This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Robots para mejorar el proceso de transformación

A tour of the current offer of manufacturers

Robots to improve the process of transformation

Drafting PU30/10/2009

October 30, 2009

If someone could compare a quick tour of the processing companies for 15 years, with the same route in 2009, probably constataría a clear proliferation of robots in the process of transformation. In parallel with the numerous and sometimes very relevant innovations in techniques of transformation, robots and other automation systems have been adjusting to the needs of a sector which, inevitably, is obliged to reduce costs, as well as to accelerate their processes and the repeatability of the same. Let's look at this report some of the latest products launched into the market.

The most common robots that we are equipping machines for molding by injection are Cartesian robots, but the antropomorfos also have much to say in many applications.

While many brands are already moving in this line, one of the aspects that still can be improved is the programming, most notably in the ease of it. It is also important that the use of bots is simple, with greater functionality of the integrated controls, a common machine and robot interface, a large graphic and touch screen...

In regards to the more technical side, the career of the robot is one of the factors to be taken into account in a robot, it depends on the size of the piece, the location of the point of injection and the dimensions of the machine. Other notable features are its speed, the depth of the piece, its weight, the distance determined by the height of the machine and the height of desired fall and if the robot loose piece on one side of the machine or behind it.

The importance of the hand grip of the robot, whose grip must be reliable must not underestimate. Some manufacturers have paid much attention to the hand and provide their clients with various methods for creating flexible hand grip suited to their needs.

But let's look at specific products, now available on the market robots.

Alpha Robot, represented in Spain by Raorsa

In the coming months, Alpha Robot will launch to the market its new driver CNC5.0 together with models of robot totally servos Redstone and Titan. As a novelty, this control will be equipped with a dialog touch screen and color of easy to use and operability, also incorporate a USB port to allow the possibility of loading and unloading of data from a PC. In this way, are available to improve benefits and facilitating the handling of these robots, streamlining programming and variation of any parameter during its operation.

Alpha robot Titan.

Apex, represented in Spain by Equiper

The ultimate product of Apex is the SC CNC series, you receive a new software suitable for work in Windows environment and other improvements such as more compact construction, led even stronger and servos. SC version stands out for its ability to load (50 kg), obtaining a short machine cycle. This range includes 5 different versions, where vertical runs of 1,400 mm to 3,000 mm with ability to customize the transverse axis (Z), to have a career up to the 5,000 mm.

Ease of use and performance thanks to a very easy to handle with LCD screen, control command is another of its features. Consists of generator of speed for the movement of the robot to the point easily assigned and secure, a system of self-assessment for the continued recognition of the State of the robot, the speed of all axes are adjustable by means of percentages and it is equipped with 3 interpolated axes can be synchronized to assign several points at once.

The SC series allows the extraction of parts, stacking and selection, inserción-suministro and inspection consisting of a programme of rejection, quality program, program Test-Mold, program of weight and cycles counter. All mechanical components are of high reliability and robustness.

SC series.

Campetella, represented in Spain by MTP (Thermo plastic machinery)

The Italian company Campetella is dedicated to the automation of production processes of the injection of plastics. Manufacturer of Robotics for 20 years, has a wide range of robots and manipulators for all kinds of work. The manipulative Jolly series and the Speedy robots, have joined two other series: the Master Series, which is presented as a robot with the same TNC that the Speedy but mounted on machine without wardrobe to Earth, and the Skill serieswhich allows interaction with external peripherals. In addition, Campetella has a project office devoted to the personalized study of the needs of each client. Since some time ago and expanding all of these services, he has specialized in automations for IML, conducting complete projects 'turnkey'.

The Master series is presented as a robot with the same TNC that the Speedy but mounted on machine without closet land.

FANUC

M-1iA is the first parallel kinematics of fanuc roboticshigh-speed picker. Specifically designed to handle small pieces, it is ideal for picking of high-speed and Assembly applications.

FANUC Robotics offers two models in this new series of 4 to 6 axes, both with parallel structure that provides a high accuracy and high speed, compared to the traditional Assembly robots. M-1iA, lightweight and compact, can be installed in various positions and can have 3 axes in the wrist.

The model M-1iA, 4-axis, is suitable for operations from simple Assembly (picking at level). In a single axis of the doll reaches a speed of up to 3,000 degrees per second. M-1iA has the standard controller R-30iA Mate with functions integrated as iRVision, Robot Link and Collision Guard.

M-1iA, specifically designed to handle small parts, is ideal for picking of high-speed and Assembly applications.

KUKA Robots Iberian

The robot in console for the industry of plastic Kuka KR 60 L16-3 KS model is fast, takes up little space and is able to fill its stylized doll in any mold injection. It has a horizontal range of 3,000 mm and vertical one of more than 2,000 mm. As a result, it can adapt to any production environment. It should be even in foundry machines by injection of small dimensions.

Model KR 60 L16-3 KS.

Motoman Robotics Iberica

The MH5 is a compact robot 6 axis and high speed that offers superior performance in different applications such as packaging, handling, loading/unloading of machine tools, casting and sealing, where versatility is required.

MH5 robot has a range of 706 mm, one useful on the wrist of 5 kg and a repetitibilidad of ±0.02 mm and system of control DX100 allows control of up to 8 robots working together to optimize productivity. Its compact design offers maximum performance using the minimum space and cabling and internal hoses maximize the reliability of the system.

Robot MH5.

Robot Sepro

Sepro presented at Fakuma its full range of robots to automate the process of manufacture of injected parts. One of the stars was the new RDS Demag robot, manufactured by Sepro for Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Macuinery, which recently has been added to the catalog of standard products of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, as well as a prototype of a robot of the future generation of Sepro 5, the G5.

The 4th generation of robots are equipped with Visual control system or sophisticated version, 2 Visual. Visual simplifies the automation of complex tasks such as sobremoldeo, tagged in mold (IML) or integration of quality controls, for example through image processing. With its color, touch and 10-inch screen, and your module Simple Pick & Place integrated, 2 Visual control system, simplifies the creation of robot programs, asking the user a series of data. The resulting program can be seen immediately in a video in 3D.

Thanks to the integrated, comfortable joystick of use, the precise adjustment becomes even easier. The robot programs can be saved on a drive USB flash, and can therefore be transferred to other devices.

Sepro also introduced several models of the Axess range: Axess 7, Axess 11 and a 22 Axess were in action. Range Axess robots are compact, multi-purpose robots with their axes servomotor and the control cabinet located on the beam to save space. The system of 'touch' control, captive users, thanks to its simple and logical concept.

The range of Axess robots are designed for simple download applications.

Stäubli Española

The ultrafast robot model Stäubli TS80, 55 kg, has a repeatability of 0.01 mm and is capable of carrying a nominal load of between 2 and 8 kg. Depending on the requirements of the application, it is available with 200 runs and 400 mm, both version usually as a console. In various configurations, it is able to work in the real industrial environments more diverse, from the Cleanroom class 6 degrees of protection IP54. "Team TS80 is ideal to resolve applications quickly and economically," the company explained.

Stäubli TS80 is suitable for mounting, handling, packaging and food machinery in sectors like automotive, plastic, electronics, pharmaceuticals and food.

The ultrafast robot TS80 has a repeatability of 0.01 mm.

Wemo, represented in Spain by Guzmán polymers

The Basic robots are equipped with servo in all three axes and designed for a normal removal of pieces. Its placement can be on a conveyor, placement of inserts, management of flows and troughs a windmill, among others. Therefore, the Basic series covers all usual needs injection processes. Four sizes of the Basic series are valid for machines from 25 up to 1,500 tonnes of clamping force.

Basic is a highly interesting alternative to the robots of pneumatically operated. Thanks to the servo on the three axes, it is possible to achieve a reduction of about 50% of extraction time compared with the pneumatic drive.

The Basic models have control system well tested with touch screen and control panel manual support. Using the new Wos Online software, the movements of the robot can be optimized easily and securely in the Office of the task of the client.

The Basic robots are equipped with servo in all three axes and designed for a normal removal of pieces.

Wittmann Battenfeld

wittmann battenfeld introduces turns b/C controlled servo in the series of smaller robots as W811, W821 and W831 models. The B axis servo enables an incremental rotation of the hand of apprehension and spin C, between 0 ° and 270 °, while the axis C servo left to rotate the hand of apprehension between 0º and 180º. All the intermediate positions of the respective axes of rotation can be programmed with a precision of 0.01 °.

The robot servo with the combination Servo-B / (c) provide 5 degrees of freedom, allowing the implementation of complex movements with curved trajectories. The load capacity available for the hand of apprehension and the piece, depending on the model of robot, is between 3 and 8 kg. These additional rotations servo controlled axis are now available from a small robot, W811 model, to the largest robot, the W873. Optimal control of 5 or 6 axes servo is common for the removal of pieces with special requirements or ballot papers work or need for special operations earlier or later than molding. Over the movements of the main payload is not affected in the global process.