TECHNOLOGY | ROBOTS AND AUTOMATION
Optional five-axis operation
Having demonstrated a prototype of a general-purpose five-axis robot, the Success 22X, at K 2019, Sepro has now finished the redesign of the entire range, for machines up to 700 US tons. Some can be optionally equipped with a two-axis servo wrist co-de- veloped with Yaskawa Motoman. Sepro engineers also have returned to the
use of cam follower bearings for linear motions of all the new robots. The company says the technology provides more even weight distribution and smoother operation compared to linear bearings and also is more tolerant of dust and other contaminants.
“The all-servo wrist can be easily adapted with simple digital commands, guaranteeing greater flexibility and faster production changeovers – approaching Single-Minute Exchange of Die methodol- ogy,” says Claude Bernard, Product Marketing Director. “We believe this represents the future of Cartesian robots.”
Success 22X is one of three completely redesigned robots in Sepro’s product range
can be protected in conduits and all robot surfaces are smooth, painted medical white with limited decoration so that dust does not accumulate, making cleaning easier. Places where grease or other lubrication is used are enclosed so that none can escape into the moulding area. 5X MED robots include a two-axis servo wrist to provide a total of five numerically controlled axes of motion. S5 Line MED robots have three servo-driven axes and a pneumatic wrist. All robots can be optionally equipped with pneumatic filtration to 0.3 micron. The 5X MED and S5 Line MED ranges each
include robots in three different sizes to allow them to serve moulding machines with clamp forces from 30 to 800 US tons. Nominal payload capacity (part plus end-of-arm tooling) ranges from 5 to 20 kg. The robots can be installed in a conventional transverse or space-saving axial layout. Sepro 6X MED six-axis servo articulated-arm
robots are offered in collaboration with Stäubli Robotics. The standard Stäubli arms are certified for ISO 5 (Class 100) clean rooms without modifica- tion. “However, the smooth, clean white surfaces make keeping them clean just that much easier,” says Sepro. “In fact, the 6X MED robots can exceed the level of cleanliness possible with injection moulding
processes.” Four models are available to serve moulding machines from 20 to 1,300 US tons. Six-axis robots are normally typically floor- mounted (but can be ceiling-mounted) and usually enter the moulding machine from the side. Laminar air flow allows these installations to meet the requirements of ISO 7 and 8. Engel says its integrated system solutions play a
key role in medical technology company Yp- somed’s new platform strategy. Ypsomed is a leading developer and manufacturer of injection and infusion systems for self-medication. It recently opened a new plant with 13,500m2
of production
space for injection moulding and assembly in Schwerin, Germany. Ypsomed has traditionally used various types
and brands of injection moulding machinery. “This was no longer compatible with our expansion strategy,” says Frank Mengis, COO of Ypsomed. It now has a more standardised approach. “The aim of the new platform strategy is to further improve efficiency, safety and quality while simplifying our processes,” he says.
Ypsomed is not alone in this strategy. Standardi-
Right: With its high degree of automation, the production of injection pens places high demands on the precision of the injection moulding and assembly process
22 INJECTION WORLD | April 2021
sation is becoming a trend in the medical technol- ogy industry, and not only for the big players, says Christoph Lhota, Vice President of Engel’s Medical Business Unit. “We can now order injection moulding ma- chines virtually off the peg at all locations world- wide,” says Mengis. “But the biggest advantage is fast industrialisation. The qualification plans are identical for all new machines. This means we can integrate new machines and new process- es into series production far faster.”
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: SEPRO
IMAGE: YPSOMED
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