TECHNOLOGY | ROBOTS AND AUTOMATION
which it has been producing for more than 20 years. The models currently available are Sonic 131, Sonic 142 and Sonic 143, with load capacities from 3 to 7 kg and covering a clamping force range from 1,500 to 5,000 kN. “Parts removals with a total robot cycle time of less than 8s are known as ultra-high speed removals,” Wittmann says. “The Sonic series can be used for parts removals down to 4s robot cycle time. But short-cycle applications are only one of many possible uses, since applications which require longer production
Above: Sonic 143 from Wittmann
times can also benefit from these highly dynamic appliances. Gripping times below 1s contribute to significantly improving the productivity of such production cells, too.”
Users can benefit from a number of additional advantages, the company says. For example, to ensure safe removal of parts, the mould closing process is only initiated if all parts have remained inside the gripper. Compared to production where parts free-fall from the mould, this method involves only a minimal lengthening of the cycle time, Wittmann says. The new series, according to the company, owes its extraordinary dynamism to acceleration rates of 65 m/s². This March, Muller Technology Colorado
(previously CBW Automation), which specialises in robots and automation solutions for thin-wall
packaging, launched the M-Line, an integrated robotic and automation system that it says “delivers significantly greater flexibility and versatility for production of injection moulded packaging.” Taras Konowal, Director of Sales – North Ameri-
ca, says the M-Line is the first product it has developed together with sister company Muller Technology Conthey (previously H. Müller-Fabrique de Moules) in Switzerland. Both companies are part of Muller, previously known as Mold & Robotics. “The M-Line will be manufactured in both locations, so this is a global platform,” he says. Vice President, Engineering, John Taggart says:
“We wanted to develop a linear side-entry robot that was incredibly flexible, that could be used on any machine and any mould with changes only necessary to the end-of-arm tooling (EOAT). The M-Line can be used on moulds with inside or outside gating, a single face, stack moulds. It can go from operating as a two-arm system to a one-arm system at the push of a button.” Each arm can handle moulds with anywhere between one and 48 cavities per face. Changing from one EOAT to another is simple and fast. Despite being very rigid, the tooling is also very light and can be handled by one person. The robots are mounted on a steel frame, which is also very rigid, and which is on casters for ease of move- ment between machines if necessary. Systems are supplied pre-assembled. The M-Line is suitable for machines running with cycle times down to 3.5s. There are three models for various injection machine sizes. “People are buying robots with multiple EOATs
that are specific to mould pitches, not necessarily individual products,” Konowal says. “With this robot, you put it on a moulding machine, and whatever mould you put on that machine, even years out, the robot can handle it.”
Above: The new Multilift V30 expands Arburg’s portfolio of linear robotic systems, designed for large injection moulding machines. The turnkey solution described produces two-component handles for Allrounders. The handling is performed by a six-axis robot
46 INJECTION WORLD | April 2020
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.sumitomo-shi-demag.eu �
www.tmrobotics.com �
www.kuka.com �
www.fanuc.eu �
www.milacron.com �
www.universal-robots.com �
www.engelglobal.com �
www.sepro-group.com �
www.motoman.com �
www.staubli.com �
www.starautomation.com �
www.arburg.com �
www.wittmann-group.com �
www.muller-technology.com
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: ARBURG IMAGE: WITTMANN
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