly. The primary driver was to reduce labour costs, especially for customers using high-speed thin-wall injection moulding for containers and lids. “This part of the business continues to grow, but the systems CBW now offers are modular. We aren’t customising as much anymore.” Müller recently began transferring its technology and know-how in in-mould labelling (IML) systems to CBW. Konowal says this will help meet the growing demand among processors and end users for IML systems in North America. “There is strong growth for IML systems in North America and our customers are hungry for domestically produced systems that reduce shipping costs and deliver time-to-market benefits,” he says. The flexibility theme is taken up by Engel, which
Right: Two ABB robots work together on clips assembly for automotive production
at the Interplastica show in Moscow earlier this year presented a solution to process in-mould labels very economically, even in small lot sizes. It combined an E-motion 740/220 injection moulding machine equipped with a Viper 20 linear robot and an IML UniLine unit from TMA Automation. The viper robot removes the label from the IML cell, places it in the mould of the injection moulding machine, simulta- neously removes the last moulded finished part and transfers it back to the UniLine for ejection. Engel says that a standardised system concept
makes the compact IML cell particularly easy to integrate. “Within a very short time, the injection moulding machine can be flexibly converted for other tasks – with or without in-mould labelling” says Olaf Kassek, Managing Director at Engel’s Russian subsidiary in Moscow. “We are thus also making IML
46 INJECTION WORLD | April 2019
www.injectionworld.com
articulated six-axis robots are designed to increase flexibility and accessibility for plastic processors compared to the traditional 3-axis gantry robots. It cites an installation using ABB IRB 2600 robots at International Automotive Components’ factory in Skara, Sweden. IAC is the world’s third-largest automotive interior components manufacturer by market share. Its product range contains around 1,000 different items such as pillars, instrument panels, door panels, sill mouldings and luggage components. The robots can automatically switch between grippers and programs when the injection moulding machine’s mould tool is changed. “The automation has reduced the time taken to make each change by a significant 10 minutes,” says a representative. ABB also points to its FlexLoader FP100, which it
says offers unmatched flexibility in handling components and improved reliability, due to its better tolerance. For example, when bowl-feeders rely on mechanical sorting only, the feeds need to be narrow to ensure a good flow. The FlexLoader on the other hand only needs to feed the parts to a belt and present them for a camera. Parts that cannot be recognised by the camera will be sent to a return-belt and back again for a retry, so the cell continues working.
While a bowl feeder is dedicated to only one
type of part, the FlexLoader FP100 shifts between parts seamlessly, allowing operators to make different products on the same system, ABB notes. “This flexibility is especially critical in supporting manufacturers in the era of mass customisation who must make smaller lots of products in greater variety. The compact size of the FlexLoader FP100 makes it suitable for feeding or insert-applications when components such as clips, nuts, plates, etc. are loaded into the mould.” Flexibility can also be achieved with collabora-
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