TECHNOLOGY | ROBOTS AND AUTOMATION
of automation. By making Mirai available to all automation professionals, regardless of the robot platform they prefer, they can create flexible and high-performing robotic movement without the need for expensive and difficult coding.” To become vendor agnostic, Micropsi Industries
has partnered with integration software company Voraus Robotik. With this collaboration, Mirai will essentially enable all 6-axis robots and other kinematics, including cobots and industrial robots, to handle variances and dynamic environmental conditions such as light changes, oil, and rust. Robot users also benefit from a user-friendly no-code programming interface and an integrated develop- ment environment for individual extensions. Earlier this year, Kuka also released software
Above: Visitors at the opening of Engel North America’s expanded automation centre in York, Pennsylvania
single controller, facilitating seamless coordination between injection moulding machines and automation while smart features enable faster cycle times, reduced downtime, and maximum output. This expansion came soon after German-based
robotics software firm Wandelbots, which partners with injection moulding robot suppliers, opened a US headquarters in Chicago. Its signature software, Wandelbots Teaching, works with any robot and allows users to control various models with no prior programming knowledge. As the industrial robotics market continues to grow, an easy-to-use platform for robotic automation is becoming essential. “Our product is tailor-made for the US market, which is ideal as a prerequisite for successful expansion,” said Christian Piechnick, Wandelbots founder and CEO. “The labour shortage in the US is severe right now and is getting worse. Wandelbots can help to face this challenge and support US companies on their way towards automation and digitisation.”
Software integration Micropsi Industries’ AI-powered robot control software Mirai, which helps automate complex tasks too difficult or costly to automate with traditional programming, will soon be accessible for all robot users. Previously only compatible with a select few, Mirai will be available for Kuka robots in early Q4 2024, followed by other collaborative robots (cobots) and industrial robots as requested. “Our new integration with Kuka expands the number of users who can use Mirai to automate applications that were previously not feasible or cost-effective to automate such as cable insertion, gear picking or leak testing,” said Dominik Bösl, CTO of Micropsi Industries. “And this is just the beginning as we continue to push the boundaries
14 INJECTION WORLD | March/April 2024
that visualises the environment of robot cells live on your smartphone or tablet to support “fast, safe and intuitive robot start-up”. The app displays tools and interference geometries to enable early detection of potential hazards so users can eliminate them while Augmented Reality (AR) connects the real and virtual worlds. For example, the software can simulate robot motion with a virtual gripper with potential collisions highlighted in the AR environment so they can be prevented early in the real environment. Kuka.MixedReality consists of an assistant app and the additional Kuka.MixedReality Safe technology package, which is installed on the robot controller. The app is free and no additional hardware is required. “Augmented or mixed reality is a future-oriented
topic that offers promising opportunities in robotics,” said Roland Ritter, Portfolio Manager Simulation at Kuka. “Kuka.MixedReality makes robot installation more user friendly and safe. This benefits customers at all levels of experience in the field of automation.”
Real-world solutions At Fakuma 2023, Wittmann Group debuted the WX90 servo-driven sprue picker and part removal robot. The display work cell consisted of an EcoPower 110 injection moulding machine, the new WX90, and an S-Max screenless granulator. The WX90 removed the sprue and, using a rotary servo axis, swung away from the mould area to the opposite side of the operator where it dropped the sprue into the chute feeding the S-Max granulator. The company said that because of faster and more controlled axes, the removal time in the mould area is reduced and the compressed air consumption minimised. Considering current energy costs, Wittmann estimates that in most cases the return on investment for the WX90 can
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: ENGEL
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