TECHNOLOGY | ROBOTS AND AUTOMATION
Right: The Kuka KR Agilus has no issues picking up even complex components
“Consider this as an example. In the past, most end users opted for a classic cartesian X-Y gantry- style robot to unload parts from a moulding machine. Today, the technology is available to improve and add to this basic operation. 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.” TM Robotics has recently expanded its six-axis
Below: Fanuc makes a wide range of industrial robots for injection moulding and other technologies
robot range, which includes the introduction of the Shibaura TVM. Smith says the machine’s larger payload and longer reach enables TM Robotics to offer a solution for the unloading and loading of larger machines. Kuka highlights a flexible cell developed by German automation solutions specialist Robomotion based on a robot from its KR Agilus series. The cell is in operation at processor Gindele in Pforzheim, Germany, optimising a multi-stage handling and machining process for reusable cutlery. The cutlery was the idea of students at University of Applied Sciences in Reutlingen, looking for an alternative to disposable plastics cutlery at trade fairs. The Flexobot robot cell performs handling at the injection moulding machine as well as various downstream processing tasks, including removing the sprue, quality inspection by means of a vision system, and assembly of the knife and fork/spoon into a kit. The six-axis KR Agilus removes the cutlery from the mould and feeds it to the vision system for quality inspection. Since the component is still very hot, it is first set aside to allow it time to cool down. Once it has cooled down, the robot picks the component back up and removes the sprue. The robot is fitted with a 3D-printed gripper for this purpose.
At Fanuc, Shinichi Tanzawa, Europe President &
CEO, says that as the demand for integrated automation solutions is growing, its “One Fanuc” solution comprising CNCs, machines and robots is becoming more popular. He says Fanuc is the only company focused on factory automation that can supply all the key elements including CNC-control- lers, servo motors, industrial robots, machines and Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions from one source. It has a worldwide 20-30% share of the robot market. Fanuc’s share of the US market is 50%, which Tanzawa claims is because it dominates the automotive market, where it has been in business for a long time with its broad range of industrial robots. Technology trends in both robots and injection moulding machines vary around the world, Tanzawa says. In Asia and America, Fanuc in the past has focused mainly on large volume applica- tions with “lean” machines. “In Europe, the require- ment is more for muscular multi-functional ma- chines,” he says. Fanuc is now increasingly offering customised machines that are in high demand in Europe, such as for medical components, multi-component moulding and liquid silicone rubber (LSR). Ever more often, these machines are combined with robots for loading and unloading. “We have strength in robots and we want to benefit from that”, Tanzawa says. The benefits of higher output and boosted
productivity, two of the biggest reasons in justifying the use of automation, can be easily integrated into today’s injection moulding machinery and auxiliary equipment through Milacron’s proprietary Mosaic + control, says Brian Bish, Business Manager, Manu- factured Product. “Mosaic + is a practical approach to host a seamless integration in a complete
40 INJECTION WORLD | April 2020
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: FANUC
IMAGE: KUKA
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