AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
AUTOMATED INJECTION MOULDING To help meet growing demand, Crossen Engineering undertook research on how to increase productivity, while simultaneously reducing running costs. Electric moulding machines were highlighted as the ideal way to achieve this, offering the opportunity to introduce automation into the production process.
Owing to its prominent position in the polymer processing machinery sector in Ireland, supplier JL Goor was identified to assist with finding and installing a turnkey manufacturing solution. The recommendation was made to opt for two FANUC ROBOSHOT Ð-S100iA high precision electric injection moulding machines, which would in turn be the first ROBOSHOT machines to be installed in Northern Ireland. Crossen explains: “This was the first time we were introducing automation into the process, so we were eager to get a reliable name to assist us with this. FANUC’s standing within the moulding industry, and particularly with our customers, meant it emerged as the obvious choice.
“The ROBOSHOT has been perfect, enabling us to keep up with the increasing orders we are receiving. As our customers grow, we grow with them, and we’re now ramping up our production to assist in targeting global sales.” Alongside boosting productivity, the ROBOSHOT can contribute to substantial energy savings. Michael Reynolds, sales manager at JL Goor, comments: “The combination of CNC with the electric injection moulding technology ensures that the ROBOSHOT uses between 50-70 per cent less energy than hydraulic machines, and 10-15 per cent less than other electric machines.
“It also has a compact footprint, especially when you consider the output capacities, which drastically reduces the factory floorspace required. Combined with the reduction in energy usage, this significantly minimises the total cost of ownership.”
INTO THE FUTURE
The ROBOSHOT electric injection moulding machine can also be used with robotics, to automate machine tending, loading, and unloading. Crossen Engineering is already using robots to help with part removal, further increasing the productivity gains associated with the machine.
With business booming, Crossen Engineering has confirmed further investment in automation. Crossen continues: “The FANUC ROBOSHOT has been brilliant, and we’ve actually just accepted delivery of a further two onto site. They’re currently being used to manufacture face shields, which began in reaction to the increased demand for PPE following Covid-19.
“We’re unique in Northern Ireland in that we build tools from scratch, and work closely with the customer to ensure we deliver the right product. As we grow alongside our clients and become increasingly involved in the medical product supply market, we will undoubtedly be introducing more FANUC machines, with its prestigious name proving popular amongst our customer base. For now, we intend to keep improving our injection moulding productivity with the four ROBOSHOTS we have at our disposal.”
FANUC
www.fanuc.eu/uk/en
www.crossenengineering.co.uk/ www.jlgoor.ie
FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | FEBRUARY 2021 17
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