Using its own handling systems, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH, Schwaig, will be presenting versatile and efficiency-enhancing concepts for handling, packaging and demoulding robots at Fakuma 2024 (Hall B1, Stand B1-1105). In cooperation with its long-standing automation partner Sepro, the company will also be presenting an application in which two robots work ‘hand in hand’ to assemble moulded parts.
The Sepro booth (Hall A1, Booth A1-1203) shows that robotics is not just limited to demoulding, but is also an effective solution to the labour shortage in terms of automated assembly. The parts are removed from an IntElect 130 by an SDR16.
Ideal combination of IntElect machines and 6-axis robots from Sepro
In the next process step, a sail is transferred to a Sepro 6X-140.2 articulated robot, with the linear and 6-axis robots working together to mount the sail on the hull. The assembled sailboat is then placed on a conveyor belt.
Other partners at the stand include Digicolor for material supply and Regloplas for the temperature control units. “The fully automated production process represents the scalable and customisable options we can provide to plastics processors and how they can complete tasks more reliably and efficiently and improve employee safety,” says BD Automation Director Jürgen Schulze.
Three payload classes of the in-house SAM-C series will be presented
At the Sumitomo (SHI) Demag booth, another example of ‘Customised Automation’ will be presented at an automotive exhibit. Here, another flexible 6-axis articulated arm robot from Sepro is integrated into the 2K injection moulding process. By carefully removing each component after back injection moulding, the robot ensures that the galvanisable, coated plastic layer remains flawless in preparation for chrome plating by the chrome-plating specialist BIA Kunststoff- und Galvanotechnik.
The company is also presenting three payload classes from its in-house SAM-C series. “These applications demonstrate our popular and compact standardised handle and place options for the automation of repetitive and labour-intensive handling tasks,” emphasises Schulze. Customers benefit from process and system technology from a single source, complemented by hardware and software control integration and robot mechanics that are fully tailored to Sumitomo (SHI) Demag injection moulding machines.
CE-compliant automation system with integration of peripherals, robotics and injection moulding
On an IntElect 180 with LSR package, a SAM-C20 with a payload of 15 kg removes parts from a 64-cavity slide mould from Austrian company ACH Solution. For the first time, a SAM-C robot with servo-motorised manual axes will be shown. It provides an example of highly efficient, repeatable mass production of precision infusion valves with a part weight of 0.36 grams every 22 seconds. The parts are placed on a conveyor belt. For quality control, an entire production cycle can be deposited in a drawer.
In the medium payload range, a SAM C-10 will be exhibited on an IntElect 130 at Momentive Performance Materials (Hall A4, Stand A4-4307). The automated cell produces a drip guard for kitchen appliances, the parts are placed on a conveyor belt. Finally, at Kracht (Hall A6, Stand A6-6209), a SAM-C5 carefully removes surgical dental covers from an EMDE mould. This special end-of-arm tool removes the dental guards and places them in a container on the operator opposite side of the IntElect 75.
The customer benefits from the comprehensive project handling of machine, robot and peripherals in a CE-compliant design. The integrated robot control also reduces the amount of training required.