The articulated robot is also commonly referred to as a six-axis robot, and its manufacturers have begun to actively look for a larger plastics processing market. These robots are increasingly recognized as a good option for not only handling workpieces for injection molding, but also assisting in blow molding, thermoforming and reinforced plastic processes.
Unlike the linear motion on the orbit performed by a linear robot, the articulated robot can move the tool of their arm end from one position to another by using multiple arms with rotating joints. This articulated motion is described. Into "personalization", that is to say, the performance of these robots has human characteristics, especially the movements like arms and wrists.
When researching robots, the challenge for the staff is not necessarily to get a machine that can do anything at any time, but to find the best combination between the needs of the situation and the capabilities of the equipment. The following sections describe in detail the application of several six-axis robotic arm end tool configurations. Secondly, several six-axis robots developed specifically for the plastics processing industry were also evaluated.
Delphi makes six-axis robots on duty
Delphi Automotive Systems recently added 16 injection molding machines to its internal systems manufacturing facility in Vandalia, Ohio. Together with these machines, there are 16 robots, all of which are Fanuc of Rochester Hills, Michigan. Produced by the robot company. These systems were the first attempts by the factory to unload the workpiece from the injection molding machine using a joint articulated robot.
Delphi needs a fully automated handling system for handling workpieces. The company received a large number of orders for the production of various door panels, inserts and vehicle modules. The automation system required was not only flexible but also reproducible. Another factor that prompted the company to decide on a joint robot is that the company must also move to a low plant.
The entire system consists of 11 M-16iT overhead rail-mounted robots, working on a 1500t injection molding machine, 5 S-20 pedestal robots, working on a 3000t injection molding machine, and M-16iT robots installed in a 1500t injection molding machine. Unload the car door inner panel and map box on the top.
The M-16iT uses a rotating shaft (or a living joint) for loading, unloading and post-processing. It uses a linear axis to reposition and can behave flexibly like a human.
With six-axis degrees of freedom, the robot can execute the operator's instructions. Most operations, from workpiece rotation to complex workpiece placement and assembly, can be performed without the need for other expensive fixtures. The advantage of track-mounted is that it simplifies the tool configuration of the arm end. In some cases, these tools can be shared between component runs. The robot arm is quite flexible and can be removed from the top or side of the machine.
The six-axis S-420 robot has a maximum payload weight of 175kg. The S-420 has a larger work cover and a wrist that can be turned 360° for easy access to large parts.
For the most part, the M-16iT is primarily used as a gantry pickup machine. When the injection molding machine is turned on, the M-16iT enters the cavity, removes the workpieces, and transports them on the conveyor. In some places, this simple extraction is accompanied by value-added tasks such as de-gate, heat treatment, and so on. When a task needs to be added, the robot places each workpiece in front of a fixed heat gun or material cutting tool. Since the robot has this ability to handle workpieces flexibly, it can also coordinate positioning for secondary operations.
To 3000t injection molding, because the height of the plant is not enough, the top-mounted robot cannot be used. Delphi uses the S-420 robot to extract the inner door panel of the large door and the interior and exterior decorative panels of the car. The S-420 robot is installed next to each machine, making it easy to do one job and do another job without interrupting production.
RXplastics robots can perform multiple tasks
RX articulated robots from Stubli, Duncan, South Carolina, have been loading, rapidly removing workpieces, cleaning injection ports, in-mold decoration, glue, powdering, coloring, assembly, inspection and packaging in the plastics processing field. Wait for the task.
Eimo Americas has four custom-made injection molding plants in Texas and Michigan. These injection molding workshops were originally owned by Triple S Plastics and serve a wide range of industries. Today, 60% of Eimo's business is in the window, casing and other components of the wireless communications industry.
Eimo recently installed Stubli's new robots to demould, retouch, and package mobile phone windows in its automation unit at Georgetown, Texas. Since then, the company has added 10 identical robots. The performance of this type of robot gives employees confidence that they are making the right choices for moving toward automation.
From the outset, system staff felt that flexible automation should always be the most cost-effective solution for many customers. So instead of simply looking for a robot that meets their specific needs at the time, they are looking for a flexible robot that meets their undetermined future automation needs. Stubli's newly launched RXplastics robot series is available in three types: RX130plastics with a load of 25kg and a wrist with a longest stretch of 2185mm; the other two smaller models are the RX60plastics and RX90plastics. The robot controller is preloaded with SPI (and Euromap 12) interface software to coordinate the actions of the robot and the injection molding machine, especially the ejector function. It is said that there is also a user interface, which is very convenient to use.
The robot must work in a dust-free room with a rating of 100. Joint speeds up to 1125°/s. Each robot uses a JCS gearbox to provide a zero backlash for the robot. If the robot over-accelerates between two positions, a backlash may occur. You must adjust yourself when it stops, as this will cause it to twitch slightly.
Raw edge processing, material handling display
At the Plastec West show in Anaheim in early 2003, Robotic Production Technology of Auburn Hills, Michigan, exhibited its six-axis robot's capabilities in plastic burr handling and material handling. The company also offers equipment systems for laser trimming and drilling, planing and trimming, ultrasonic welding and dispensing. A small six-axis robot from RPT is equipped with flexible devices and tools that simulate the processing of the edging of the chiller cover. The flexible device compensates for shrinkage and expansion of the workpiece, and the flexibility is constant as it operates along a curved or 90° bond line on the blow molded or injection molded workpiece.
The automated burr process is said to improve the quality of the corners. Compared with manual operations, waste is also reduced. In addition, because the automated process eliminates manual trimming and cutting, it also eliminates or reduces the risk of cartilage syndrome in employees. RPT also offers tool trimming systems for several manufacturers.
The RPT also has a material handling unit that carries a plastic container from a six-axis robot. Mold workers can use robotic unloading to manually unload to keep the mold switching time consistent and improve the quality of its products.
Robots can also be used to perform secondary operations such as de-gates, processing burrs, labeling, packaging, or loading and unloading pallets. The robot can unload multiple machines and the workshop can be flexibly laid out.
Six-Axis Robot Arm End Tool Configuration (EOAT) presents challenges
The arm end tool configuration represents the only challenge to the articulated robot. The flexibility of these five- and six-axis robots makes it possible to specialize in applications such as peeling and some movements of Cartesian robots such as insert molding. According to SAS Automation of Xenia, Ohio, although only a small number of injection molding machines are automated using aerodynamic robots, the correct combination of robot and arm end tool configurations is economical, large-capacity, multi-shift plastic processing. It works.
In these applications, the arm end tool configuration must be designed with sufficient space for the robot's arms to extend, and most tools must be able to enter the molding press from above or from the side. The arm end tool configuration should generally be less complex because the robot provides multiple precise movements within the unit.
Most of these robots do not come with a standard valve package, which must be added to implement the arm end tool configuration function. Although programming for injection molding production is complicated, it has been improved and will increase the range of applications.
According to SAS, other advantages of the arm end tool configuration and the articulated robotic accessory include improved gate cutting, burr handling, and interface to fixtures.
UP robot versatility and speed
The newly launched UP20 six-axis robot from Motoman, West Carrollton, Ohio, is said to be suitable for assembly, care machine, material handling, material cutting (such as burr processing), dispensing, and more. The UP20 robot has a payload of 20kg, a stretch of 1658mm and a repeatability of ±0.06mm. The robot requires a small installation space and can be installed on the floor, ceiling and wall. The UP20 robot is best suited for unloading plastic injection molding machines, especially when complex workpieces are required to remove the workpiece from the mold.
The UP20 is also flexible in the post-unloading operation and is well suited for burr processing and surface finishing – even on uneven surfaces and complex shapes. The robot can also be equipped with a device that automatically adjusts the position of the tool to maintain a constant pressure on a flat, undulating or irregular surface, so that its flexible advantages are further enhanced.
The robot can also be equipped with a saw or other cutting device that can be used to remove the flow path from the injection molded plastic workpiece.
The newly introduced six-axis UP6R self-installing robot can also load and unload injection molding machines. Mounting on a fixed board reduces the need for floor space. This six-axis robot can be used in molding situations where the inlay needs to be placed in the mold before the plastic is injected. The UP6R robot can also perform complex movements and remove the workpiece from the core when needed.
Motoman also has a UPG floor-mounted robot that enters the injection molding machine from the non-operator side. This six-axis robot provides operations for downstream equipment such as de-gate, assembly, printing, hot stamping, bagging, and inspection.
Both the UP6R and UP6 robots have a payload of 6kg. The UP6R has a stretch of 1523mm and the UP6 has a stretch of 1373mm. Both robots have a repeatability of ±0.08mm.
Motoman recently established a partnership with Yushin, Cranston, Rhode Island, which will add a market for Motona, allowing Yushin to offer Motana's articulated robots and their lateral robotics series.
ABB Flexible Automation's IRB 4400 in New Berlin, Wisconsin, is a compact robot with medium to heavy handling capacity. It can handle loads below 60kg or handle loads below 45kg at very fast speeds for material handling, machine care, grinding, polishing, assembly, spraying and cutting. The IRB 4400L/10 robot has a long arm and a slim wrist that is suitable for plastering and sealing work.
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