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Advances inAutomation forPlastics Injection

Moulding

Report 133

Volume 12, Number 1, 2001

J.M. Mallon, IV



RAPRA REVIEW REPORTS

A Rapra Review Report comprises three sections, as follows:

1. A commissioned expert review, discussing a key topic of current interest, and referring to the References andAbstracts section. Reference numbers in brackets refer to item numbers from the References and Abstractssection. Where it has been necessary for completeness to cite sources outside the scope of the Rapra Abstractsdatabase, these are listed at the end of the review, and cited in the text as a.1, a.2, etc.

2. A comprehensive References and Abstracts section, resulting from a search of the Rapra Abstracts database.The format of the abstracts is outlined in the sample record below.

3. An index to the References and Abstracts section, derived from the indexing terms which are added to theabstracts records on the database to aid retrieval.

Item 1

Macromolecules

33, No.6, 21st March 2000, p.2171-83EFFECT OF THERMAL HISTORY ON THE RHEOLOGICAL

BEHAVIOR OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANES

Pil Joong Yoon; Chang Dae HanAkron,University

The effect of thermal history on the rheological behaviour of ester- andether-based commercial thermoplastic PUs (Estane 5701, 5707 and 5714from B.F.Goodrich) was investigated. It was found that the injectionmoulding temp. used for specimen preparation had a marked effect on thevariations of dynamic storage and loss moduli of specimens with timeobserved during isothermal annealing. Analysis of FTIR spectra indicatedthat variations in hydrogen bonding with time during isothermal annealing

very much resembled variations of dynamic storage modulus with timeduring isothermal annealing. Isochronal dynamic temp. sweep experimentsindicated that the thermoplastic PUs exhibited a hysteresis effect in theheating and cooling processes. It was concluded that the microphaseseparation transition or order-disorder transition in thermoplastic PUs couldnot be determined from the isochronal dynamic temp. sweep experiment.The plots of log dynamic storage modulus versus log loss modulus variedwith temp. over the entire range of temps. (110-190C) investigated. 57 refs.

GOODRICH B.F.USA

Accession no.771897

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Abstract

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Previous Titles Still Available

Volume 1

Report 3 Advanced Composites, D.K. Thomas, RAE, Farnborough.

Report 4 Liquid Crystal Polymers, M.K. Cox, ICI, Wilton.

Report 5 CAD/CAM in the Polymer Industry, N.W. Sandlandand M.J. Sebborn, Cambridge Applied Technology.

Report 8 Engineering Thermoplastics, I.T. Barrie, Consultant.

Report 11 Communications Applications of Polymers,R. Spratling, British Telecom.

Report 12 Process Control in the Plastics Industry,R.F. Evans, Engelmann & Buckham Ancillaries.

Volume 2

Report 13 Injection Moulding of Engineering Thermoplastics,

A.F. Whelan, London School of Polymer Technology.

Report 14 Polymers and Their Uses in the Sports and Leisure

Industries, A.L. Cox and R.P. Brown, RapraTechnology Ltd.

Report 15 Polyurethane, Materials, Processing and Applications,G. Woods, Consultant.

Report 16 Polyetheretherketone , D.J. Kemmish, ICI, Wilton.

Report 17 Extrusion, G.M. Gale, Rapra Technology Ltd.

Report 18 Agricultural and Horticultural Applications of

Polymers, J.C. Garnaud, International Committee forPlastics in Agriculture.

Report 19 Recycling and Disposal of Plastics Packaging,R.C. Fox, Plas/Tech Ltd.

Report 20 Pultrusion, L. Hollaway, University of Surrey.

Report 21 Materials Handling in the Polymer Industry,H. Hardy, Chronos Richardson Ltd.

Report 22 Electronics Applications of Polymers, M.T.Goosey,Plessey Research (Caswell) Ltd.

Report 23 Offshore Applications of Polymers, J.W.Brockbank,Avon Industrial Polymers Ltd.

Report 24 Recent Developments in Materials for Food

Packaging, R.A. Roberts, Pira Packaging Division.

Volume 3

Report 25 Foams and Blowing Agents, J.M. Methven, CellcomTechnology Associates.

Report 26 Polymers and Structural Composites in Civil

Engineering, L. Hollaway, University of Surrey.

Report 27 Injection Moulding of Rubber, M.A. Wheelans,Consultant.

Report 28 Adhesives for Structural and Engineering

Applications , C. O’Reilly, Loctite (Ireland) Ltd.Report 29 Polymers in Marine Applications, C.F.Britton,

Corrosion Monitoring Consultancy.

Report 30 Non-destructive Testing of Polymers, W.N. Reynolds,National NDT Centre, Harwell.

Report 31 Silicone Rubbers, B.R. Trego and H.W.Winnan,Dow Corning Ltd.

Report 32 Fluoroelastomers - Properties and Applications,D. Cook and M. Lynn, 3M United Kingdom Plc and3M Belgium SA.

Report 33 Polyamides, R.S. Williams and T. Daniels,T & N Technology Ltd. and BIP Chemicals Ltd.

Report 34 Extrusion of Rubber, J.G.A. Lovegrove, NovaPetrochemicals Inc.

Report 35 Polymers in Household Electrical Goods, D.Alvey,Hotpoint Ltd.

Report 36 Developments in Additives to Meet Health and

Environmental Concerns, M.J. Forrest, RapraTechnology Ltd.

Volume 4

Report 37 Polymers in Aerospace Applications, W.W. Wright,University of Surrey.

Report 39 Polymers in Chemically Resistant Applications,

D. Cattell, Cattell Consultancy Services.

Report 41 Failure of Plastics, S. Turner, Queen Mary College.

Report 42 Polycarbonates, R. Pakull, U. Grigo, D. Freitag, BayerAG.

Report 43 Polymeric Materials from Renewable Resources,J.M. Methven, UMIST.

Report 44 Flammability and Flame Retardants in Plastics,J. Green, FMC Corp.

Report 45 Composites - Tooling and Component Processing,N.G. Brain, Tooltex.

Report 46 Quality Today in Polymer Processing, S.H. Coulson,J.A. Cousans, Exxon Chemical International Marketing.

Report 47 Chemical Analysis of Polymers, G. Lawson, LeicesterPolytechnic.

Volume 5

Report 49 Blends and Alloys of Engineering Thermoplastics,H.T. van de Grampel, General Electric Plastics BV.

Report 50 Automotive Applications of Polymers II,A.N.A. Elliott, Consultant.

Report 51 Biomedical Applications of Polymers, C.G. Gebelein,Youngstown State University / Florida Atlantic University.

Report 52 Polymer Supported Chemical Reactions, P. Hodge,University of Manchester.

Report 53 Weathering of Polymers, S.M. Halliwell, BuildingResearch Establishment.

Report 54 Health and Safety in the Rubber Industry, A.R. Nutt,Arnold Nutt & Co. and J. Wade.

Report 55 Computer Modelling of Polymer Processing,E. Andreassen, Å. Larsen and E.L. Hinrichsen, Senter forIndustriforskning, Norway.

Report 56 Plastics in High Temperature Applications,J. Maxwell, Consultant.

Report 57 Joining of Plastics, K.W. Allen, City University.

Report 58 Physical Testing of Rubber, R.P. Brown, RapraTechnology Ltd.

Report 59 Polyimides - Materials, Processing and Applications,A.J. Kirby, Du Pont (U.K.) Ltd.

Report 60 Physical Testing of Thermoplastics, S.W. Hawley,

Rapra Technology Ltd.

Volume 6

Report 61 Food Contact Polymeric Materials, J.A. Sidwell,Rapra Technology Ltd.

Report 62 Coextrusion, D. Djordjevic, Klöckner ER-WE-PA GmbH.

Report 63 Conductive Polymers II, R.H. Friend, University of Cambridge, Cavendish Laboratory.

Report 64 Designing with Plastics, P.R. Lewis, The Open University.

Report 65 Decorating and Coating of Plastics, P.J. Robinson,International Automotive Design.

Report 66 Reinforced Thermoplastics - Composition, Processing

and Applications, P.G. Kelleher, New Jersey Polymer

Extension Center at Stevens Institute of Technology.

Report 67 Plastics in Thermal and Acoustic Building Insulation,V.L. Kefford, MRM Engineering Consultancy.

Report 68 Cure Assessment by Physical and Chemical

Techniques, B.G. Willoughby, Rapra Technology Ltd.



Report 69 Toxicity of Plastics and Rubber in Fire, P.J. Fardell,Building Research Establishment, Fire Research Station.

Report 70 Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Polymers,M.E. Adams, D.J. Buckley, R.E. Colborn, W.P. Englandand D.N. Schissel, General Electric Corporate Researchand Development Center.

Report 71 Rotational Moulding, R.J. Crawford, The Queen’sUniversity of Belfast.

Report 72 Advances in Injection Moulding, C.A. Maier,Econology Ltd.

Volume 7

Report 73 Reactive Processing of Polymers, M.W.R. Brown,P.D. Coates and A.F. Johnson, IRC in Polymer Scienceand Technology, University of Bradford.

Report 74 Speciality Rubbers, J.A. Brydson.

Report 75 Plastics and the Environment, I. Boustead, BousteadConsulting Ltd.

Report 76 Polymeric Precursors for Ceramic Materials,

R.C.P. Cubbon.Report 77 Advances in Tyre Mechanics, R.A. Ridha, M. Theves,

Goodyear Technical Center.

Report 78 PVC - Compounds, Processing and Applications ,J.Leadbitter, J.A. Day, J.L. Ryan, Hydro Polymers Ltd.

Report 79 Rubber Compounding Ingredients - Need, Theory

and Innovation, Part I: Vulcanising Systems,

Antidegradants and Particulate Fillers for General

Purpose Rubbers, C. Hepburn, University of Ulster.

Report 80 Anti-Corrosion Polymers: PEEK, PEKK and Other

Polyaryls, G. Pritchard, Kingston University.

Report 81 Thermoplastic Elastomers - Properties and Applications,J.A. Brydson.

Report 82 Advances in Blow Moulding Process Optimization,Andres Garcia-Rejon,Industrial Materials Institute,National Research Council Canada.

Report 83 Molecular Weight Characterisation of Synthetic

Polymers, S.R. Holding and E. Meehan, RapraTechnology Ltd. and Polymer Laboratories Ltd.

Report 84 Rheology and its Role in Plastics Processing,P. Prentice, The Nottingham Trent University.

Volume 8

Report 85 Ring Opening Polymerisation, N. Spassky, Université

Pierre et Marie Curie.Report 86 High Performance Engineering Plastics,

D.J. Kemmish, Victrex Ltd.

Report 87 Rubber to Metal Bonding, B.G. Crowther, RapraTechnology Ltd.

Report 88 Plasticisers - Selection, Applications and Implications,A.S. Wilson.

Report 89 Polymer Membranes - Materials, Structures and

Separation Performance, T. deV. Naylor, The SmartChemical Company.

Report 90 Rubber Mixing, P.R. Wood.

Report 91 Recent Developments in Epoxy Resins, I. Hamerton,

University of Surrey.Report 92 Continuous Vulcanisation of Elastomer Profiles,

A. Hill, Meteor Gummiwerke.

Report 93 Advances in Thermoforming, J.L. Throne, SherwoodTechnologies Inc.

Report 94 Compressive Behaviour of Composites,C. Soutis, Imperial College of Science, Technologyand Medicine.

Report 95 Thermal Analysis of Polymers, M. P. Sepe, Dickten &Masch Manufacturing Co.

Report 96 Polymeric Seals and Sealing Technology, J.A. Hickman,St Clair (Polymers) Ltd.

Volume 9

Report 97 Rubber Compounding Ingredients - Need, Theory

and Innovation, Part II: Processing, Bonding, Fire

Retardants, C. Hepburn, University of Ulster.

Report 98 Advances in Biodegradable Polymers, G.F. Moore &S.M. Saunders, Rapra Technology Ltd.

Report 99 Recycling of Rubber, H.J. Manuel and W. Dierkes,Vredestein Rubber Recycling B.V.

Report 100 Photoinitiated Polymerisation - Theory and

Applications , J.P. Fouassier, Ecole Nationale Supérieurede Chimie, Mulhouse.

Report 101 Solvent-Free Adhesives, T.E. Rolando, H.B. Fuller

Company.Report 102 Plastics in Pressure Pipes, T. Stafford, Rapra

Technology Ltd.

Report 103 Gas Assisted Moulding, T.C. Pearson, Gas Injection Ltd.

Report 104 Plastics Profile Extrusion, R.J. Kent, TangramTechnology Ltd.

Report 105 Rubber Extrusion Theory and Development,B.G. Crowther.

Report 106 Properties and Applications of Elastomeric

Polysulfides , T.C.P. Lee, Oxford Brookes University.

Report 107 High Performance Polymer Fibres, P.R. Lewis,The Open University.

Report 108 Chemical Characterisation of Polyurethanes,M.J. Forrest, Rapra Technology Ltd.

Volume 10

Report 109 Rubber Injection Moulding - A Practical Guide,J.A. Lindsay.

Report 110 Long-Term and Accelerated Ageing Tests on Rubbers,R.P. Brown, M.J. Forrest and G. Soulagnet,Rapra Technology Ltd.

Report 111 Polymer Product Failure, P.R. Lewis,The Open University.

Report 112 Polystyrene - Synthesis, Production and Applications,J.R. Wünsch, BASF AG.

Report 113 Rubber-Modified Thermoplastics, H. Keskkula,University of Texas at Austin.

Report 114 Developments in Polyacetylene - Nanopolyacetylene,V.M. Kobryanskii, Russian Academy of Sciences.

Report 115 Metallocene-Catalysed Polymerisation, W. Kaminsky,University of Hamburg.

Report 116 Compounding in Co-rotating Twin-Screw Extruders,Y. Wang, Tunghai University.

Report 117 Rapid Prototyping, Tooling and Manufacturing,R.J.M. Hague and P.E. Reeves, Edward MackenzieConsulting.

Report 118 Liquid Crystal Polymers - Synthesis, Properties and

Applications , D. Coates, CRL Ltd.Report 119 Rubbers in Contact with Food, M.J. Forrest and

J.A. Sidwell, Rapra Technology Ltd.

Report 120 Electronics Applications of Polymers II, M.T. Goosey,Shipley Ronal.



Volume 11

Report 121 Polyamides as Engineering Thermoplastic Materials,I.B. Page, BIP Ltd.

Report 122 Flexible Packaging - Adhesives, Coatings and

Processes, T.E. Rolando, H.B. Fuller Company.

Report 123 Polymer Blends, L.A. Utracki, National ResearchCouncil Canada.

Report 124 Sorting of Waste Plastics for Recycling, R.D. Pascoe,University of Exeter.

Report 125 Structural Studies of Polymers by Solution NMR ,H.N. Cheng, Hercules Incorporated.

Report 126 Composites for Automotive Applications, C.D. Rudd,University of Nottingham.

Report 127 Polymers in Medical Applications, B.J. Lambert andF.-W. Tang, Guidant Corp., and W.J. Rogers, Consultant.

Report 128 Solid State NMR of Polymers, P.A. Mirau,Lucent Technologies.

Report 129 Failure of Polymer Products Due to Photo-oxidation,D.C. Wright.

Report 130 Failure of Polymer Products Due to Chemical Attack,

D.C. Wright.Report 131 Failure of Polymer Products Due to Thermo-oxidation,

D.C. Wright.

Report 132 Stabilisers for Polyolefins, C. Kröhnke and F. Werner,Clariant Huningue SA.



Advances in Automation forPlastics Injection Moulding

ISBN: 1-85957-283-9

J.M. Mallon, IV

(Yushin America, Inc.)



Advances in Automation for Plastics Injection Moulding

1

Contents

1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 3

1.1 The Purpose of the Review............................................................................................................. 3

1.2 How Automation is Defined ........................................................................................................... 3

1.3 Why Automate? .............................................................................................................................. 3

1.4 Other Forces Driving Automation .................................................................................................. 3

1.5 Phases of Automation ..................................................................................................................... 4

2. Robots ....................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 History of Robots in Plastics Injection Moulding .......................................................................... 5

2.2 Robots and Flexibility..................................................................................................................... 5

2.3 Robot Configurations...................................................................................................................... 6

2.3.1 Sprue Pickers ...................................................................................................................... 62.3.2 Top-Entry, Traverse-Type Robots ...................................................................................... 62.3.3 Side-Entry, Linear-Drive Robots ........................................................................................ 72.3.4 Articulated Robots .............................................................................................................. 72.3.5 Combination Cells .............................................................................................................. 7

3. Advances in Drives and Controls ........................................................................................................... 7

3.1 Drives .............................................................................................................................................. 7

3.1.1 Pneumatic Drives ............................................................................................................... 7

3.1.2 Electric Drives .................................................................................................................... 83.1.3 Combination Drives ........................................................................................................... 8

3.2 Controls ........................................................................................................................................... 8

3.2.1 Operator Interface............................................................................................................... 83.2.2 Sequence Programmability .............................................................................................. 103.2.3 Expandability.....................................................................................................................113.2.4 Communications and Controller Integration.....................................................................11

4. Integration of Automation Systems for Phase III and IV ...................................................................11

4.1 Expected Benefits of Phase III and IV ......................................................................................... 12

4.2 Actual Operating Results .............................................................................................................. 124.3 Requirements for Phase III and IV Integration ............................................................................ 13

4.4 Standards for Higher Levels of Integration .................................................................................. 14

4.5 Implementation of Phase III and IV Automation ......................................................................... 14

4.6 Equipment Differences for Phase IV Integration ......................................................................... 16

4.6.1 Plant Material Quick-Change Systems ............................................................................ 174.6.2 Press Material Quick-Change Systems ............................................................................ 174.6.3 Mould Quick-Change Systems......................................................................................... 174.6.4 Equipment Required to Unload the Mould ...................................................................... 17

4.6.5 Flexible Value-Added Systems ........................................................................................ 174.6.6 Parts Transport Systems ................................................................................................... 18




2

The views and opinions expressed by authors in Rapra Review Reports do not necessarily reflect those of Rapra Technology Limited or the editor. The series is published on the basis that no responsibility or

liability of any nature shall attach to Rapra Technology Limited arising out of or in connection with anyutilisation in any form of any material contained therein.

4.6.7 Automated Stockyards and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems .......................... 194.6.8 Logistics and Coordination .............................................................................................. 19

4.7 Design Criteria for Higher Levels of Automation ........................................................................ 20

5. Example Applications ............................................................................................................................ 21

5.1 Small Machines............................................................................................................................. 21

5.2 Cells that Extend Production Hours Without Labour ................................................................... 21

5.3 Automated Packaging with Manual Value-Added Operations..................................................... 21

5.4 Product or Contract Specific Cells ............................................................................................... 22

5.5 Group Technology ........................................................................................................................ 22

5.5.1 In-Mould Decorating ........................................................................................................ 225.5.2 Insert Moulding ................................................................................................................ 225.5.3 Two-Component Moulding .............................................................................................. 22

5.6 Quality Control Automation ......................................................................................................... 235.7 Thermoset Cells ............................................................................................................................ 23

5.8 Examples of FMS ......................................................................................................................... 24

6. Future Developments............................................................................................................................. 24

Additional References ................................................................................................................................... 25

References from the Rapra Abstracts Database ........................................................................................ 27

Subject Index ................................................................................................................................................. 77




3

1 Introduction

1.1 The Purpose of the Review

There are few complete technical sources of

information available for plastic injection mouldersto use relating to automation. However, there havebeen articles written on various components of thetechnology. This review has been compiled byresearching and analysing technical references, thenplacing them into a logical order. The overview is notan attempt to describe robot design theory andengineering, which can be found in engineeringpublications. It is intended to describe the basics of the technology and to explain how to put thetechnology to use.

1.2 How Automation is Defined

For the scope of the review, automation is defined asthose operations associated with handling the plasticparts after moulding. It includes operationscommencing when the mould opens and concluding atthe shipping dock. Operations such as the use of quickmould change devices are discussed only in a contextwhere they must be specified properly to integrate intothe overall automation strategy.

1.3 Why Automate?

Automation serves one main purpose: to generate costsavings. Most moulding facilities have made mouldingupstream processes, such as resin material handling,automatic. The injection moulding process itself ishighly automated. However, once the mould opens,many plants use direct and indirect labour to add value,to package, and to move parts. As so many moulders

have optimised the upstream processes, the post-moulding operations remain the biggest area for costsaving potential.

Additional savings can be generated depending onthe applications run in each cell. Converting a semi-automatic cycle to a fully automatic cycle canincrease production. More consistent cycles reduceprocess variability and increase the quality and yieldof good parts. The quality levels now demanded byend users cannot be produced with semi-automatic

operation of moulding machines, and 100% manualinspection to find defects is becoming too expensive.Mould damage is reduced by the robot monitoring

sensors that detect part removal from the mould.Controlled part handling reduces damage to parts.Reduced floor space and reduced work in processcan be substantial.

1.4 Other Forces Driving Automation

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are askingmoulders to add more value to parts. They will have toadd value at costs competitive to low-wage countries.In addition, many moulders are being asked to lowercosts over the life of a moulding contract. Direct andindirect labour required to add value or transport partscould be eliminated through the use of automation.Capital that was previously used to add more mouldingcapacity is now being redirected to post-mouldingoperations and increasing utilisation of existingcapacity.

It will be difficult to make profits if a company is onlymoulding and shipping parts. Modern press controllershave made producing quality parts easier. Increasedprofits will depend on value-added operations and theefficiency of these operations as compared tocompetitors. Automation is the only way to compete.

Quality must be automatically checked and recorded

to achieve the quality levels now expected. Manualsystems are error prone in comparison to a programmedautomation system, which is more accurate and cancheck its work.

It may also be difficult to find personnel due to a labourshortage in many countries and jobs are sometimes lessthan desirable.

Moulders will need to use technology and automationto achieve quality and low-cost goals. The automation

will need to be flexible to adapt to shorter product lifecycles, shorter runs and quicker product introductions.

As moulders increasingly use automation, competitionfor new work will depend on the ability to competeand bid for jobs cost effectively. Being efficient andkeeping up with competitive levels of automation willmean survival in the future.

Automation will become critical to an OEMsperception of a moulder’s efficiency level. Advanced

levels of automation require greater sophistication fromthe moulder, which will help distinguish them andsecure new business.




4

1.5 Phases of Automation

Robot implementation typically occurs in four phasesin moulding plants:

Phase I: Pick-and-Place. Robots are added to mouldingmachines to perform what is essentially a pick-and-placefunction. Parts are removed from the press and placedonto a downstream device such as a conveyor or table.The moulding cycle goes from semi-automatic to fullautomatic operation. Often no labour is saved, or oneoperator is shared between two presses saving one-half of an operator per machine. The production increases bya minimum of 15% due to the elimination of the operatorwho would normally interrupt the cycle to remove parts.

Phase II: Value-Added Production. Robots begin adding

slightly more value to parts with secondary operationssuch as decorating, palletising, degating or flexinghinges. Usually one-half to one operator is eliminated.

Phase III: Cell Manufacturing. The robots areperforming multiple operations beside the press to addas much value as the cycle will allow. A work cellconsists of two or more integrated devices that performmultiple, closely related operations next to the injection

moulding machine. Parts are processed, inspected, andpackaged for transport in the work cell. From one-half to two operators are eliminated based on how muchwork the cell can do.

Phase IV: Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) (Figure

1). FMS can be defined in plastics moulding as a centralcomputer directing the automatic manufacturing of products, automatically transporting the products,automatically storing the products and automaticallyperforming changeovers. Short runs are easilyaccommodated. The moulding shop floor runs in a trulyautomatic (lights out) operation. Cells are retooled quicklyby reprogramming flexible elements. Minimum job-specific automation is used because the automation mustbe easily adaptable. Both direct and indirect labour issaved. Quality is automatically monitored and corrected.

Reference (296) details the use of FMS in Japan.

With the exception of small parts that can be shipped inbulk, this last phase remains elusive for moulders becauseof the degree of technology and investment required. In10 years, Phase IV will be common in large companies.Smaller moulders will need to automate up to Phase III,but may have difficulty automating further because of the large investment and engineering support required.

Figure 1

An example of a flexible manufacturing system




5

2 Robots

At the centre of most moulding automation cells is arobot. Robots are multifunctional, reprogrammable,material-handling devices. The robot removes parts and

transfers them through a series of secondary operations.

Parts that can fall free from the machine undamagedand can be bulk-packaged without using any value-added operations, do not require robots.

2.1 History of Robots in Plastics Injection

Moulding

Several articles referenced below chronicle the advances

of robot technology for plastics injection moulding.

The traverse-type robots and sprue pickers that weredesigned specifically for plastics processing were firstused in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Japan, driven bylabour shortages, mould design, and requirements topick-and-place parts without many value-addedoperations, began using the technology extensively inthe 1970s. Early robots were pneumatic-type devicescontrolled by simple hard-wired electrical circuits.Sequence steps were initiated by timers or limit switchesat the end strokes of each axis. The robots were only

reprogrammable by activating selector switches orrewiring the controllers (272). The robots were usedprimarily to convert a semi-automatic cycle to a fullyautomatic cycle or to reduce damage caused by gravitypart ejection (298, 300). Early robot installations weresometimes less than successful, as the mouldingmachines, auxiliaries, materials or moulds they ran onwere not consistent or reliable (299). Programmablelogic controllers (PLCs) or microprocessors replacedhard-wired controllers in the late 1970s and early 1980s.Robots became commonplace in the United States andEurope replacing operators removing parts from the

moulding machine (300, 301).

Electric drives became more widely used in the late1970s and early 1980s. The long traverse axis was thefirst to be converted to electric drive due to the difficultyin obtaining and using very long pneumatic cylinders.The traverse axis also quickly benefited from electricdrives to multiposition parts outside the press. The firstelectric drives relied on limit switches and breaks forcontrol and positioning.

There is a rapid transformation going on presently inthe plastics industry to electric drives. The preferredmethod for axis drives uses servo motors for flexibility,

and the cost of the technology has lowered. Servomotors with encoders are very efficient, highlyrepeatable and capable of positioning anywhere alongthe physical axis limits.

With servo drives came considerably more advanced

controllers. The controllers initially used computernumerically controlled (CNC) languages, but thenconverted to robot languages that are easier to use.Some advanced controllers allow graphic programmingor programming by leading the robot through asequence and having the robot play it back in auto (a.1).

The moulding machine control technology evolved tosupport unmanned operation of a moulding cell. Processcontrollers could mould precisely and repeatedly, detectdefective parts, and signal the robot to separate them.This is a major step to unattended running. Mouldingmachine manufacturers also developed technology tochange moulds, to purge or change barrels and to restartproduction. The equipment costs were becomingeconomically feasible to deploy automation (290).Computer power, software and connectivity alsodeveloped during the mid-1980s to allow large-scaleintegration of unmanned cells and FMS. Auxiliarydevices such as material handling and water temperaturecontrol devices evolved to be precise and consistentenough to allow automation in the mid-1980s (288, 293).

By the mid- to late 1980s, all of the necessarytechnologies were developed, were economicallyfeasible, and were within view of many manufacturers.Plants with proprietary products had achieved highlevels of unmanned operation. Truly flexible,unmanned operation for custom moulders and short-run, just-in-time (JIT) moulders is now available.

2.2 Robots and Flexibility

A robot is used to transfer parts once moulded throughother operations. It is the main link to cellularmanufacturing.

The robot’s flexibility is based on the number and typeof axis motions, the size of the work envelope, the axis-drive method, the payload, the speed, theprogrammability, the ability to control and interlockto secondary machines or processes, and the ease of operation (235). The higher the level of specificationin each category, the greater the robot’s flexibility, andthe greater its potential to generate cost savings through

value-added work. However, the greater the flexibility,the greater the cost. Therefore, the robot’s configurationshould be optimised for its intended use (a.2).




6

2.3 Robot Configurations

Robots in plastics processing usually consist of fourmain types. There are some configurations less usedthat are not outlined here.

2.3.1 Sprue Pickers

Three-axis, top-entry robots with two linear axes andone rotary axis are generally referred to as spruepickers (Figure 2). An arm enters the mould, removesthe runner, swings out over the safety door through90 degrees and re-extends the main arm to releasethe runner. Parts fall free under the mould. Sometimessprue pickers are equipped with end-of-arm tooling

and vacuum units to remove light parts with vacuumcups. Drive type is most commonly pneumatic withone linear axis, which is sometimes electric. Onelinear axis pulls the runner off the mould. The mainarm is also used to enter and exit the mould area. Therotary axis is used to pivot the main arm through 45to 90 degrees so that it can re-extend and release partsand runners past the side of the injection mouldingmachine. Sprue pickers are generally used to removerunners on machines of 500 tons and under.

2.3.2 Top-Entry, Traverse-Type Robots

Top-entry, traverse-type robots are the most commonrobots used to remove parts from injection mouldingmachines. Traverse-type robots have three linear axesand one rotary axis. Second arms are sometimes addedto remove runners from three-plate moulds, to stackmoulds or for secondary part manipulation. Up to twoadditional rotary axes may be added to the robot wristfor added flexibility. A vertical axis (main arm) is usedto remove parts from the mould area as well as to extendbeyond the outside of the press to place parts. Thetraverse axis is used to bring the main arm outside thepress. A kick axis or strip axis that runs parallel to theclamp axis of the moulding machine is used to removethe parts from the mould and runs in line with theinjection unit. The traverse axis is 90 degrees to the

injection unit on the moulding machine. Occasionally,the traverse axis is mounted in parallel to the injectionunit to allow part placement over the clamp end of themachine. This is useful for facilities with limited spacebetween machines. Drive types are pneumatic, electricor a combination of the two.

Top-entry, traverse robots have a large rectangular workenvelope and can perform a wide variety of value-addedwork. This includes assembly, boxing, and inspection.

Figure 2

A sprue picker




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2.3.3 Side-Entry, Linear-Drive Robots

Side-entry robots have one to three linear axes and arotary wrist axis. A side-entry robot mounts to thetop of the machine, the side of the machine or to apress-side table and enters the mould area from therear side. Two main types have been employed. Thefirst type is a very high-speed extractor designed toremove parts and feed them to secondary equipment.The work envelopes are usually restricted to thedistances and motions required for part removal. Thesecond type is designed for low ceiling clearanceapplications or those where restrictions will not allowthe parts to come out of the injection mouldingmachine (IMM) vertically. Drive types are pneumatic,electric or a combination of the two.

However, side-entry robots do have drawbacks. Theyrestrict access to the rear side of the machine and arein the way when not being used. They lack a longvertical arm, which limits their performance of secondary functions as they cannot reach into othermachines or containers.

2.3.4 Articulated Robots

Articulated robots are three- to six-axes, rotary-driven, jointed robots. Their advantage is the ability to

manipulate parts through a wide variety of positions.Difficult secondary operations can be performed. Forcomplex manipulations, the cell cost may beminimised with articulated robots because the robot’swrist can orient parts, as against building orientationfunctions into the downstream equipment (75). Manyusers feel articulated robots are most advantageouson large parts requiring complex manipulations andhave little benefit on smaller parts (87). Articulatedrobots are most often mounted beside the injectionmoulding machine, but sometimes on top of theplaten. Drive type is almost always electric and

usually servo motor.

There are disadvantages of articulated robots: theyare in the way when not being used, require a largework envelope, are slower to remove parts than linear-drive robots, require greater mould-open distances,and do not allow access or use of secondary machineswhen the robot is not in use (235). They also needextensive programming and expertise to operate thembecause their programming is designed for generalindustrial use and not specifically injection moulding.

The added support required for articulated robots cantake away savings generated, and therefore, they mustbe applied carefully.

2.3.5 Combination Cells

Sometimes, the best way to approach cell design is tocombine a linear-drive, extraction robot with anarticulated robot. The press cycle will have minimal

impact, and the cell can be flexible. The articulatedrobots can eliminate the requirement for fixedautomation that is application specific. References(38, 41, 83) outline the use of such cell design.

3 Advances in Drives and Controls

Drives and controls have advanced rapidly since robotswere first introduced. These advances have been

making robots more flexible, resulting in moreutilisation in moulding facilities.

3.1 Drives

Drives are chosen by considering the following factors:torque, speed range, size, positioning capability,repeatability, cleanliness, initial cost, operating costs(including energy and maintenance) and reliability.Repeatability is defined as the robot’s ability to return

precisely to a taught point. Repeatability is critical forautomation to perform its tasks reliably over a longperiod of time.

Drive methods for industrial robots consist of pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric. The application of hydraulics for robots used in plastics is almostnonexistent. Hydraulics are energy intensive. They canhave complications common to fluid systems: filtration,leakage and cooling. The forces required for robots inplastics are well under that of hydraulic systems.

3.1.1 Pneumatic Drives

Pneumatic drives are low cost, but can only positionaccurately and repeatedly at the end of strokes ormechanical stops. They are mostly used on applicationsrequiring pick-and-place operations without value-addedoperations. The setup of the robot must be donemechanically, making short runs difficult to accommodate.Pneumatic drives are familiar to shop floor personnel and

easy to maintain. Therefore, pneumatic drives are mostlyused in dedicated, long-running, pick-and-place operationsor entry-level applications.




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3.1.2 Electric Drives

Electric drives have the advantage of being able to stopanywhere along the axis of travel. Their costs are higherthan pneumatic.

Electric drives come in two main types:

The first type and the most flexible and repeatable isthe servo motor (Figure 3). A servo motor constantlymonitors its position and corrects it. The setup is allelectronic and adjusted through a teach pendant.

The second type is an induction motor with a feedbackdevice. The feedback device can be fixed on the axis(such as a switch) or be on the drive itself (such as anencoder). The motor usually does not correct itself once

it stops and often uses a break or locking mechanismto hold the axis position. The induction motor is nothighly repeatable, often varying by 1 mm, is moremechanically intensive, requires more energy tooperate, and is slower for the size motor that can beused. The setup of the robot must be done manuallyfor fixed-sensor robots and through a teach pendantfor motors with an integral feedback device.

3.1.3 Combination Drives

Some robots use a combination of pneumatic and electricdrives (Figure 4) to optimise cost. The pneumatic driveswill be on the axis that does not need multipositioning ordoes not require changing from one job to another. Electric

drives will be on the other axes. The most commoncombination drive is a servo motor on the traverse axis toallow for multiple part positioning outside the press.

3.2 Controls

The characteristics of the controller should fit theapplication. The design must be balanced incorporatingcost, operator interface, programmability, memory andexpandability. A pick-and-place or dedicated applicationwill not require the same level of sophistication as a

flexible value-added cell with servo drives.

3.2.1 Operator Interface

The operator interface must allow all functions withminimal training and time. The functions that will berequired are setup, troubleshooting, cycling and monitoring.

Figure 3

The servo feedback loop




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The use of graphics for operator interfaces isbecoming more widespread. A graphic interface(Figure 5) showing the robot and other main functionsgreatly reduces operator training, downtime and setuptime. Many controllers require knowledge of robotlanguages to operate safely without crashing.

Controllers have evolved to a stage where an engineeris no longer required to set up and operate the robot(131). Staff assigned to keep the moulding machinesin operation can handle the robot setup and operation.Technical staff that performs mould changes ormachine repair can create new programs.

Figure 4Combination drive robot

Figure 5

An example graphic operator interface




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3.2.2 Sequence Programmability

Sequence programmability is now very advanced.Teach pendants allow the robot to be programmed online. Off-line programming systems (Figure 6a and

6b) minimise cell downtime and accommodate

concurrent engineering or rapid product releases. Atypical off-line system allows up to 70% to 90% of theprogram to be developed off line and debugged on line(235). Some programming packages allow messagesto be written and displayed (Figure 7). The programmercan direct the operator to interact with the cell.

(a)

(b)

Figure 6

Example of off-line programming systems




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Figure 7

Example error message

3.2.3 Expandability

Controls for programmable robots are becoming moreexpandable. When hardware, software and operatingsystems comply with industry standards and are userexpandable, it is called open architecture. Openarchitecture is the desired configuration. Expandablecontrollers are used to control secondary devices or

machines in work cells, allowing more value to be addedto parts. Distributed control machines have processorsand input/output units at different places on the robot orwithin the cell (131). The advantages of distributedcontrol are the speed of processing programs and controlas well as reduced wiring on or between devices.

Distributed control also eliminates the requirement forduplicate control and software within a cell (235). Theoperator interface can be shared. When using onecontroller to control the cell, the setup flowsautomatically to each machine (292).

3.2.4 Communications and Controller

Integration

Communications from the robot to the IMM or to acentral computer are useful in Phase II and III and arerequired for Phase IV installations. Communicationsbetween the robot and moulding machine are used forquick program changing, clamp interlocks, starting andstopping and error logging. Communications between

the robot and a central computer are used for programchanging, remote monitoring, central administrationand status logging.

Communications to the moulding machine can gobeyond the information exchange above. In somecases, the robot controllers are integrated closely bydirect hook up to the moulding machine computer bus.This allows for fast, real time exchange of data suchas the clamp position. In other cases, additional

transducers are added to the press, but hooked up tothe robot controller (123, 131). The robot tracking of the clamp position allows it to move with the clampas it opens or closes. This feature is useful on largemachines with deep-draw parts. Cycle time is savedfor robot extraction.

4 Integration of Automation Systems

for Phase III and IV

Many companies have deployed Phase I and II systems.Small companies that do not have substantial financialand technical resources tend to automate up to Phase Ior II. However, Phase III and IV systems will berequired to compete with developing countries and low-wage competition when value is added. Many mouldershave difficulty reaching this level of automation dueto a lack of understanding, poor vision and planning,and lack of management commitment. Phase I and IIsystems can be retrofitted onto existing equipment with

little planning. Phase III and IV systems require arationalisation of the entire manufacturing operation,equipment and operational procedures. Machinepurchases and internal systems that are made for theshort term become barriers themselves to futureoptimisation. They can be incompatible with futurerequirements or tie up capital, and potential savingsare not realised.

Reduced product lifecycles and the quantity of productoptions have drastically reduced the amount of long-running moulding applications. The long-running jobsthat do exist are often produced with low inventory, just-in-time (JIT) requirements. Accordingly, post-mouldingautomation that is not dedicated to running one part forseveral years has to accommodate a wide variety of partgeometry and orientations. A high degree of flexibilityis required. Technology has evolved in the past few yearsto allow automated moulding in these conditions. Insome cases, it is still expensive or support-intensive torun. Some facilities that used fixed automation for oneproject have found automation equipment and itsdepreciation costs to be very burdensome and prohibitive

in adapting to other jobs. These facilities often fail orrequire large retooling costs that could have been avoidedwith more flexible automation.




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In the past, the absence of equipment from suppliersthat could operate and communicate seamlessly in ahighly automated facility was also a barrier. Moulderswere often faced with doing extensive research, makingmodifications and committing substantial resources tointegrating a facility. The resources required for this were

very specialised and expensive. An alternative is topurchase complete systems from highly developedsuppliers, but the cost may be high. Some conceptsdemonstrated by manufacturers are not economicallyfeasible and never make it from the trade shows intoplants. However, the evolution of computers has resultedin components that are now easier to integrate and morecost effective. The moulding industry’s use of computerintegration and communications has not kept pace withtechnology. However, industry standards are nowemerging to make the integration easier. Many suppliershave communications hardware, but do not havesufficient software tools to communicate to plant floorcomputer networks. Hopefully, certification processeswill emerge so that users will know that pieces will ‘plug-and-play’ and communicate with minimal effort.

All phases of automation are now economically feasible.The best approach to higher levels of automation maybe to specify equipment for the level of future integrationrequired in the next ten years. A project plan is then laidout to implement automation in phases. Sometimes whena moulding machine is replaced, the entire cell is

upgraded and integrated. Some manufacturers willimplement projects across a common press tonnagerange. Moulds within that tonnage are then standardisedfor quick-changeover systems. The experience fromprevious cells is used to design and integrate future cellsin a constant evolution process. Capital equipment andproject risk is minimised. Personnel in the facility havetime to adapt to new methods as well.

4.1 Expected Benefits of Phase III and IV

The amount of investment required for each employeeeliminated has been shown to increase for higherlevels of automation (256). Due to increased costs,more scrutiny is needed to identify applications, toproject manage them and to audit them to ensuresavings are delivered. However, studies have alsoshown that greater levels of investment have deliveredlinearly proportionately greater levels of savings. Thepoint of diminishing returns has not been reachedwithin the industry.

A European study showed a strong tendency forproductivity gains by flexible simplified organisations,not exclusively capital investment in automation (199).

Indicators that may show organisational flexibilitywould be the degree of implementation of JIT, statisticalprocess control (SPC), material resource planning(MRP), computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/ CAM), agile or lean manufacturing processes, andcontinuous improvement programmes.

As most companies are using purchased off-the-shelf technology, the competitive advantage depends on howthoroughly and efficiently the technology is deployedby the organisation. Many moulders added secondaryoperations after moulding for several years and maynot have assigned resources to optimise and organisethem into the best configuration. Non-value-addedoperations and poor layouts can smother the potentialprofitability of these operations.

A new perspective is required to implement automationand justify it. Many financial justifications are designedfor a short-term, one-time expenditure to solve amanufacturing problem. A different process is neededfor long-term, continuous, strategic manufacturingdecisions and justifications focused on efficientmanufacturing. The automation will have to be phasedin over a period of months or years. The justificationand purchasing process must allow measurement of productivity savings and expenses against a multiyearplan. Once plans are approved and implementationstarts, it is also essential to regularly audit the progress

of expenditures, utilisations and savings, and tocompare them against what had been planned. Thislevel of automation is a journey, not a one-timepurchase and installation.

It is common to find operations that may significantlyadd cost to the project, but contribute little to savings.Operations such as these are better eliminated,performed manually, or redesigned to be more costeffective. Compare the costs of options required forquick changeovers and justify them against the benefitsexpected.

Equipment required for unmanned flexiblemanufacturing systems can sometimes be twice theprice of standard machinery and must be justified withcareful analysis and implementation plans.

4.2 Actual Operating Results

Overall reduction in manufacturing costs of 20% iscommon and sometimes up to 40% has been achieved

from receipt of the resin to the finished productshipment (129). Press utilisation can go up as much as50% overall.




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Best-in-class machine/cell efficiency will averagearound 93% once debugged. Actual efficiency dependson the complexity of the cell and the amount of changeover required.

Many users gain the largest financial payback based on

the elimination of direct labour. Some applications, suchas quick cycles or large parts, are held up by the operatorsand more production can be obtained when automated.It is difficult to utilise 100% of labour beside themoulding machine. Utilisation of only 50 to 70% iscommon. Centralising the value-added operations orautomating them lowers lost labour (294).

The goal of several automation systems is to movebeyond direct labour savings to minimise or eliminateindirect labour. Labour required to change over systems,to monitor quality, to move materials to the machines,and to transport materials through the factory can beeliminated. Companies have found the only way toremove variability and to achieve zero-defect productionis to eliminate manual operations and automate theremaining ones. Operators are then in charge of monitoring the production, machinery and quality, andof making final shipments (41). When direct and indirectlabour is eliminated, there can be substantial savings inother support and administration departments due to thereduction in the management of personnel required.

Consistent cycles, consistent secondary operations, on-line measurement, segregation and control all contributeto the increase in quality. Automated measurement ismore accurate than human measurement systems. Theautomation systems used have integral quality checksof each operation to immediately detect errors, segregatethem and prevent scrapping of subsequent higher-valueproduction. The systems used prior to cell automationrequired a lot of work in process and errors that weredetected caused a lot of scrap.

Some companies automate initially to be able to offset

shorter mandated workweeks or to extend plantutilisation over weekends. The entire operationutilisation and efficiency goes up as fixed costs are spreadacross 20% more shipments when going from a five-day operation to a six-day operation. Weekend operationmay be done with little or no staff. The unmanned hoursuse less energy for human comfort and lighting.

Floor-space reductions due to less work in process,storage space and secondary operations can be up to20%. Floor space reduction is critical for costly real estateareas or cramped facilities where the cost of the

automation is much less than new facility space. Capitalexpenditure for more moulding machines and supportequipment is avoided. Automated vertical warehouses

can take up to one-quarter or one-half the area of conventional warehouses depending on their height.

Deliveries can be improved due to quick changeoversand shorter queue times in cell manufacturing.Scheduling complexities are greatly reduced and on-time

performance improves.

Short runs, low inventory, increased product variationsand shortened product lives propel the requirement.Quick changeovers are also required for rapid productlaunches. Rapid changeovers drive up the labour requiredto perform them if not automated, and hinder cellutilisation. The changeover time must be measured fromthe previous part to the first good new part. Systemsmust be designed and coordinated to be as automated aspossible with as many operations as possible changingover in parallel.

Automation that is implemented for quick changeoverscan increase press utilisation by at least 5% and as muchas 15 to 20%. Changeovers are quicker and require fewerpersonnel because they are done automatically. Quickchangeover systems allow companies to lower work-in-progress inventories. Some successful manufacturershave reported that the equipment investment equalledthe cost of the inventory reduction. In this case, it wasviewed that investment in equipment was preferable toinvestment in inventory. Certainly, the lower inventory

has a significant ongoing benefit after the equipment ispurchased. Automation of office functions, such as orderentry, quality control, and production control arenecessary to keep up with the speed of quick changeoversystems in the plant.

Worker satisfaction also escalates. A European studyfound that 50% of employees polled expressed that their

job became more interesting versus 13% who expressedthe job was more boring; 48% expressed the job waseasier versus 15% who expressed the job was harder.Only 1% lost jobs. This low number is probably due to

the fact that labour is in short supply and is difficult toretain in many plastics manufacturing environments.

4.3 Requirements for Phase III and IV

Integration

One of the most critical steps for higher levels of automation does not involve automation at all. Theorganisation, customers, parts, moulds and processes allhave to be rationalised and improved to accept greater

levels of automation. The improvements may start anytime and progress throughout the integration process (161,257). Moulders should discuss what production can be




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profitable and under what constraints, determine whatprocesses match the company’s competencies, determinewhat levels of efficiency will be required to reach theprofitability goals and determine the levels of quality andquality-tracability data required. Remaining processes willneed to be automated as much as possible and integratedinto the data-processing network. An automation missionstatement can then be written.

Next, the remaining processes from receipt of an orderuntil invoicing should be put into a flow chart. All nonvalue-added operations in the production flow path shouldbe eliminated, minimised or automated. Automating nonvalue-added operations is expensive and can make afacility noncompetitive and increase depreciation costs.

The company then needs to conduct a gap analysis to

determine how to get to the desired goals. The gap analysisshould include moulds and current production machinerycapabilities. Automation will not compensate for moulds,moulding machines or secondary equipment incapableof producing high levels of quality parts. A plan needs tobe implemented to improve tooling and machinery toachieve desired results. The improved tooling maintenancecosts and preventative maintenance (PM) programmecosts that are required to sustain high levels of qualityfrom processes should be factored into the justification.Each job or expected job should be analysed using actualdata, fitting it to the optimum machine and process

equipment, to produce parts with the lowest cost andhighest quality. From here, the plant layout, material flows,flexibility and changeover requirements can be defined.Finally, an investment schedule can be put together.

4.4 Standards for Higher Levels of Integration

The next step to higher levels of integration is bydeveloping standards. The moulding machines need sizestandardisation along with defined specifications and

options. Many plants will standardise on a small numberof different sizes of machines to reduce the number of variables and the variety of different support equipmentin the facility. Limiting machine size from three to fivesizes with at least three machines per size has workedwell for some facilities. Choosing one manufacturer, onecontroller or one communications interface is importantin order to use setups from one machine to the next. Ideally,the moulding machine will have a high degree of processcontrol and automatic adaptability to changing conditions.Machines should be able to start and stop automaticallyand communicate with other auxiliary machines.

The moulds will also need some standards set. Moulddimensions may need to be analysed and classified for

the tonnage of machine they will run in. The mould-to-press mechanical interface for quick-change systemsshould be fixed. Platen attachment methods need to bestandardised along with ejector, electrical, water,pneumatic, and hydraulic connections. Mould runnersystems must be extremely reliable as well. Hot runners

and sub-gated runners are easier to automate because theydo not require post-extraction processes to obtain gate-vestige quality. Automatic systems require greater mouldquality construction standards because there are no longeroperators present to inspect and correct mould problems.Preventative maintenance intervals must be set to maintainthe moulds’ consistent production of good parts.

Auxiliaries such as mould temperature controllers andresin material dryers should be tested, calibrated andcertified to be within specification before integration.Standardising auxiliaries will assist greatly in speeding

integration and maintaining quality. All devices shouldbe specified with communications for changeovers,process status and diagnostics.

For special machinery, standardise the components fromwhich the system will be assembled. The addedcomplexity of special machinery has a large support costif improperly coordinated. Programming, tooling,troubleshooting, spare parts and maintenancerequirements are operating expenses that need to becontrolled through standardisation and training. Try tochoose components that are flexible and reusable. Someprojects fail because the cost of ownership, retooling andsupport are excessive.

Since parts always need to be moved within a facility andto customers, part transport methods and containers mustbe standardised. Some users develop separate containersfor inside the facility and for shipment to customers. Otherusers have succeeded by using standardised, reusablecontainers for internal and external use. Containers needto be designed to be rigid and accurate. There are moreand more industry-wide container standards beingemployed and used in plants.

A computer network can be built to support the newsystems from door to door. The computer communicationsarchitecture, protocols and data collection/analysisrequirements need to be defined, and installed in levels tosupport future levels of integration.

4.5 Implementation of Phase III and IV

Automation

At this point, implementation of systems with solidproject management procedures can begin. The degreeof project management to get to Phase III and IV is very




15

high compared to the lower phases. Many businessesdevelop informal methods of project management toobtain moulds, run jobs and manually add value. Theseinformal project-management methods are ineffectivein managing long-range automation strategies andassociated resources, communications and risks. This

applies in cross-functional projects like automation thatrequire understanding and assistance from alldepartments. Many projects have failed because of improper project-management techniques. Failures areblamed on individuals, when results actually rely ondirection from management. Formal projectmanagement procedures and reviews should beestablished to ensure success. Many resources exist fortraining and consulting in project management. Keyelements of project management are listed below.

• Assign a team leader in manufacturing whounderstands plant processes.

• State long-range objectives of the automationprogramme. Define at least five years and possiblyten years since the equipment life andimplementation will be approximately that long.

• Ensure all pertinent information is in writing, in oneplace and organised into a specification. Manyprojects that fail or have less than desired resultsare due to a lack of initial guidelines and planning.

• Define the project thoroughly with as manydisciplines as possible. At a minimum, eachstakeholder department should be involved. Earlysupplier involvement is critical if the entire processis to be suitable and cost effective to automate. Parts,moulds, factory layout, processes, materialshandling and QC requirements need to be workedout together. It is difficult and expensive to retrofithighly automated solutions to systems improperlydesigned or coordinated.

• Define performance measurements and milestonesso project status can be monitored and corrected asrequired.

• Develop a timeline and commit resources. Reviewthe plan regularly and more extensively at eachmilestone.

• Study the design of each major component carefullywith cross-functional teams. Try to define failuremodes and design them out or minimise their impact.For errors that may cause hold ups, define the desired

recovery methods to resume or maintain automaticoperation. Define the safety requirements of any newmachinery or process. Document all specifications

in writing. This step is extremely important toguarantee proper implementation and utilisation.

• Set up formal reviews and communication strategies,as all departments will need to be involved and keptadvised of the status. Communications must include

vendors and customers. Take corrective actionswhere required. Lack of team communications isone of the chief causes of project failures.

• Ensure the plan has sufficient training commitments.Ideally, training is performed just beforeimplementation of each milestone. Users report thattraining and retraining is critical to implementationand successful operation. Automation systems aremore complex and require new disciplines withinthe moulding facility. Multidisciplined employeesare important to keep a cell running with minimal

staff. Aim to identify competencies required for staff at each new level of integration. Develop trainingand verification systems supporting each level.

• Set installation and acceptance criteria carefully.Often, a large degree of coordination is requiredbetween departments to get all of the pieces runningand optimised. Confirm safety features and performfinal training before turning a system over toproduction. Installation planning must includesufficient preplanning to allow for productiondowntime and for scaling up the system through

optimisation and debugging. Plan for using extraresources for the first few weeks of implementationto get the cell running reliably and efficiently. Thereshould be a formal optimisation team in placeincluding key vendors. Redundant manual systemsor inventory build up may also need to be considered.

• Implement a PM procedure and monitor itseffectiveness. It is difficult with systems integrationto develop complete PM plans up front because of the customer nature of the systems and no pasthistory to rely on.

• Return and audit milestone installations after threeto six months running to ensure results are sustainedand no issues remain.

• A wise strategy is to implement in increasingcomplexity, after each phase is installed andcertified. Start off easily and debug processes andautomation strategies. Qualify each process step fordesired quality and consistency then integrate it. Alarge unqualified integration project will have toomuch downtime and associated frustration.

Integrating in steps uncovers barriers, which oncehandled, improves the operation and allows furtherintegration and continuous improvement (289).




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4.6 Equipment Differences for Phase IV

Integration

Phase IV is a much higher level of automation thanprevious phases and requires a high degree of integration and control. This phase goes beyond islandsof automation into a fully functional, highlycoordinated, quick changeover, lights out factory.

The key to implementing flexible manufacturingsystems is to buy flexible components. Flexiblecomponents are those that can be reconfigured easilyfor different parts, often by reprogramming thenrecalling setups. A minimum of mechanical changes isrequired to reuse or retool the equipment. Changeoversbetween runs must be done automatically and rapidly.Contract manufacturers, in particular, must use flexible

components or their main competitive advantage of quick reaction and adaptability is lost. Automation mustnot make an organisation slower or less adaptive.Flexible components cost more, but have a longer life,which lowers risks and allows the equipment to bedepreciated over longer time periods. The useful lifeof flexible systems is often two to four times that of inflexible dedicated components.

The main components requiring flexibility are:

• A plant material quick-change system to delivermaterial from the warehouse to the press.

• A press material, quick-change system.

• A mould quick-change system.

• A press par ts handling robot with a quickchangeover system.

• A value-added automation system with quick-change ability for different parts requiringdifferent tooling and software.

• A parts-transport system to deliver componentsto the cell and remove production. The systemwill link the cells to an automated stockyard orwarehouse. This portion of automationintegration links up the ‘islands’ of automationthat are stand-alone manufacturing cells(Figure 8).

Figure 8

Examples of Phase IV system




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• An automated stockyard or automated storageand retrieval system for work in process andfinished goods.

• A computer network to link all processes togetherand a central computer and software to control,monitor, change, and track data for the factory.

The degree of Phase IV development can be judged bythe amount and sophistication of the componentsimplemented.

4.6.1 Plant Material Quick-Change Systems

A plant material quick-change system must be designed

to deliver each different material to each different press.Systems may have to be designed to be self-cleaning toensure that no contamination occurs during changeover.The systems must be able to be sequenced from a centralcomputer and accommodate material, colorant and dryair if required. These systems are often quite differentfrom the ones presently installed in many facilities (258).The system sequence is purge the material lines andhoppers, confirm cleaning is complete and deliver newmaterials. The new moulding sequence can then begin.

4.6.2 Press Material Quick-Change Systems

Ideally, jobs can be scheduled in machines using thesame material. For many facilities, this is not possible.A moulding-machine material quick-change system isrequired and generally composed of systems to purgeand refeed the injection unit. Systems were developedin the 1980s to automatically change barrels, but theyproved to be not commercially viable.

Semi-automatic systems are still used because of the

complexities involved in performing changeovers andkeeping systems clean.

4.6.3 Mould Quick-Change Systems

A mould quick-change system may be composed of:

• A mould storage system.

• A mould t ranspor t system. Moulds can be

transported with overhead programmable cranes,automatic carts or semi-automatic carts.Programmable cranes require less floor space.

• A mould preheat and staging station.

• Mould loading systems to pull moulds out of thepress and load new moulds into the press.

• A mould clamping and location system. Thissystem must also have connectors for utilities.Quick connectors for hydraulics are required if core-pull sequences require them. Hot-runnersystems need to be quickly connected andintegrated to the press controller. Provisions maybe required to confirm the proper mould is in thepress and connected fully. Some companies haveeven used robots to change core and cavity setswithin the mould (287). Die positioning accuracyafter a mould change is important so a robot canautomatically change its end-of-arm tooling and

interface to the mould.

• On occasion, a mould cool-down station is requiredbefore storage.

Safety and interlocks of these systems must be wellthought out and controlled, as moulds are very heavyand expensive, and present considerable hazards if mishandled.

4.6.4 Equipment Required to Unload the Mould

For small parts or those that do not require secondaryoperations, conveyors or vacuum evacuation systemscan be used. For other parts, robots are required. A pressparts-handling robot with quick changeover capabilitylinks post-mould to pre-mould processes. The robotrequired at this point of integration must be highlyflexible, have computer communications, be capableof automatic programme changes, be capable of automatic tooling changes and have provisions to start,stop and pause automatically. Verification that the

correct end-of-arm tooling and robot sequencecorresponding to the current press set up are in use issometimes desirable to avoid errors.

4.6.5 Flexible Value-Added Systems

Flexible value-added systems that perform multiplesecondary operations or parts after extraction are themost elusive components to design.

Some manufacturers limit a cell’s value-added stepsbeside the moulding machine and then use automatedmaterial-handling devices to move production out of




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the cell. Value-added operations that are difficult toautomate or cannot be done within the moulding cycleare performed manually away from moulding. Linesfed automatically by conveyors or automated guidedvehicles (AGV) accomplish this. If the parts are placedinto standard containers and their position is

maintained, then value-added operations can beautomated in the future.

The difficulty in flexible value-added automation istrying to transport parts economically throughoperations, keeping their orientation and beingadaptable across a wide variety of different geometries.The most economical way to move parts through value-added operations is to use the part removal robot withmultipurpose or changeable end-of-arm tooling. Asecondary flexible robot can also be used to take parts

from the press robot and move them through operations.Beyond robots, several other devices are available butthese are less flexible or adaptable to transport partsthrough operations. Parts can be transported tosubsequent operations by means of conveyors, placedonto pallets, placed into trays or bins or placed ontorotary or linear indexers.

4.6.6 Parts Transport Systems

Conveyors can move the parts to a central location.

They can be inexpensive for some factory layouts.Conveyors can be belts, plastic-link chains oroverhead chain-driven systems. As a result of partslosing orientation in most applications, operators willbe required on the end of the system to reorient,inspect, add value and package parts. Similar partsmay be mishandled and placed into incorrectcontainers. The system does not lend itself well tofuture automation if parts are out of orientation oroverlapping. Parts liable to damage during transportdo not lend themselves to this type of automation.An exception to this would be the placing of partsonto fixtured pallets, transported on conveyors.Sensors to detect parts passing underneath otherrobots need to be installed to prevent parts frombeing placed on top of others and to avoid possiblerobot crashes. If robots can package beside eachmachine, then the conveyors can be used to transportcontainers in and out of the cells. Conveyors requirea lot of floor space and inhibit access to the mouldingcells unless they can be put overhead, in which casethey are difficult to service and clean, and parts maynot be easy to see. Conveyors to a central location

are best used for similar parts, large parts or easilydistinguishable parts that will not require or cannot justify the costs of added-value operations.

For small parts, some plants have used air conveyorsystems where the parts are transported in an air streamto a packaging room or machine. Parts are ejected intoa hopper that directs them into a tube and air stream.An air-vacuum transport system, hooked up to thehoppers under the machines, conveys the parts to boxes

located in another area of the facility. The vacuumtransport system must be sized to transport the largestexpected part size. A maximum part size of 30 mm iscommon. Parts must be those that can transport throughtubes without getting marked or damaged. Parts mustalso be able to be moved without tangling or causingblockages in the tubes. The system requires modestfloor space and labour.

Several automated plant concepts have evolved aroundcontainer filling cells (Figure 9). The containers can

be trays, bins or boxes with single or multiple layers(72). Large parts sometimes have rack systems that aretransported through the cells. The trays, bins, racks orboxes can be used internally, externally or both. Thebenefit of a container filling beside the press is that itallows unmanned operation and expandability forfuture off-line value-added automation. A benefit of placing parts into containers is that orientation can bemaintained. When automation of value-addedoperations occurs in the future, the system will readilyadapt. Machines exist to handle standard containers inand around the moulding cell. Multilevel shelves or

conveyors can be used to store production. Conveyorsthat destack and restack containers are common as well.The containers must be dimensionally accurate andhave features suitable for automation, such as beingrigid, stackable or collapsible, not easily damaged andeasy to clean. It is common to use inserts in thecontainers for parts requiring precise locations or thatmay be subject to damage in transport.

Once parts are in the containers, they can be removedat intervals by operators, conveyors, or loaded andunloaded by AGVs. The AGVs are self-propelled carts.

The drive is usually accomplished with electric motors.Electric-driven vehicles will require a rechargingstation for periodical charging during operation. Thevehicles are sized based on the maximum payload andsize of load to be accommodated. The top of the vehicleis usually designed to automatically load or unload thetype of container to be used in the particular facility.The vendor base for AGVs has been very volatilebecause of the large amount of research anddevelopment required and the varying marketconditions. Many factories have not advanced theirautomation to the point where an automatic vehicle cantake over; they also have not automated upstream ordo not have an automated warehousing linkage.




19

AGV systems are expensive, but very flexible. They can

often be justified in one to two years in the rightapplication where the factory is reasonably organised.Indirect labour is saved along with reduced part damagethat may occur with manual systems (87). Unlike fixedconveyors, they can be reprogrammed and reconfiguredfor a wide variety of transport tasks. The systems makethe transition to automated storage and retrieval systemsseamlessly as all of the infrastructure and standards areput into place. Phase III or IV systems need carefulcoordination of containers and supplies to and from thecells and are inhibited by manual transport methods (72).Guidance systems are usually chemical paths paintedonto the floor, taped paths, or grid systems in which thevehicles navigate freely between points. Systems whichuse lasers for positioning are also in development. AGVsgive full access to the cells when not docked or whenmoving by them. AGVs are usually not installed until areasonable amount of cells are running efficiently. Beforethis point, manual or semi-manual methods are used.

4.6.7 Automated Stockyards and Automated

Storage and Retrieval Systems

Whether work in process or finished goods aretransported manually, by conveyors or by AGVs,

automatic storage and retrieval systems can be

employed. The simplest form consists of rollerconveyors, to which containers are off-loaded. Aseparate conveyor line is usually associated with onepart or moulding machine. Simple roller-conveyorsystems are frequently employed to store enough partsfor unattended shifts or weekend operation. Systemsthen increase in complexity enabling loading andunloading as well as computer tracking of containers.The most sophisticated systems are multilevel systemsthat use linear robots to pick and store containers andlater repick and deliver them to an outlet position whenrequired. These storage systems are mostly used whereland is at a premium or the cost to add floor space ismore than the storage system.

4.6.8 Logistics and Coordination

A very high degree of logistics and coordination isrequired for Phase IV implementation. Onlycomputers can keep up with the demands. If notproperly thought out, the personnel required tocoordinate the factory and run it efficiently in a small-

lot, quick-change environment will offset savings inother areas. It is critical to use local area networkarchitecture and ensure all major components in cells

Figure 9

Automated container filling




20

are equipped to integrate to it. However, in case of asystem failure, production cells should be designedso as to be able to run without the computer network.It is common to have a local computer in each cellthat interfaces each machine within the cell to thecomputer network. Minimally, the system must

coordinate set up data for all of the cell equipmentwhen a new mould is run and verify that control pointsare met to begin production.

The central computer hooked up to the network willschedule production resources, handle changeovers,track and display status, gather quality information,perform quality analysis, display errors and schedulepreventative maintenance. The central computerdevelops schedules and sends them to each individualcell computer for execution (258). Status and error

display must be designed to get quick notification andreaction to problems. Often these systems are linkedto audible or visual alarm systems within the plant orto remote locations for off-hours.

4.7 Design Criteria for Higher Levels of

Automation

When implementing cells and FMS, system design iscritical. The following is a list of common design

considerations:

• The cell should have the ability to shut downautomatically if the run is complete or if there istrouble and no one responds. The cell must shutdown in an orderly way leaving all elements in asafe and known position. The status of the machinesshould be kept so the cell can be analysed andrestarted quickly. Irregular production may needto be isolated. Heating elements may need to bereset at a lower setting.

• Machines within a cell should be capable of uncoupled operation inside or outside of the cellin case of trouble. Thought must be given to howoperations can be performed manually if theautomation fails. Cell design may need to leaveroom for operators and for any movementsnecessary to allow manual intervention or havedecoupling abilities. Integrated machines mayrequire an automatic and manual control interface.Guarding that can be easily configured for manualoperation should be considered (37).

• Operator input or take away from a cell should notaffect its operation or safety. Feeding of

components into the system should be done withease while the machine is running.

• Buffers should be placed in front of operationsrequiring manual adjustment, cleaning or supplyreplenishment. According to a recent article, asmuch as 70% of cell downtime is operator induced(125). The buffer should be long enough to allowfor operator arrival and completion of the task.Some machines that are difficult to start up maybe required to keep in cycle and dischargeproduction for a short time while the cell isattended. The length of time the machine dischargesproduction should be limited so that excessive scrapmaterial costs are avoided. Cell design may requiremanual reintroduction of parts produced while amachine was down or from surplus capacity. It may

be required to take parts off line and reintroducethem downstream if a component fails. The rate of the downstream operations may need to be fasterthan the process to allow reintroduction of production while still on line.

• It is good practice to perform quality control foreach step immediately after or during the operationand to isolate bad parts once detected. It may bedifficult to track bad parts in a machine, and so thevalue added to them is wasted. The system shouldbe programmed to stop if a preset frequency of errors occurs at a station rather than stopping ateach error. Cells may need quality control of incoming material and process adaptation if thereis a likelihood that defects could occur, would behard to detect, or would cause interruption of thecell. Critical operations within a cell should allowfor quality control sampling without cellinterruption. The sampling can be programmed atintervals or triggered by an operator.

• Critical components can be serialised and the data

stored for traceability. This is common forcomponents where product liability may be aconcern.

• Consideration has to be given to productionbalancing, from multiple machines or for machineswhere cavities will be shut off. The part removalrobot or other devices can perform this function if equipped and programmed properly.

• One of the most important design considerations

is to specify flexible components to be adaptablefor families of related applications. Componentsshould be as modular as possible, to allow them to




22

when there are no personnel on duty, the central computercalls a manager at home who can respond. Servo robots,on top of the moulding machines, fill trays with parts.Trays are automatically destacked, filled and restackedon a press-side, parts storage machine. When a stack iscompletely full, an AGV retrieves the stack and deliversa stack of empty trays. The AGV transports the trays toan elevator that brings the vehicle to the second floor.The AGV then delivers the stack to a roller conveyorstockyard. When the production in the trays is beingshipped or processed by operators for secondaryoperation such as assembly, quality control measurementor testing, an operator retrieves the stacks from thestockyard. The stockyard is sized to hold two to threedays of production for operation over a weekend.

5.4 Product or Contract Specific Cells

Some cells will have been designed for a specificproduct or a moulding contract of three to five years.For moulding contracts, it is important to chooseequipment that becomes adaptable after the contractterm. This avoids large depreciation costs during theproject and large retooling costs after the project.

A well thought out production cell in Germany illustratedthe maximum utilisation of a system. The goals of the

system were to provide maximum up time, toaccommodate short runs, eliminate work in progress,and to give maximum value-added operations by tryingto get the robot to work the entire moulding cycle (200).A servo-drive, traverse-type robot removes parts, checksdimensions, cuts off a sprue and loads the part onto arotary table. On the rotary table, the part is milled, hotstamped and presented again to the robot. The finishedpart is stacked into a magazine for storage. Beforestarting the next cycle, the robot picks up a bearing,checks its dimensions and inserts it into the mould. Thecell was designed so parts can be removed and fed back

in if a station goes down to keep production going. If manual attendance is required in the cell, the robot keepsrunning and loads parts into a buffer for up to 12 minutes.When the operator exits the work zone, the robot willautomatically begin to feed the cell again. Each stationcan be manually turned off outside the cell, and the othermachine stations will keep running.

5.5 Group Technology

Many cells have been designed around a group of partsrequiring similar operations, e.g., for in-mould decorating,insert moulding, and two-component moulding.

5.5.1 In-Mould Decorating

In-mould decorating has the advantages of theelimination of special downstream decoratingmachines, the elimination of scrap associated with on-line decorating, flexibility of using different labels andproducts, higher quality decorations on the parts andbetter environmental properties with integraldecorations (192). Systems are composed of magazinesfor labels, a label pick-and-place robot or device, anda vacuum or static electricity system to hold the labelin the mould. Typical products using in-moulddecorating are food containers, appliances, cell phonesor any other plastic parts requiring decorations.

5.5.2 Insert Moulding

Insert moulding has several advantages when automated.If inserting is done by an operator, the cycle variesconsiderably, quality cannot be maintained, scrap is highand mould damage occurs from misplaced inserts. Jobsrunning manually require close supervision, operatorrotation to prevent fatigue and strict control to remainprofitable. In view of these problems, many mouldershave realised that automation is the only way to makeparts profitable. Systems that are flexible are expensiveand need to be justified over long periods of time. Theexpense to tool each new job with insert moulding can

be prohibitive if done improperly.

Some manufacturers with long runs will use simplededicated transfer devices for insert loading. However,most manufactures use servo robots due to theirflexibility and accuracy. Servo robots can pick up insertsfrom manually fed shuttles, vibration part feeders orother magazines (Figure 10). Inserts are sometimesloaded into a mould fixture outside of the press, and thefixture is picked up by the robot and placed into themould. Sometimes inserts are handled on strips of tapeto simplify loading of delicate pieces or multiple inserts.

When strips are used, operators or a press can removethe parts from the strips after moulding. For high-volumesystems, inserts can be fed from a reel on the mould.The finished parts can be rolled up on another reel ordischarged in strips (297).

Common applications of insert moulding are threadedinserts for part assembly and moulded gaskets.

5.5.3 Two-Component Moulding

Two-component moulding is very popular. A commonconfiguration is to mould the first component in one




23

Figure 10

Insert moulding operation

machine and unload it with a robot. The first robothands off to a second robot, which loads (as well asunloads) the second machine. Another configurationuses a robot to move parts from the first mould on atwo-injection unit machine to the second mould andto remove the finished part. Rotary platens used tomove moulds between the injection units on two-colour machines index to allow moulding of thesecond component. Then a robot unloads the finishedparts. Typical applications are soft-touch materials orlenses (73).

5.6 Quality Control Automation

Quality control operations are becoming one area of rapid advancement. The requirement for manualinspection holds many moulders back from automating.

Article (143) details the automation of quality controlmeasurement, recording, and traceability. The articleexplains the necessity of automated quality control forthe automotive industry, particularly with critical safetycomponents such as airbags. Airbag components are

automatically removed and fed to coded pallets. Thepallet identification is used to track the good and badparts for separation at the end of the system. Parts are

then degated, hot stamped, serial data applied on thepart, and a serialised bar code label is applied to theoutside. Bar codes are checked for readability. Partweights are taken and defects identified. All productiondata is stored for each assembly. Bad parts throughoutthe process are identified and separated by a robot atthe end of the process.

Vision systems with fibre optics (Figure 11), directlymounted to the robot's end-of-arm tooling (EOAT),have been used successfully. The robot checks the partsor inserts on the EOAT while transferring the partsbetween operations (218). Vision systems are also being

used to identify different parts on a line and to transferthat information to a robot that changes its programbased on the specific part requirements (292).

5.7 Thermoset Cells

Thermoset moulding has, in many cases, lackedautomation implementation. Part-extraction robots areused, but very little other work has been automated.The requirement to deflash parts and moulds, along

with difficulty in automating these operations, meantmanual systems were needed. A manufacturer hasreported that robots in their operation are used to




24

prevent part damage, to demould parts requiringdifficult motions, to prevent tool damage, to degateparts, and to load parts onto jigs for further processingor cooling (295).

5.8 Examples of FMS

A Japanese automotive moulding facility was designedto automate the moulding of grilles, bumpers and

instrument panels. The mould changes, materialchanges, part extraction, part palletising, part transportfrom moulding to storage, and part transport fromstorage to post-process areas all run automatically. Partsare retrieved automatically and fed to an automaticpainting system. The facility has used an automaticcrane system to change moulds. Moulds are deliveredto two-position, mould-change tables located besidethe moulding machines. Moulds are preheated duringthe end of the run of the present mould. When the runis over, the mould in the machine is transported ontothe table. The table then indexes forward on rails andpositions the next mould. The mould is loaded into thepress. An automatic crane retrieves the completed

Figure 11

Vision system

mould after it cools down. Material is selected from astorage silo, sent to a dryer and then to the propermachine. Parts are removed with robots and palletisedonto press-side, conveyor systems. A central computerhooked to cell computers tracks production, sets upequipment and handles scheduling and logistics.Completed parts are automatically transported to amanual, value-adding area (258).

6 Future Developments

Developments are evolving rapidly in the field of automation. The increase in driving forces has changedthe mind-set of many moulders. Implementation of automation and its importance are becoming a majorpriority. The skills to project manage, install and operateautomation will continually evolve as moulders striveto compete. Moulders will be asked to project managethe entire cycle from part design to delivery logistics.

Projects will need to be completed more rapidly.Moulders should partner with suppliers to developrelationships for rapid launches.




25

The rapid advance of computer power will meansmarter and more flexible machinery. The computerpower will be used for rapid changeovers, flexibilityand integration into plant-wide computer networks.Personal computers will become the most commoncontrollers for shop-floor machinery.

Control software will become more adaptive, detectingand correcting problems to keep machinery running.This will be important to increase the implementationof automated systems. These controls will be standardon moulding machines, robots, auxiliaries and othervalue-added machinery.

Servo technology is rapidly advancing. Servos will bethe dominant drive on robots and other machineryrequiring precise control, rapid changeover and

flexibility to adapt to changing conditions. Servos nowaccount for 60% or more of robot drives for plasticsand will continue to advance to levels of 80 to 90% inthe next five years.

The degree of quality, monitoring and documentationwill increase to support traceability and higher levelsof quality production and improvement. Measurement

and confirmation of each part will be important. Onlyautomation can achieve this without driving up the costof production through manual inspection.

Decreasing lot sizes and increasing product variabilitywill drive the requirement for flexible, quick-changeadaptive systems for implementation.

All of the above will influence moulders to implementadditional levels of automation. The trend will escalateover the next five years, and cell manufacturing (PhaseIII) will be common in five years, whereas less then10% of the moulders are at this level now. FMS willbe commonplace in ten years for moulders competingon a world basis.

Additional References

a.1 Evolution of Automation in Plastics InjectionMoulding by Yushin America, Inc.,www.yushin.com.

a.2 Injection Moulding, 1996, 4, 8, 84.




26



References and Abstracts

© Copyright 2001Rapra Technology Limited 27

References from the Rapra Abstracts Database

Item 1

Patent Number: EP 1074490 A1 20010207

CONVEYOR WITH REMOVABLE STRIPS

PARTICULARLY FOR MOLDED ARTICLESCribiu O

Costruzioni Meccaniche Crizaf SpA

A conveyor for conveying articles from a first work station

to a second work station comprises a conveyor belt of the

slat or apron type having a number of plates linked to one

another to form a loop and a number of strips mounted

transversally and removably on at least some of the slats

to retain the articles conveyed by the conveyor belt. The

strips are easily replaceable in the event of breakage or a

change in production. A hopper directs the articles toward

the conveyor belt with fold-down walls to assume the

most compact configuration vertically during movementof the conveyor.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; WESTERN

EUROPE-GENERAL

Accession no.806607

Item 2

Plast’ 21

No.95, Sept.2000, p.57-8

Spanish

CORRECT CHOICE OF COLLABORATORS AS

A GUARANTEE OF SUCCESS

An examination is made of the activities of Plastics del

Terri of Spain and its associated company Maben in

plastics injection moulding using ancillary equipment and

automotion systems supplied by Equiper. Details are given

of types of products manufactured and plastics materials

and quality control procedures used.

PLASTICS DEL TERRI SL; MABEN SL;

MORETTO; EQUIPER SL; CRIZAF SPA;

MARTIPLAST; APEX ROBOT SYSTEMSEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE;

ITALY; SPAIN; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.803949

Item 3

Patent Number: US 6113834 A1 20000905

COOLING DEVICE ATTACHED TO INDEX

MACHINE

Kozai M T; Ing R; Jacovich W J; Domodossola R;

Saggese S

Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.

Disclosed are a device for cooling moulded parts and

for transporting the moulded parts from a receiving

position to a holding/ejecting position. The device is

particular useful with an index moulding machinehaving a rotary turret block with at least two movable

mould halves thereon. The cooling device includes a

cooling station assembly having a number of blowing

tubes for applying a cooling fluid to external surfaces

of moulded parts, a take-off plate having a number of

holders for receiving cooled moulded parts and aconnecting plate connecting the take-off plate and the

cooling station assembly. The connecting plate is

connected to the take-off plate by a pivotable

connection and is connected to the cooling station

assembly by a rigid connection. The connecting plate

is movable along an axis substantially parallel to one

of the faces upon which the moulded parts to be cooled

and removed are positioned. The device also includes

a linkage assembly for causing the take-off plate to

move between a receiving position and a holding/

ejecting position and vice versa. Movement of the take-

off plate causes the connecting means to move alongthe first axis, which in turn causes the cooling station

assembly to move from a non-cooling position to a

cooling position and vice versa.

USA

Accession no.801380

Item 4

Kunststoffe Plast Europe

90, No.9, Sept.2000, p.27-8

English; German

AUTOMATED MANUFACTURE OF MOBILE

PHONESBoehringer C

This article discusses in detail robot handling technology

during the process of injection moulding mobile phones.

Section headings include: market growth requires

automation, and standard solutions are more flexible.

(Translated from Kunststoffe 90, No.9, 2000, p.90-1)

NEUREDER AGEUROPE-GENERAL; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN

UNION; GERMANY; USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.799985

Item 5


90, No.9, Sept.2000, p.25-6

English; German

AUTOMATION AROUND INJECTION

MOULDING MACHINES

Martin W

Higher and higher requirements on injection moulded

products are forcing manufacturers to invest in the areas

of automation and peripherals. This article discusses

injection moulding automation under the headings:

project engineering of complex manufacturing units,centralisation, finding team solutions, special but

flexible solutions, unmanned supply technology, and




28 © Copyright 2001 Rapra Technology Limited

central control of materials supply. (Translated from

Kunststoffe 90, No.9, 2000, p.84/9)

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.799984

Item 6


MOULD CLOSURE UNIT WITH A DEVICE FOR

REMOVING INJECTION MOULDINGS

Hehl K

A mould closing unit is provided with a device for handling

and/or removal of mouldings. It comprises a supporting

element for supporting the device in the area of the mould,

an actuating element, by which the handling element

penetrating into the mould cavity is operable, as well as a

drive unit for driving the actuating element. The drive unit

drives the actuating element electromechanically and at

least the drive unit, supporting element and actuating

element constitute a structural unit, which is detachable

from the mould closing unit. The drive unit is a hollow

shaft motor at least partially receiving the actuating element.


USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.799865

Item 7

Plast’ 21

Nos.93/4, June/July 2000, p.52

SpanishCARBON FIBRE TECHNOLOGY

Details are given of Wittmann’s Series 6 industrial robots,

some of which have vertical arms made of carbon fibre-

reinforced composites, and their use in plastics injection

moulding operations.

WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMSAUSTRIA; EUROPEAN UNION; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.790865

Item 8

Plast’ 21

Nos.93/4, June/July 2000, p.48-9

Spanish

SERPLASA: CONTRASTING QUALITY IN

PACKAGING

An examination is made of the activities of Servicios

Plasticos SA (Serplasa) of Spain in the manufacture of

plastics packaging by extrusion, coextrusion and injection

and blow moulding, and in the extrusion of plastics films

for use in the agricultural sector. Quality control procedures

used by the Company and an automation system installed

in its extrusion department are described. Employment

figures and details of recent investments are presented.

SERPLASA; SERVICIOS PLASTICOS SA;

ALIMATIC SL

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; SPAIN;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.790864

Item 9

Injection Molding

8, No.9, Suppl. Sept.2000, p.46/51AUTOMATION GETS EVEN FASTER, SIMPLER

Injection moulding automation developments are reviewed

with reference to NPE 2000. The speed and simplicity of

the robots was the main trend reported. Technological

developments are reported which will enable moulders to

run lights out operations or to put numerous value-added

operations alongside the press, unattended, and with

optimum quality control. The review focuses on industrial

robots, linear robots, and automation control.

Accession no.790271

Item 10

Plastics and Rubber Weekly

No.1856, 29th Sept.2000, p.17

CONTINUING ARTICULATE SUCCESS

Custom moulder W.H. Smith & Sons has a long track

record in the use of articulated robots and now uses nine

Swiss-built Staubli robots at its plant at Minworth. The

units are used within complex manufacturing cells

carrying out tasks such as insert loading, trimming and

palletising. Smith says the next stage in implementation

of automation within the company is to create flexible

moulding cells which can be switched easily betweendifferent production jobs as demand requires.

SMITH W.H.,& CO.EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.788093

Item 11


No.1856, 29th Sept.2000, p.16

WITTMANN TAILORS ITS OFFER WITH

OTHER MAKERS’ MACHINES

Wittmann announced last year that it was to supply industrialrobots from Toshiba and Kawasaki alongside its Wittmann

beam models. The company sees the move as a natural

response to the increasing demands from the UK plastics

industry for more sophisticated automation solutions. One

of the key developments at the company in recent months

has been its work with the integration of computer-based

vision systems with the robot controller. Wittmann’s

engineers have also succeeded in linking a Leica laser

measuring system to a Kawasaki six-axis industrial robot to

provide an ultra precise positioning system.

WITTMANN UK

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK;WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.788092





Item 12


No.1856, 29th Sept.2000, p.15

POLLAK POSTS HUGE AUTOMATION SAVINGS

Stoneridge Pollak, an automotive moulder and switch

manufacturer, has achieved unit cost savings and cycle

time improvements of 30%. The improvements are the

result of the introduction of a Battenfeld vertical press

and five-axis Toshiba robots supplied and integrated by

Wittmann UK. The new cell’s current production is

moulding a two-piece insert part, a window lift switch

with metal electrical connectors set in glass-filled nylon,

supplied for use in VW and Skoda cars.

STONERIDGE POLLAK EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.788091

Item 13


No.1856, 29th Sept.2000, p.14

PHONES DIAL UP 7M POUNDS STERLING

FOR RTS

Robot Technology Systems has won a 6.6m pounds

sterling order from Rosti to supply automated assembly

and moulding systems to produce mobile phone

components for Ericsson. The integrated turnkey package

includes the automation of 19 injection moulding machine

cells using articulated six-axis robots. The automation

installation at Rosti’s facility in Scotland includes ninemobile phone assembly lines with a capacity to

manufacture up to 12 million phone assemblies a year,

six stand-alone assembly machines and a number of RTS

Vincent automatic palletising units.

ROBOT TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS; ROSTI ASEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.788090

Item 14


No.1856, 29th Sept.2000, p.13AUTOMATIC PROFITS

The most recent robot investment figures for UK industry,

published by the British Automation and Robotics

Association for 1999, showed the number of new robots

being installed in plastics and rubber manufacturing

applications down by almost 18.5% on 1998 to 326 units.

However, this does not seem to be the view of the major

suppliers of automation to the UK plastics industry.

Wittmann claims injection moulding companies have

invested heavily in automation. ATM Automation reports

a big increase in demand for its flexible downstream

automation solutions. Technological developments are bringing down the cost of complex automation, with insert

loading a particularly good example.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.788089

Item 15

Modern Plastics International

30, No.6, June 2000, p.43/7AUTOMATION PRESENTS NEW CHALLENGES

IN MOLD DESIGN

Toensmeier P A

Discussed in this article is the strong influence that process

automation trends have had on injection mould design.

The article then focuses in details on the activities of

mould-maker Fairway Molds Inc. of the USA. The

president of the company says that the level of

sophistication of the moulding capabilities of many of

his customers is such, that the first time some parts come

into contact with humans is when the consumer unwraps

the product!

FAIRWAY MOLDS INC.; YASDA; STACKTECK

SYSTEMS INC.; TRADESCO MOLD LTD.; UNIQUE

MOULD MAKERS LTD.ASIA; CANADA; EUROPE-GENERAL; EUROPEAN

COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE; GERMANY;

NORTH AMERICA; PORTUGAL; SOUTH AMERICA; SPAIN;

USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.787809

Item 16


90, No.7, July 2000, p.26-8English; German

AUTOMATED INJECTION MOULDING AND

WELDING OF BUMPERS

Leiritz O; Gorse H

DAT Automatisierungstechnik GmbH; Dynamit Nobel

Kunststoff GmbH

In fully automated bumper production, a jointed-arm-

robot takes care of all handling tasks. Its wide operating

area and high positional accuracy have made it possible

to integrate into the automation system a welding

operation that was originally separate.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.786911

Item 17


90, No.7, July 2000, p.24-6

English; German

ACCELERATION IS NOT EVERYTHING

Hofmair H

Engel Vertriebs GmbH

The key to the shortest possible handling time lies inimproving the entire system consisting of injection

moulding machine, mould and handling system. To





genuinely accelerate production, the production cell and

the mould must be designed for automation. Judicious

synchronisation of individual movements can reduce the

demoulding time by almost 50%.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.786910

Item 18

European Plastics News

27, No.8, Sept.2000, p.58

FULL AUTOMATION FROM BATTENFELD

Swoboda, a well-known automotive supplier, was seeking

process safety, precision, flexibility and efficiency for

valve control gear casing production at its factory in

southern Germany. Battenfeld Kunststoffmaschinen

planned, designed and installed a fully automatic, easily

adaptable automated production cell that overlaps

processing steps to shorten cycle time and increase output.

Engine compartment casings must be completely

impenetrable. Encapsulating components during

moulding, as opposed to separate moulding and insertion,

assures component process safety. The automated

production system is described.

BATTENFELD KUNSTSTOFFMASCHINEN GMBHAUSTRIA; EUROPEAN UNION; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.785245

Item 19

Macplas International No.9, Aug.2000, p.61-2

PRODUCTION CELL

The automated production of Sharpak containers for use

in the disposal of hospital sharps is described. Rexam

Containers & Closures’ redesign of the Sharpak

production line was intended to reduce the handling,

increase throughput and improve quality standards and

consistency. The dedicated manufacturing cell comprises

8 Sandretto injection moulding machines of 270 and 550

tons clamping force, together with over 300,000 pounds

sterling of automation equipment. A conveyor is

positioned alongside every moulding machine which areserviced by seven all-electric, three-axis de-mould robots.

REXAM CONTAINERS & CLOSURESEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.784625

Item 20

Plast’ 21

Nos.88/9, Jan./Feb.2000, p.50-2

Spanish

ROBOTS INVADE THE PLASTICS SECTOR

A survey is made of industrial robots and manipulators

manufactured by a number of companies for use in plastics

injection moulding operations. Statistics are presented for

numbers of robots operating in Spain in 1998.

AER-ATP; CAMPETELLA ROBOTIC CENTER;

CENTROTECNICA SA; APEX ROBOT SYSTEMS;

EQUIPER SL; IROBI; MTP SL; PIOVAN + STAR

AUTOMATION; LUISO SL; TECNOMATIC SPA;

CAUFAR SL; REIS ROBOTICS; WITTMANNROBOT SYSTEMS; STAUBLI; STAUBLI ESPANOLA

SA; SEPRO ROBOTIQUE; SEPRO ROBOTICAAUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;

FRANCE; GERMANY; ITALY; SPAIN; WESTERN EUROPE;

WORLD

Accession no.783032

Item 21

Molding Systems

58, No.3, June 2000, p.26-32

AGREE TO AUTOMATE

Mallon J MYushin America Inc.

In an era of rapidly accelerating competitive forces, most

moulders agree automation is key to maximizing

production savings. However, most users run into trouble

from the outset, often because short-term management

procurement decisions do not allow for flexibility and

cost savings over the long haul. For automation success,

management must take the lead in organising, planning

and executing a long-range strategy. This article provides

twelve tips for project success.

USA

Accession no.782589

Item 22

Plast’ 21

Nos.88/9, Jan./Feb.2000, p.40-1

Spanish

SOLUTIONS FOR THE AUTOMATION OF

INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES

Details are given of the range of industrial robots

developed by Dal Maschio for the automation of plastics

injection moulding operations.

DAL MASCHIO; PLASVIR EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; ITALY;

SPAIN; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.780289

Item 23


METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UNLOADING

PLASTIC MATERIAL PRODUCTS FROM A

PLASTIC MATERIAL INJECTION MOULDING

MACHINE

Herbst R

The method comprises the steps of unmoulding the products from a mould of the injection moulding machine

and then cooling the products on two product surfaces by





contact with two corresponding cooling surfaces of a

cooling apparatus. The apparatus is provided with

corresponding unmoulding devices and cooling plates.


USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.777512

Item 24

Materie Plastiche ed Elastomeri

64, Nos.11/12, Nov./Dec.1999, p.718/34

Italian

AUTOMATION BECOMES INTEGRATED

Baucia G

An examination is made of applications of industrial

robots in the automation of plastics processing and

finishing operations, including injection, insert and blow

moulding, thermoforming, painting, metallising and flash

removal. Robots and robotised production cells developed

by a number of companies are described.

BATTENFELD AUTOMATISIERUNGSTECHNIK

GMBH; CAMPETELLA ROBOTIC CENTER;

COLOMBO RENATO ROBOTICA; KUKA

ROBOTER GMBH; ENGEL

AUTOMATISIERUNGSTECHNIK GMBH; PIOVAN

+ STAR AUTOMATION; CO.MA.SPE.; DAL

MASCHIO; EUROSERVICE; COMAU SPA;

STAUBLI; TECNOMATIC SPA; TIESSE ROBOT;

VMP+ASITECH AUTOMAZIONEAUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;

GERMANY; ITALY; SWITZERLAND; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.776785

Item 25

British Plastics and Rubber

April 2000, p.17

PUSHING DOWN THE PRICE OF ROBOTIC

REMOVAL

New models of handling robots are helping decrease the

price of robotic removal. Descriptions are given of the

range of robots from BPI Machines and Hi-Tech

Automation. The BPI series includes sprue pickers and

beam robots, pneumatic and full CNC models, and highspeed side entry machines. The machines are

manufactured by Alfa Auto Machinery of Taiwan, which

claims to be the biggest supplier of beam robots in the

Far East outside Japan, and is now expanding sales to the

USA and Europe. In the UK, the major selling point for

the machines is the price, with a swing-arm Phoenix sprue

picker costing 1,900 pounds sterling complete with plinths

and vacuum head. The new machine from Hi-Tech

Automation is a pneumatic pick and place robot built by

Index Automatic Technology. Called the HT600, it has a

conventional three-axis design which sells for 4,500

pound, sterling plus VAT.

BPI MACHINES; HI-TECH AUTOMATION; ALFA

AUTO MACHINERY

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; TAIWAN; UK;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.771104

Item 26


No.1829, 24th March 2000, p.10PROVING THE VALUE OF AUTOMATION

Since 1994, UK-based LEC Refrigeration has been

upgrading its injection moulding manufacturing systems

- including investing in a state-of-the-art automated

refrigerator manufacturing facility. This article takes a

look at this, and other recent investments.

LEC REFRIGERATION; SIME DARBY; NISSEI;

NEGRI BOSSI; DAL MASCHIO; ITALMACHINERYEUROPE-GENERAL; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN

UNION; JAPAN; MALAYSIA; UK; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.771057

Item 27


89, No.12, Dec.1999, p.22-3

English; German

PUNCHING, BENDING, INSERTING AND

SHEATHING

Deusch H

Ecotech Automations- & Verfahrenstechnik GmbH

Plug-in connectors for electronics are required in vast

quantities. Economic production is only rendered feasible

through extensively automating the production stages.Automation of peripheral equipment provides for high

productivity and continuous quality assurance in the

injection moulding of plugs with over 100 pins. (German

version of this paper, which includes illustrations, is on

p.68-70.)


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.764388

Item 28

Plastics Technology

45, No.11, Nov.1999, p.56/65SMALL IS BIG

Knights M

This article supplies a comprehensive review of the latest

trends in auxiliary equipment, together with the

advantages and features of the latest equipment currently

on offer from major US manufacturers such as Conair,

AEC, and Colortronic. Ancillary equipment is getting

smaller to keep pace with the growing market for small

precision parts. This article highlights the latest dryers,

loaders, blenders, grinders and chillers which have all

dropped in size for accuracy and fast product changeovers.

CONAIR; AEC; COLORTRONIC INC.; MAGUIRE

INDUSTRIES INC.; DRI-AIR INDUSTRIES INC.





USA

Accession no.763844

Item 29

Injection Molding

8, No.2, Feb.2000, p.99

JEWEL BOX AUTOMATION FOR SPEED

Tri-Tec Industries relies on automation for fast, efficient

production of CD jewel boxes. The company recently

installed six cells of integrated product handling,

assembling and stacking automation from Gima Advanced

Technology. Tri-Tec moulds its jewel boxes on 300-ton

presses, mostly custom-built Engels, running 4+4 stack

moulds. Virtually everything in the Tri-Tec plant,

including automation and moulding machines, is

customised.

GIMA ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INC.; TRI-TEC

INDUSTRIES LTD. NORTH AMERICA

Accession no.761533

Item 30

Plastics Technology

45, No.12, Dec.1999, p.48-52

MOLDERS’ GUIDE TO DO-IT-YOURSELF

ROBOT TOOLING

Edited by: Naitove M H

The design of do-it-yourself end-of-arm tooling (EOAT)

for injection moulding robot applications is discussed.

Information needed for the successful design isconsidered, and includes robot data, moulding machine

data, mould data, part data, moulding cycle time, and plant

data. Other factors affecting part removal and thus

influencing equipment selection and EOAT engineering

are examined, and include grip selection.

USA

Accession no.760288

Item 31

Italian Technology

No.3, Oct.1999, p.190QUICK MOULD CHANGE

Quad-Press magnetic modules are the standard for

numerous machine manufacturers and are already

employed by a large numbers of advanced end-users who

have finally solved the problem of locking moulds, of

any shape and size, on injection presses of any type and

dimension. The ‘quadsystem’ patent developed by

Tecnomagnete has made it possible to design a permanent

electromagnetic circuit with square polarity capable of

generating a great force of attraction, constant in time,

with small space requirements. The system ensures fully

operating safety because it requires no electric power during the working phase and therefore is unaffected by

any power failures. Details are given.

TECNOMAGNETE SPAEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; ITALY;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.753295

Item 32

Plastiques Flash No.312, June/July 1999, p.88-90

French

DRIVES: BRUSHLESS, ASYNCHRONOUS AND

EVEN LINEAR

Industrial robots produced by Sytrama of Italy for use in

plastics injection moulding are examined, and

developments in robots with linear electric drive motors

are described. Turnover and employment figures are

presented for the Company.

SYTRAMA SRL; DEMETER PLASTIQUES;

STERLING CORP.; NETSTAL AG; BMB SPA; BM-

BIRAGHI SPA; OIMA SPAEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE;

ITALY; SWITZERLAND; USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.752747

Item 33

Plastiques Flash

No.312, June/July 1999, p.84-6

French

CONQUERING INJECTION MOULDING

ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT

A survey is made of developments by Wittmann inancillary equipment for use in plastics injection moulding,

including industrial robots, dryers and temperature control

systems. Turnover and employment figures are presented

for the Group.

WITTMANN KUNSTSTOFFGERAETE GMBH;

WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMS; CRAMER-

TROCHNERBAU; WITTMANN-KUEFFNER;

KUEFFNER TECHNOLOGIE; COLORTRONIC

ROBOT SYSTEMS; MHT; KRAUSS-MAFFEI AG;

ALBORAAUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;

FRANCE; GERMANY; WESTERN EUROPE; WORLD

Accession no.752746

Item 34

Plast’ 21

No.81, May 1999, p.50-1

Spanish

LATEST PLASTICS PROCESSING

TECHNOLOGIES

A review is presented of plastics processing machinery

and ancillary equipment supplied by Cerlosan of Spain,

including injection moulding machines (Demag

Ergotech), industrial robots (Wittmann), hot runner systems (Fast Heat), temperature control equipment

(Multiheat) and cooling systems (Equifab).





CERLOSAN SL; DEMAG ERGOTECH;

MULTIHEAT SL; WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMS;

FAST HEAT INC.; EQUIFAB SLAUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;

GERMANY; SPAIN; USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.752716

Item 35


ROBOTIC REMOVAL FROM MOULD OF

INJECTION MOULDED PRODUCTS

Brown P P; Sorensen J O

Universal Ventures

The mould cavity and core part are separated in a generally

horizontal direction, the product being retained in the

cavity upon separation of the cavity from the core part. A

robotic arm, which includes a product receiver, removes

the retained product from the cavity by means of the

product receiver upon separation of the cavity from thecore part. The product receiver is adapted for attracting

an interior portion of the product onto the receiver.

CAYMAN ISLANDS

Accession no.750646

Item 36

Plast’ 21

No.80, April 1999, p.61-2

Spanish

INJECTION MOULDING: MOULDING THE

FUTURE

Technical developments in processes, machinery, control

equipment and automation systems for plastics injection

moulding are reviewed.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.745803

Item 37


26, No.8, Sept.1999, p.34

AUTOMATION FOR THE ASTRA

Vink D

Automotive mouldings account for 98% of the parts

produced by Victor Reinz Thermoplast in Idstein,

Germany. The most highly automated part of the plant is

a manufacturing cell dedicated to the Opel Astra C-pillar

trim. It is based on two Engel 800 tonne ES 4550 Duo

injection moulding machines. Engel also supplied the

entire handling system which features four ERC series

robots, two models for part removal and two units for

assembly operations. The 20% talc-filled PP parts are

moulded in two-cavity tools.

VICTOR REINZ THERMOPLASTEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.745253

Item 38


26, No.8, Sept.1999, p.33

ARTICULATE ARGUMENTS

Vink D

MHZ Hachtel is exploiting the flexibility of a multi-axis

articulated robot in the production of high-volume curtain

rail fittings at its Niederstetten factory. Curtain rails are

produced by extruding PVC over a wooden core, while

corner fittings are made on some of the 20 injection

moulding machines. MHZ has introduced an RV16

articulated robot from Reis alongside a Demag D325 NC

450 injection moulding machine. The robot removes parts

from the four-cavity mould and positions them for

mechanical assembly of the top and bottom parts. The

same robot transfers the assembled parts to a channel

system for packing.

MHZ HACHTELEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.745252

Item 39

Plastiques Modernes et Elastomeres

51, No.2, March 1999, p.24-7

French

ROBOTS AND PLASTICS PROCESSING IN

PERFECT HARMONY

Guilhem J

Industrial robots and manipulators produced by a number of companies for use in plastics injection moulding are

reviewed.

ATM AUTOMATION LTD.; PILOT INDUSTRIES;

PIOVAN + STAR AUTOMATION; VARMIPIC;

KRYPTON ELECTRONIC; MASSA M.,SPA; SEPRO

ROBOTIQUE; CHAVERIAT SA; REIS ROBOTICS;

BATTENFELD GMBH; ABB ROBOTICS; ABB

FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION; STAUBLI; TROAX;

SYTRAMA SRL; TCP; MATRELECEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE;

GERMANY; ITALY; SCANDINAVIA; SPAIN; SWEDEN; UK;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.740636

Item 40

Patent Number: US 5804224 A 19980908

DRIVING APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY-

OPERATED INJECTION MOULDING MACHINE

Inaba Y; Ishikawa Y; Ito S; Nishimura K

Fanuc Ltd.

An electric motor having a rotor shaft on which a ball

screw is integrally formed is mounted on one of a cross-

head and a rear platen of a clamping mechanism, while a

ball nut threadedly engaged with the rotor shaft is fixed to the other of the cross-head and the rear platen to

constitute driving apparatus for linearly moving the cross-





head. As the ball screw is integrally formed on rotor shaft,

any connector for connecting these two members is

unnecessary. As the ball screw is directly rotated by the

motor positioned coaxially with the ball screw, any

bearing for bearing a radial force acts on the ball screw

and rotor shaft. The apparatus may also be applied to an

ejection mechanism, an injection mechanism and a nozzletouch mechanism of the electrically-operated injection

moulding machine.

JAPAN

Accession no.740166

Item 41


89, No.5, 1999, p.11.

AUTOMATED INJECTION MOULDING

Hoffmann F; Lind M

Reis Robotics; Flexible Automation

An example is described of the use of automation in the

automotive industry where different materials including

plastics are used. Scherer & Trier is a supplier of body

side mouldings and interior panels, and its use of

articulating-arm robots is described, together with details

of the production of ready-to-install automotive body side

mouldings in a robotic cell. This latter comprises an

injection moulding machine, one linear and two

articulating-arm robots, as well as an assembly station

for the fasteners. (Translated from Kunststoffe 89 (1999)

5, pp.54-6

SCHERER & TRIER EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.739922

Item 42

Injection Molding

7, No.5, Suppl., May 1999, p.26-7

ROBOTS FOR PRESS-SIDE HANDLING

Witzler S

This article presents the purchasing basics to be

considered when investing in robots for injection

moulding press-side handling. It looks at: part quality, productivity, labour utilisation, worker safety, profitability

improvements, the part and the mould, the machine,

programming, cycle time, robot payloads, rules of thumb,

and selecting a robot drive based on application.

USA

Accession no.737679

Item 43

Plast’ 21

Nos.77/8, Jan./Feb.1999, p.38-9

Spanish

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY IN INJECTIONMOULDING

An examination is made of the use of Sepro industrial

robots by Panasonic for the automation of injection

moulding operations in its plant in Girona, Spain, for the

manufacture of plastics vacuum cleaner components.

PANASONIC; SEPRO ROBOTIQUE; SEPRO

ROBOTICA

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE;SPAIN; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.736313

Item 44

Plast’ 21

Nos.77/8, Jan./Feb.1999, p.34-6

Spanish

MODEST GROWTH IN THE WORLD ROBOTS

MARKET

Trends in the world market for industrial robots are

examined, and a survey is made of robots and manipulators

manufactured by a number of companies for use in plastics

injection moulding.

INTERNATIONAL ROBOTICS FEDERATION;

ROEGELE H.,SA; ENGEL

AUTOMATISIERUNGSTECHNIK GMBH; ENGEL;

LUISO SL; PIOVAN + STAR AUTOMATION;

WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMS; WITTMANN

ROBOT SYSTEM SL; CENTROTECNICA; DR.BOY

GMBH; REIS ROBOTICS; REIS ROBOTICS

ESPANA SL; SEPRO ROBOTIQUE; SEPRO

ROBOTICAAUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;

FRANCE; GERMANY; ITALY; SPAIN; WESTERN EUROPE;WORLD

Accession no.736312

Item 45

Plastverarbeiter

48, No.5 May 1997, p.52-3

German

EXACT RATES OF SUPPLY

In injection moulding plants the use of weighing scales

for pallets is a new approach to measuring products to be

dispatched. As a specialist for complex thermoplastic

injection moulded parts such as electrical components,car and washing machine shock absorbers and very

complex parts for toys, the firm of Marcus Birner

Kunststofftechnik from Thueringen is numbered amongst

the innovative businesses in plastics processing emerging

in the unified Germany. The business is expanding and

also increasing with it are demands on the management

of quality. For the goods dispatching procedures this firm

has installed a weighing system by Mettler Toledo, whose

core operation includes weighing scales for pallets.

MARCUS BIRNER KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK;

METTLER TOLEDO

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.734572





automation of plastics injection moulding. Turnover

figures are presented for Enerpac and its parent company,

Applied Power.

ENERPAC AUTOMATION SYSTEMS; APPLIED

POWER INC.; NORMAND R.; MONTANA; ENGELAUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;

FRANCE; NETHERLANDS; USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.726282

Item 53

Plastiques Flash

No.309, Sept.1998, p.82-5

French

AUTOMATION AS A DRIVING FORCE FOR

INNOVATION

The range of industrial robots and manipulators

manufactured by Engel Automatisierungstechnik for use

in plastics injection moulding is examined. Details are

given of a new plant opened at Dietach, Austria, which

will double the Company’s production capacity, and

turnover and employment figures are presented.

ENGEL AUTOMATISIERUNGSTECHNIK GMBH;

ENGELAUSTRIA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.726281

Item 54

Plast’ 21

No.74, Sept.1998, p.49-52

SpanishCOST SAVING IN DRYING AND FEEDING

PROCESSES

Roch H

Motan GmbH

Techniques for reducing production costs and improving

product quality in plastics injection moulding through

automation and production organisation in the drying,

feeding, colouring and recycling processes are discussed.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.726272

Item 55

Plast’ 21

No.74, Sept.1998, p.36-7

Spanish

ENGEL PRESENTS SOLUTIONS FOR

INJECTION MOULDING

Developments by Engel in machinery, industrial robots

and computerised quality control systems for injection

moulding are reviewed.

ENGEL; ROEGELE H.,SA; CAPP-PLAST SRL

AUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;ITALY; SPAIN; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.726270

Item 56

Molding Systems

57, No.4, April 1999, p.48-9

ROBOT IMPROVES WORKER SAFETY,

PRODUCTIVITY

Consolidated Metco recently began injection moulding a

truck headliner using polycarbonate. The company found

it could not eject the large, thin-walled cosmetic part

without sacrificing surface quality and dimensional

integrity. An operator had to crawl between the platens

of the 1950-ton press and manually remove the part. Con-

Met decided to automate the ejection process and installed

a servo-drive traverse robot. Besides improving operator

safety, the robot also helped trim about 25 sec from the

previous 180-sec moulding cycle.

CONSOLIDATED METCO INC.USA

Accession no.726033

Item 57

Injection Molding

7, No.3, March 1999, p.100/4

USING CAD TO OPTIMIZE MOLDING FLOOR

LAYOUT

Neilley R

The use of computer aided design systems for the planning

of a factory layout is discussed with reference to the

experiences of Brightwell Dispensers. The company’s in-

house injection moulding facility had outgrown is present

plant, and a new facility was chosen for Ferryfield Moldings near to Brightwell’s main plant. Due to

pressures of time, the company turned to Sandretto and

its newly developed computer-based factory planning

system. Details are given of the new layout and the

considerations made to ensure its successful operation.

SANDRETTO (UK) LTD.; BRIGHTWELL

DISPENSERS; FERRYFIELD MOLDINGSEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.723175

Item 58 Plast’ 21

Nos.72/3, June/July 1998, p.70-1

Spanish

SAFETY AND PROTECTION IN

MANIPULATION TECHNIQUES

Wittmann W

Wittmann Kunststoffgeraete GmbH

Safety measures applicable to manipulators and industrial

robots in the plastics injection moulding industry are

discussed. West European and US legislation relating to

accident prevention is reviewed.

AUSTRIA; USA; WESTERN EUROPE; WESTERN EUROPE-GENERAL

Accession no.721730





Item 59


REPOSITIONING OF ARTICLES BETWEEN

DIFFERENT POSITIONS WITHIN AN

INTERMITTENTLY ACCESSIBLE SPACE

Sorensen J O; Brown P P

Universal Ventures

Methods are described for repositioning articles, such as

components of an injection moulded multicomponent

product, within a space, such as the space between mould

parts that is accessible for repositioning only during a series

of periods, such as open-mould periods, that are separated

by intervals of less accessibility for repositioning, such as

closed mould intervals. The articles may be moved with a

robot arm. For injection moulding with a stack mould, an

article is repositioned from a first mould cavity in a first

space in a first portion of the stack mould to a second mould

cavity position in a second space in a second portion of the

stack mould by moving the article from a first position tooutside of the first and second spaces during a period when

the first space is accessible and the second space is

inaccessible and moving the article from outside of the

spaces to a second position when the second space is

accessible and the first space is inaccessible.

CAYMAN ISLANDS

Accession no.721596

Item 60

Kunststoffberater

39, No.9, Sept.1994, p.17-20

GermanFLEXIBLE SERVO DRIVE TECHNOLOGY

Tschopp J

Hauser Elektronik GmbH

The high-speed handling robot from the Josef Neureder

firm SERVAX-M features dynamic and exact positioning.

It can be used for feed and removal functions in injection

moulding, where short cycle times, reliability and high

degree of reproducibility.

JOSEF NEUREDER GMBHEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.721524

Item 61

Molding Systems

57, No.2, Feb.1999, p.16-21

ROBOTS SWING INTO ACTION

Tolinski M

One way to maintain manufacturing in the US is to increase

the productivity of the existing labour force. Robotics is one

potential solution to make productivity gains in the injection

moulding industry. A review of robots available for each

different level of moulding automation is presented.USA

Accession no.721099

Item 62

Macplas International

Nov. 1998, p.46-8

HANDLING EQUIPMENT FOR AUTOMATED

MOULDING

The application of robots and handling devices to injection

moulding machines is discussed with particular reference

to differences in attitude towards automated handling

equipment between European and Japanese and US

moulders. The European moulders are reported to consider

the robot not as an ancillary device for the press, but as

dedicated equipment designed especially for a particular

part, and not for the whole production during the press

life. This trend, however, is claimed to be reversing, and

details are given of Italian moulders using automated

handling equipment.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; ITALY;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.720546

Item 63

Plastverarbeiter

48, No.1, Jan.1997, p.51

German

WITHDRAW PARTS OF A MOULD MORE

QUICKLY

Husky Injection Moulding Systems have developed an

additional function called Absolute Part Tracking as a new

option for robots in the Moduline Series operating from

above, which is examined and reviewed here in detailwith diagrams. This means that the robot follows the

movement of the closing unit and can begin retracting

the moulded article even before the mould has completely

opened. That means the time cycle can be reduced by up

to ten percent.

HUSKY INJECTION MOULDING SYSTEMSEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;

LUXEMBOURG; WESTERN EUROPE; WORLD

Accession no.718622

Item 64

Kunststoff Journal 29, No.1, Feb.1995, p.18-19

German

QUICK TO GRASP

A market survey is presented of handling equipment

(mainly from Germany) for insertion of materials and

removal of mouldings from injection moulding machines.

The tendency towards modular additions of automatic

handling devices to injection moulding machines is noted.

Articles from this journal can be requested for translation

by subscribers to the Rapra produced International

Polymer Science and Technology.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.717070





Item 65

Plast’ 21

No.70, April 1998, p.47/55

Spanish

MANIPULATORS AND ROBOTS

Applications of industrial robots and manipulators in

plastics injection moulding are examined, and

developments by a number of robot and injection

moulding machine manufacturers are reviewed.

GETECHA; DIAPAM INDUSTRIAL SA; SEPRO

ROBOTICA; WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMS;

SEPRO ROBOTIQUE; HUSKY INJECTION

MOULDING SYSTEMS LTD.; MANNESMANN

DEMAG KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK; PIOVAN + STAR

AUTOMATION; IROBI; MTP SLAUSTRIA; CANADA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN

UNION; FRANCE; GERMANY; ITALY; SPAIN; WESTERN

EUROPE

Accession no.715803

Item 66

Plast’ 21

No.70, April 1998, p.33-4

Spanish

PRODUCT AND PROCESS QUALITY

The plastics injection moulding activities of Plasticos El

Gorbea of Spain are examined, and the Company’s use

of industrial robots is discussed. Employment figures and

other company details are presented.

PLASTICOS EL GORBEA; SEPRO ROBOTICAEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; SPAIN;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.715800

Item 67

Injection Molding

7, No.2, Feb.1999, p.133

CNC ROBOTIC DEGATERS ARE FLOOR OR

BEAM MOUNTABLE

SAS Automation has developed two new CNC

programmable degater systems. Robocut, which is floor

mounted, receives the moulded part in its own fixture fromthe manipulator on the robot and automatically moves

the sprue with parts to preprogrammed multiple gate

locations for degating. The Aeroboy is directly mounted

on the robot beam manipulator.

SAS AUTOMATIONUSA

Accession no.715673

Item 68


29, No.2, Feb.1999, p.59-61

VIRTUAL-REALITY PROGRAMMING, LINEAR

MOTORS SPUR ROBOTICS

Snyder M R

Key innovations in robotics for injection moulding include

virtual-reality programming and a high-speed robot with a

linear motor. AEC Automation Engineering has introduced

the AE Series of servo drive robots for machines ranging

from 50 to 6000 tonnes. Sepro’s three-axis CNC robot is

for use with machines as small as 25 tonnes. SAS

Automation has debuted in the gate-cutting robotics field.

WORLD

Accession no.714494

Item 69

Plastics in Canada

Oct/Nov.1998, p.15-6

AUTOMATION: UNDERSTANDING ROBOTS

The use of robots in the moulding industry is examined

and trends are discussed with respect to product selection

and the design of end-of-arm-tooling (EOAT). Accordingto Wittmann Robot & Automation Systems, three-axis

electric robots are almost a baseline in any new plastics

automation plant, while CNC robots allow a setup of

positions from the floor, as well as quick reference for

mould changeovers. The importance of training is

emphasised.

WITTMANN ROBOT & AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

INC.USA

Accession no.711734

Item 70


COMPACT AND TORQUE FREE SIDE ENTRY

TROLLEY ROBOT

Coxhead B F


A side entry robot for removing moulded articles from

mould halves of a moulding machine of the present

invention and an associated process and moulding machine

are disclosed. The robot includes a device for engaging the

article; a trolley for supporting and carrying the device for

engaging into and out of the mould halves; a mechanismfor guiding the trolley from outside the mould halves to a

position between the mould halves, wherein the mechanism

for guiding is stationarily fixed between the mould halves

and wherein the mechanism for guiding extends from

outside the mould halves to between the mould halves;

and a device for moving the trolley along the mechanism

for guiding to a position between the mould halves and to

a position outside of the mould halves.

CANADA

Accession no.710699

Item 71 Revue Generale des Caoutchoucs et Plastiques

No.764, Dec.1997, p.56-61





French

ROBOTS: MAKING MORE WITHOUT

SPENDING MORE

Delannoy G

Developments in industrial robots and manipulators for

use in plastics and rubber injection moulding are

reviewed. The activities of a number of companies

involved in the manufacture of robots are examined, with

particular reference to Sepro Robotique for which

turnover and employment figures are presented.

SEPRO ROBOTIQUE; CONAIR SEPRO; ALBORA;

WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMS; CHAVERIAT SA;

SYTRAMA SRL; MARTIPLAST; GUIGNARD

AUTOMATISATION; APEX ROBOT SYSTEMS;

BATTENFELD FRANCE SARL; INDEX (PLASTIC

SYSTEMS) LTD.; FAIRWAY; HARMO ROBOTS

LTD.; PIOVAN + STAR AUTOMATION; STAR SEIKI

CO.LTD.AUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;FRANCE; ITALY; JAPAN; TAIWAN; USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.710648

Item 72


85, No.8, Aug.1995, p.47-8

AUTOMATED PARTS HANDLING

Zingel H

Robotec Consulting AG

The functions and capabilities are described of the Moro

universal, modular robot system which has been developed on the basis of the customary and constantly occurring tasks

in the environment of the injection moulding machine. This

particular innovative robot deployment strategy, either

along the length of the machine or at right angles to it, has

opened up an additional possibility which permits more

latitude during planning, it is claimed. The variable working

area of the modular robot means it can be readily re-oriented

for different tasks.

SWITZERLAND; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.710002

Item 73 Kunststoffe Plast Europe

85, No.9, Sept.1995, p.45-6

LINKED BY ROBOTS

Wenzel M

Reiss Robotics

The linking by a robot of two injection moulding machines

is demonstrated to enable reproducible and reliable two-

stage injection moulding to be achieved for the production

of automotive components such as fascia panels for

automotive heating and air conditioning units. The

production system which is described consists of a film

magazine, two 1000 kN injection moulding machines and a delivery system. These are connected by a linear robot

with an axis 1 of 6000 mm stroke.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.709854

Item 74


84, No.10, Oct.1994, p.57-8CYCLIC HANDLING

The use is described of automated handling processes used

in the production of digital compact cassettes, with the

importance of the interface between the injection mould

and the palletising station being emphasised. The

individual stages of withdrawal, transfer, assembly, parts

conveyance and palletising are carried out by only one

handling gantry with a horizontal robot.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.709837

Item 75


84, No.10, Oct.1994, p.54/7

FOLDING-ARM ROBOT ASSEMBLES

COMPONENTS ON THE INJECTION

MOULDING MACHINE

Kroth E

Maschinenfabrik Reis GmbH & Co.

The automation of injection moulding machines with 6-

axis folding-arm robots is discussed with reference to the

direct finishing of injection mouldings. The flexibility of the RV6 industrial robot makes it possible to carry out

tasks such as deflashing, marking, assembly, and testing

within the cycle time, and to carry out a simple changeover

during a product change.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.709836

Item 76

Plast’ 21

Nos.67/8, Jan./Feb.1998, p.31-4

SpanishFUTURE TRENDS IN THE INJECTION

MOULDING MACHINE

Novella A

Taller de Inyeccion de la Industria del Plastico

Trends in plastics injection moulding machines are

examined, with particular reference to electric presses,

clamping units, control systems and ancillary equipment.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.706061

Item 77






85, No.3, March 1995, p.20-1

REMOVAL, FINISHING AND ASSEMBLY

Wenzel M

Reis Robotics

The use of swan-neck robots at Braun Corp.’s

Marktheidenfeld factory is discussed. They are not only

used for parts removal from the injection moulding

machine, but also for the automation of ancillary

operations such as marking or flash removal. Their use is

demonstrated to provide a significant increase in

productivity, and reduction in production costs. The

automated manufacture of an espresso machine and a food

processor is described.

BRAUN CORP.EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.703669

Item 78


49, No.8, Nov.1997, p.82-5

French

AUTOMATION: CONTINUED INTEGRATION

Gailliez E

Developments in industrial robots and manipulators for

use in plastics injection moulding are reviewed, and

systems produced by a number of companies are

described. The activities of Sepro Robotique of France in

the manufacture of robots are examined, and turnover and

employment figures are presented for the Company.SEPRO ROBOTIQUE; CHAVERIAT-AUROCH;

WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMS; APEX ROBOT

SYSTEMS; SYTRAMA; ALBORA; HARMO

ROBOTS LTD.; HEKUMA; CONAIR INC.; PIOVAN

+ STAR AUTOMATION; ARBURG

MASCHINENFABRIK; ENGEL; BATTENFELD

GMBH; STAUBLI; FANUC; ABB AUTOMATIONAUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;

FRANCE; GERMANY; ITALY; JAPAN; SCANDINAVIA;

SWEDEN; USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.702515

Item 79


Nos.11/12, Nov./Dec.1997, p.742-50

Italian

IN SEARCH OF LOST PRODUCTIVITY

Baucia G

A survey is made of developments by a number of

companies in industrial robots and other automation

systems for use in plastics injection moulding.

BATTENFELD GMBH; SIEMENS AG; CROMA

SRL; MANNESMANN DEMAG

KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK; SOCO SYSTEM; DALMASCHIO; CAMPETELLA ROBOTIC CENTER;

IROBI SISTEMI; MORETTO; COLOMBO

OFFICINE MECCANICHE; HEKUMA; GOSEWEHR

GMBH; REIS ROBOTICS; STAUBLI UNIMATION

LTD.; REMAK; UNIROBOT; WITTMANN ROBOT

SYSTEMSAUSTRIA; BELGIUM; DENMARK; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY;

EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY; ITALY; SCANDINAVIA;


Accession no.702511

Item 80

Industria della Gomma

41, No.8, Oct.1997, p.37-8

Italian

AUTOMATIC PRODUCTION UNIT FOR

RUBBER-METAL ARTICLES

Coscia M

Rutil Srl

The production of an automotive gasket using machinery

developed by Rutil is described. The assembly consistsof a glass fibre-reinforced polyamide base over which is

moulded a silicone rubber gasket, and also incorporates

a number of metal reinforcement washers. The production

unit comprises a pair of C-frame injection presses, one

for moulding the base and the other for overmoulding

the gasket, with rotating tables for handling the parts, a

station for loading the metal washers into the mould, and

an industrial robot for checking the quality of the gaskets

before unloading.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.702481

Item 81


QUICK CHANGE MOULD TOOLING

Schock R J; Brun C J

Electric Form Inc.

A mould core assembly for removable installation in a

moulding machine includes a first lock element attached

to a core and a second lock element movably attached to

a core retainer. The second lock element is movable

between a locked position fitted in locking connection

with the first lock element and an unlocked positionseparated from the first lock element. A slip ring surrounds

the first lock element of the core, engaging and holding

the second lock element in its locked position. A spring

is connected between the core retainer and the slip ring,

with the spring biased to oppose movement of the slip

ring away from its locked position so that the core is

normally held in its locked position in the core retainer

USA

Accession no.702267

Item 82

Molding Systems

56, No.7, Sept.1998, p.30-4





JUSTIFY YOUR AUTOMATION PROJECT

Schmitz J

AEC/Application Automation

The benefits of robot automation are examined by

showing how to compare the costs of running an injection

moulding process without a robot with the costs for the

same process automated with a robot. In general, robots

result in higher productivity, higher quality products and

a safer workplace. Sprue pickers, pneumatic robots and

motor-driven robots are discussed.

USA

Accession no.700082

Item 83


88, No.9, Sept.1998, p.25-6,1425/30

German; English

LINEAR AND ARTICULATED ROBOTS. ACOMPARISON OF VARIOUS KINEMATICS AND

CONCEPTS

Wenzel M

Reis Robotics

The use of different kinematics either alone or, particularly

in complex systems, in combination to provide a solution

to automation problems in injection moulding production

is discussed. Modern software concepts are shown to be

making robots easier to operate and to be opening up a

technology that provides more extensive functionality.


WESTERN EUROPE Accession no.699035

Item 84

Plast’ 21

No.62, June/July 1997, p.86-7

Spanish

WITTMANN’S W420 ROBOT/MANIPULATOR

Applications of the Wittmann W420 industrial robot/

manipulator in plastics injection moulding are examined,

and other robots in the Company’s range are briefly

described.

WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMSAUSTRIA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.695283

Item 85

Plast’ 21

No.62, June/July 1997, p.40-1

Spanish

PLASTICS EXTERNAL LENSES FOR VEHICLE

LIGHTS

Injection moulding and coating processes used by Valeo

Iluminacion/Senalizacion of Spain in the manufacture of polycarbonate external lenses for vehicle lights are

described. The use of industrial robots manufactured by

Sepro in the automation of the production processes is

examined.

VALEO ILUMINACION/SENALIZACION SA;

VALEO SA; SEPRO ROBOTICA

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE;


Accession no.695275

Item 86

Plast’ 21

No.62, June/July 1997, p.38-9

Spanish

AUTOMATION IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY

The use by Braun of industrial robots manufactured by

Reis in its plastics injection moulding operations for the

manufacture of domestic appliances is described.

Examples are also presented of applications of robots in

the service industries.

BRAUN AG; BRAUN ESPANOLA; LUFTHANSA

AG; REIS ROBOTICS



Accession no.695274

Item 87


25, No.8, Sept.1998, p.40-2

SMART ROBOTS

Vink DDynamit Nobel has taken a novel approach to automating

the production of plastics body panels for the MCC Smart

car. The factory at the MCC site in Hambach, France, has

multi-axial robots mounted directly on the top of the fixed

platens of the injection moulding machine. As well as

part removal, articulated multi-axial robots can also be

used to supply inserts to the mould and apply mould

release agent. They can remove flash with a ceramic blade

and submit parts to flame treatment.

DYNAMIT NOBEL

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.692130

Item 88

Journal of Injection Molding Technology

2, No.2, June 1998, p.95-101

USE OF SERVO ROBOTS FOR INJECTION

MOLDING APPLICATIONS

Mallon J M

Yushin America Inc.

The use of robots, in which all primary axes of motion

are driven by digital, AC servo motors, in injectionmoulding applications is described and their functional

advantages over robots that employ other drive





mechanisms are discussed. The economic benefits of

servo robots are considered, using a hypothetical

application as a model. 6 refs.

USA

Accession no.691457

Item 89

Plastics Technology

44, No.7, July 1998, p.39

‘PIGGY BACK’ ROBOT HANDLES TWO-

COLOUR PARTS

Ogando J

Simply pulling parts off the press barely begins to tap the

capabilities of current injection moulding robots. Often the

really big savings come from automating labour-intensive

secondary operations. This is what happened at Calsonic

North America, which recently adopted a multi-task robotic

system for its two-component moulding operation.

Calsonic’s robotic system, which comes from Conair,

revolves around a Sepro servo robot with a sprue picker

mounted on its main beam. This hybrid robot

simultaneously handles the sprue removal chores and takes

away the finished parts. The system also includes a variety

of custom automation equipment for parts collection and

secondary operations. Calsonic, which makes automotive

air conditioners, recently began two-component moulding

to produce control buttons for the units. The two-shot

process typically produces white polycarbonate lettering

overmoulded with black ABS. Calsonic moulds the parts

in a two-barrel 120-ton Nissei press with a rotating platen.

Four- and six-cavity family tools produce sets of different buttons. In Japan, where the company moulds similar two-

colour buttons, Calsonic needs two operators to handle parts

removal, degating, and other secondary operations. In the

USA, the company does not have any one operator assigned

to the line; details are given.

CALSONIC NORTH AMERICAUSA

Accession no.690473

Item 90


No.1744, 10th July 1998, p.9ATM AUTOMATES PC CHASSIS LINE

ATM Automation has installed an automated production

cell at Rosti which has enabled the number of operators

required for the assembly and inspection of a 3COM

computer chassis to be reduced from five to two, while at

the same time improving quality of output. The chassis

parts are produced on a Sandretto moulding machine in a

single cavity mould. The machine has an ATM ES2000

three axis CNC low headroom take-out robot which takes

a part from the fixed mould half every 60 seconds.

ATM AUTOMATION LTD.EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK;WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.688384

Item 91


No.1744, 10th July 1998, p.7

RPC PILOTS HIGH SPEED SYSTEM

PCE Automation has developed an ultra fast side-entry

robot system, the Model 200 Racer, which can unload

most injection moulded components faster than free-fall

demoulding. RPC Containers wanted an automated

unloading system which maintained orientation, but which

would not extend the cycle. A PCE Racer robot system

unloading paint-style containers has been running on a

Billion injection moulding machine at RPC’s plant at

Oakham for around six months.

PCE AUTOMATION; RPC CONTAINERS LTD.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.688383

Item 92


No.1744, 10th July 1998, p.7

ECONOMICS DRIVE ROBOT GROWTH

The strong pound is one of the factors behind the UK’s

growing interest in manufacturing automation as plastics

processors struggle to maintain competitiveness against

rivals in continental Europe and further afield. Processors

at all levels are demanding more of their automation,

whether that means upgrading from pneumatic to servo

drive robots or incorporating downstream functions

beyond the regular pick-and-place duties.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.688382

Item 93

Plast’ 21

No.60, April 1997, p.64-5

Spanish

ST SERIES MODULAR, HIGH EFFICIENCY

ROBOTS

Technical features and applications in plastics injection

moulding are examined for the ST Series of industrial

robots manufactured by Apex Robot Systems and supplied

in Spain by Equiper.

APEX ROBOT SYSTEMS; EQUIPER SL


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.686281

Item 94

Plastics News International

May 1998, p.10WHY USE SERVO-ROBOTS?

McKinlay D





Southstar Machinery

It is explained that servo-robots are no longer the domain

of long-run production, but are now developed and

flexible enough to offer substantial benefits to all injection

moulders - flexibility being a must for the Australian and

New Zealand environment of short-run production.

AUSTRALIA; NEW ZEALAND

Accession no.684110

Item 95

Plastiques Flash

No.296, March 1997, p.61-3

French

ENERPAC: SOLUTIONS FOR SPEEDING UP

PRODUCTION CHANGES

A survey is made of quick mould changing and other

automation systems supplied by Enerpac for use in the

plastics injection moulding industry.ENERPAC AUTOMATION SYSTEMS; MONTANAEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE;

NETHERLANDS; USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.682341

Item 96

Plastics Engineering

54, No.5, May 1998, p.37-40

HOW TO PLAN A ROBOT-BASED

AUTOMATION CELL

Rodrigues J

Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.Proper planning of automated moulding depends heavily

on the development of an early partnership between the

supplier of automation equipment and the mould maker.

After reviewing the typical reasons for using automation,

this article presents a systematic approach to planning an

automated moulding cell.

CANADA

Accession no.680632

Item 97


54, No.5, May 1998, p.24-9ROBOTICS

Wigotsky V

The robotics industry in North America is now a 1.1bn US

dollars business with nearly 12,500 robots shipped in 1997.

It is estimated that the plastics industry’s share, most notably

for injection moulding, was probably under 100m US

dollars, with total shipments approximating 2000 units. The

industry is said to have evolved in three phases, the entry-

phase level with pick-and-place robots, servo robots, and

the third phase represented by the automation cell. The

capabilities offered by robots, together with examples of

robotic systems available from US suppliers, are discussed.USA

Accession no.680629

Item 98

Molding Systems

56, No.4, April 1998, p.32-3

FAST-FORWARD: AUTOMATED REMOVAL &

ASSEMBLY OF CASSETTE CASES

Nypro Alabama has moulded and assembled over 24

million clear cassette cases in the last two years, with

just one attendant on duty. Two dedicated injection

machines placed side-by-side mould the components, one

moulds the case bases, while the other moulds the covers.

Robots demould the PS parts and hand them off to an

automated work cell, where the bases and covers are

assembled at a rate of six cases every nine seconds. All

this automation is integrated as one system from Yushin

America.

NYPRO ALABAMA INC.; YUSHIN AMERICA INC.USA

Accession no.680059

Item 99


28, No.4, April 1998, p.81-3

WITH AUTOMATION OPTIONS COMES

MONEY IN THE BANK FOR MOULDERS

Snyder M R

Current market trends in robotics include completely

automated part handling systems, robots with payload

capabilities up to 200 or even 300lb for use with 1000-

6000 ton machines, and high speed robots for tiny parts

run on small machines up to about 150 tons. Hekumarecently demonstrated a production/assembly/packaging

cell for petri dishes. Robots from Battenfeld range from

sprue pickers to six-axis units that can carry payloads up

to 300lb.


USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.678257

Item 100


28, No.4, April 1998, p.31

MODULAR ROBOTIC END-OF-ARM TOOLING

WINS NEW ACCEPTANCE

Snyder M R

Modular approaches to robotic end-of-arm tooling are fast

becoming widely accepted in North America. The

technology involves a gripping, suction or vacuum

assembly at the end of the robot arm that transports parts

away from the mould. US and Canadian moulders have

begun to accept tooling that is sufficiently “modular” or

“adjustable” to be used on multiple moulds and fine-tuned

enough to maximise performance on the original mould

for which tooling was built. NORTH AMERICA

Accession no.678245





Item 101

Injection Molding

6, No.4, April 1998, p.104

CAN’T FIND A SUITABLE AUTOMATION

SOLUTION?

The Lightning Loader from P.T. Equipment Inc. has been

developed by employees at PRD Inc. in response to the

need to streamline the sprue picking and recycling

process. The company uses robots for sprue picking,

which drop the runners into the beside-the-press grinder,

which feeds the Lightning Loader. This in turn, delivers

regrind and virgin at a preset ratio, and then blends them

in the machine hopper. Details are given of the equipment.

PRD INC.

USA

Accession no.675528

Item 102

Injection Molding

6, No.3, March 1998, p.96/8

AUTOMATION IS A SOUND IDEA TO BOSE

Kirkland C

Bose Corp.’s captive moulding plant was designed with

integrated in-line automation in mind, and incorporates a

high level of automation with the Wittmann servorobot

control system. All the captive moulding is performed in

self-contained workcells using standardised equipment.

Details are given of how the use of servorobots and beside-

the-press automation of tasks like degating, pad printing,

heat staking and boxing have improved the company’sefficiency and quality control.

BOSE CORP.; WITTMANN ROBOT &

AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

USA

Accession no.675337

Item 103

Injection Molding

6, No.3, March 1998, p.85/8

LIGHTS-OUT ALL-ELECTRIC MOLDING IN

TAIWANKirkland C

CMC Magnetics Corp.’s King Lin 2nd factory in Ping

Chen City, Taiwan is an example of a successful lights

out, all-electric moulding facility that has benefitted from

the involvement of suppliers of advanced moulding

technology and control and automation equipment from

the very beginning. The plant produces jewel boxes,

running 24 hours/day, 7 days/week in three shifts with 37

employees involved mostly with inspection, assembly and

packaging.

CMC MAGNETICS CORP.

TAIWAN

Accession no.675335

Item 104

Plast’ 21

No.54, Sept.1996, p.62-3

Spanish

WITTMANN DEVELOPS A ROBOTISED

INSTALLATION FOR YORKA

Details are given of a robotic system developed by

Wittmann and used by Yorka in the injection moulding

of two-colour PMMA vehicle lights.

WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMS; YORKA SAEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;


Accession no.670818

Item 105

Molding Systems

55, No.12, Nov./Dec.1997, p.40

ELECTRIC MACHINES MAKE LIGHTS-OUT

MOULDING A REALITY

The eight injection presses at ABA-PGT’s Vernon, CT

plant produce precision plastic gears around the clock

seven days a week. Only one shift of four employees

operates the machines, during the other two shifts they

run unattended. The company uses all-electric, CNC

controlled Roboshot machines from Cincinnati Milacron.

Repeatability is critical for an automated process and the

machines use artificial intelligence to control the real-

time melt pressure.

ABA-PGT INC.

USA Accession no.669129

Item 106

Molding Systems

55, No.12, Nov./Dec.1997, p.28-31

AUTOMATION ADDS VALUE FOR MOULDERS

Mallon J M

Yushin America Inc.

The basic goals of automation in injection moulding

operations are to boost productivity and generate cost

savings. Many injection moulders have yet to take

advantage of automation and may now find themselves

in a catch-up position. The technology will continue to

advance and moulders will seek progressively higher

levels of automation to continually improve productivity

and bolster their competitive positions.

USA

Accession no.669126

Item 107

Injection Molding

6, No.1, Jan.1998, p.93-4

DIGITISED EYES SPOT PROBLEMS BEFORETHEY HAPPEN

Kirkland C





This comprehensive article describes the advanced digital

optical inspection systems used by Plastic Molding

Technology Inc. on its rotary and shuttle table insert

moulding presses. The inspection systems ensure that the

tiny inserts used are properly loaded. These systems have

substantially reduced the occurrence of costly mould

damage and downtime. Cycle times have improved ashas part quality.

PLASTIC MOLDING TECHNOLOGY INC.USA

Accession no.668663

Item 108

Plast’ 21

No.51, April 1996, p.60-1

Spanish

TRANSPLAST AUTOMATES MATERIALS

HANDLING

Details are given of materials handling equipment

supplied by Transplast of Spain to Frape-Behr, a Spanish

injection moulder producing automotive components

from blends of virgin and recycled plastics.

TRANSPLAST; FRAPE-BEHR EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; SPAIN;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.663491

Item 109

Injection Moulding International

2, No.4, Sept./Oct.1997, p.51-3RUNNING UNATTENDED THROUGH THE

WEEKEND

This article describes the optimisation of the injection

moulding production process of motor protecting switches

at Kloeckner-Moeller GmbH of Germany. The company

has automated all activities that do not create added value,

and also has designed the plant so that the automated

peripherals offer sufficient performance to permit

weekend shifts to run without any staff. Details are given.

BATTENFELD AUTOMATISIERUNGSTECHNIK

GMBH; KLOECKNER-MOELLER GMBH

AUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;GERMANY; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.661030

Item 110

Materiaux & Techniques

85, Nos.1/2, Jan./Feb.1997, p.3-10

French

PLASTICS INJECTION MOULDING

TECHNIQUES IN THE COURSE OF

DEVELOPMENT

Reyne M

Developments in plastics injection moulding processes,

machinery and automation and control systems are

examined. A number of processes are described, including

sequential, structural foam, gas-assisted, fusible core,

multi-material and multi-colour injection moulding,

microinjection, insert, outsert and sandwich moulding,

clean room injection moulding, moulding of liquid crystal

polymers and in-mould painting and decorating processes.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE;WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.658247

Item 111

Injection Molding

5, No.9, Suppl.Sept.1997, p.28/30

SPEED DEMONS, NEW CONTROLLERS

DOMINATE

Although speed is the criterion by which most moulders

measure robots, several original equipment

manufacturers are trying to make robot set-up and

operation easier and faster. For several robot makers,

this came in the form of intuitive, graphics-based,

touch-screen controllers at the recent NPE ’97

exhibition. For others, the improvements came in

handheld controllers with simplified commands and

controls. But, if it is speed that is required, there are a

lot of machines from which to choose. For pure speed,

regardless of application, machine, or part, one of the

quickest is the DRD from Yushin America. Designed

for use in CD moulding, it claims a part takeout time

of 15 seconds. This side-entry swing-type model

removes parts to the rear of the press. The carbon fibre

takeout arm provides light weight and stiffness. Detailsof other products available from Fanuc Robotics, CBW,

Mark 2 Automation, Conair, Geiger Handling,

Automated Assemblies, Husky, Sterltech, SAS

Automation, AEC, Wittmann and Automated

Assemblies are given.

USA

Accession no.657781

Item 112

Injection Molding

5, No.10, Oct. 1997, p.105-6

HIGH-SPEED AUTOMATION TAKES

TEAMWORK

Kirkland C

Nypro Alabama Inc.’s high speed automated production

of cassette jewel boxes is described. The company has

developed a fully automated manufacturing cell for high

speed moulding and assembly of snapfit cassette cases

with the aid of automation supplier Yushkin America Inc.

Yushkin worked with Nypro Alabama to ensure that the

cassette cases were designed for automated

manufacturability. Details are given of the cell.

NYPRO ALABAMA INC.; YUSHIN AMERICA INC.USA

Accession no.655670





Item 113

Plastiques Flash

No.292, Sept./Oct.1996, p.86-7

French

TOTAL AUTOMATION IN THE DRYING AND

COLOURING OF ABS

Details are given of automated drying and colouring

systems supplied by Simar to Compagnie Industrielle des

Moulages de l’Est (Cimest) of France for use in its ABS

injection moulding operations.

CIMEST SA; COMPAGNIE INDUSTRIELLE DES

MOULAGES DE L’EST; SIMAR; SECMIEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE;

GERMANY; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.649956

Item 114

Plastiques Flash

No.292, Sept./Oct.1996, p.41-2

French

EXPANSION OF PLASTIQUES 2005 RESTS ON

SPECIALISED PRODUCTION CELLS

The plastics injection moulding activities of Plastiques

2005 of France are examined. Turnover and employment

figures are presented, and details are given of types of

thermoplastics processed, the range of products

manufactured, and developments in the Company’s plant

including the introduction of production cells and

investments in automation and finishing equipment.

PLASTIQUES 2005EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.649951

Item 115


27, No.8, Aug.1997, p.115/8

SERVO ROBOTS CLAIM SAVINGS FOR

INJECTION MOULDERS

Mallon J M

Yushin America Inc.

In order to remain competitive, injection moulders haveto minimise direct labour costs while retaining quality

and productivity. One way to do this is by installing

automated work cells that use servo robots. In the US, it

is possible to demonstrate annualised cost savings of more

than 40,874 US dollars compared to the use of other types

of robots. This article examines the benefits of servo

robots, air-driven robots and hybrid air-servo robots and

presents cost comparisons.

USA

Accession no.647936

Item 116


MOULDING PLANT FOR CONVEYING

MOULDS FOR CHOCOLATE OR SIMILAR

PRODUCTS

Renzo C

Carle & Montanari SpA

A drive shaft, which includes conveying screws mounted

on a shaft, conveys the moulds along a processing path

through stations in the plant. The underside of each mould

has downwardly projecting studs or projections that

engage between threads of the conveying screws. The

studs are arranged such that the moulds can be conveyed

along at least two different, transverse processing paths.

Preferably, the studs are positioned such that the

engagement between the studs and the screws is along a

midline of the moulds.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.647320

Item 117


BOTTLE INSPECTION ALONG MOULDER

TRANSPORT PATH

Darling D T; Francis T G; Williams B L; Dewar H L;

Delater D B; Gold D B; Pentel J; Wright P L; Sands P

J; Cochran P

Pressco Technology Inc.

Camera based inspection equipment is used in conjunction

with a multiple-station forming device such as a blow

moulder for PETP or PEN bottle manufacturing. Theinspection system relies on handling devices that present

successive bottles for imaging. A seal surface inspection

module, a base/neck fold inspection module and a finish

gauge inspection module are integrated into the route of

preforms and containers through the container

manufacturing equipment such that the inspection system

is directed to view the passing bottles as they are carried

on the transfer devices needed to load and unload the

moulder.

USA

Accession no.647318

Item 118


DEVICE FOR REMOVING RUNNERS FROM

MOULDED PRODUCTS

Sumioka K; Haji M; Suzuki T; Sonobe M; Naitoh N

Yamaha Motor Co.Ltd.

A device for removing runners from intermediate moulded

products includes a holding assembly for maintaining the

products in a desired position, a hammer member, an

assembly for vibrating the hammer member to cause

repeated striking of the intermediate product so as to

separate runner and product portions thereof and a controlarrangement for selectively activating and deactivating

the vibrating assembly. The control arrangement provides





for positioning the vibrating assembly in at least one

predetermined position upon deactivation thereof so as

to enable the vibrating assembly to be readily restarted.

The holding assembly can incorporate a robot arm for

transporting and positioning the intermediate moulded

product for runner removal. In order to protect the robot

arm from the effects of vibrational forces, the intermediatemoulded product is adapted to be resiliently attached to

the robot arm.

JAPAN

Accession no.645145

Item 119

Plast’ 21

No.50, March 1996, p.83-4

Spanish

WHEN THE ROBOT BECOMES A NECESSITY

Pavon V

Sepro Robotica

Applications of industrial robots and manipulators in

plastics injection moulding are discussed.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.639091

Item 120


May 1997, p.4-7

AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS

Many trade moulders are now expected to provide

completed assemblies and end user companies are

increasingly expecting their suppliers to be using

automation systems. Many moulders now see bought-in

project management of automation systems as an

appropriate way to go. Two companies which are

increasingly involved in this type of work are ATM

Automation and Wittmann UK. Automation systems from

the two companies tend to be based on a standard product

removal robot, but downstream of this robot is likely to

be a custom-built device incorporating other robots.

ATM AUTOMATION LTD.; WITTMANN UK LTD.


Accession no.638716

Item 121


INJECTION MOULDING MACHINE HAVING A

ROTATABLE TURRET

van Manen D; Albers H J T

Inter Tooling Services BV

An apparatus for the injection moulding of synthetic

products, comprises a die provided with a plurality of

cavities, a discharge device and a robot device for

receiving the products moulded in the cavities of the die

and transferring those products to the discharge device.

The robot device comprises at least two receiving plates,

each capable of receiving a number of moulded products

equal to at least once the number of cavities of the die,

and a drive device for successively bringing the receiving

plates into a receiving position next to the die, and for

bringing a receiving plate from the receiving position intoa take-over position and back again, in which take-over

position the moulded products can be taken over from

the die.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;

NETHERLANDS; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.638125

Item 122

Antec 97. Volume I. Conference proceedings.

Toronto, 27th April-2nd May 1997, p.502-6. 012

HOW TO PLAN A ROBOT-BASED

AUTOMATION CELLRodrigues J


(SPE)

The planning of a robot-based automation cell for

injection moulding is described. Aspects covered include

whether a robot is the right choice, type of robot, selection

of vendor/identification of system integrator and product

features for automation.

CANADA

Accession no.636707

Item 123


Jan/Feb.1997, p.6

DEVELOPMENT SPEEDS PART REMOVAL

This article highlights “Absolute Part Tracking” (APT),

an optional feature introduced by Husky Injection

Molding Systems, to provide improved cycle-time savings

when using its Moduline top entry robot series. APT

enables the robot to follow the machine’s clamp motion

so that part take out motion can begin in advance of full

mould open.

HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMSAUSTRALIA

Accession no.636102

Item 124

Plastics World

55, No.5, May 1997, p.31-4

AUTOMATION HELPS AMP BOOST QUALITY,

CUT SCRAP

The introduction of automation at AMP Inc.s’ Greensboro,

N.C. facility is described, with details of the automated

process and its advantages in terms of improved productivity, cost savings in manpower, reduction of scrap

rate, and improvements in quality. The system was installed





and developed by Yushin America Inc. to place inserts in

moulds, remove moulded parts and pack them in trays.

AMP INC.; YUSHIN AMERICA INC.USA

Accession no.634982

Item 125


87, No.4, April 1997, p.17-8

INTEGRATED PRODUCTION

Ammann T

With the aid of a robot, injection moulded parts can be

removed from a mould and deposited at an exact location

and in the proper orientation. If the robot does not place

the parts randomly in a container, and it is no longer

necessary to reorient the parts with a great deal of effort

prior to post-moulding operations, considerable time and

money can be saved during subsequent automated assembly. During a test phase, a subassembly used in a

fire alarm system for Cerberus was produced in small

quantities, packed, sent for completion to the company’s

in-house assembly department or cottage workers,

repacked and finally shipped to the customer for final

assembly. Details are given.

CERBERUS AG; EGO KUNSTSTOFFWERK AGSWITZERLAND; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.634107

Item 126

Modern Plastics International 27, No.4, April 1997, p.26-7

PRECISION GEAR-MAKER TURNS “LIGHTS

OUT” IDEA INTO REALITY

Grande J A

Precision gear maker, ABA-PGT now runs a “lights-out”

injection moulding operation where eight machines run for

24 hours a day, seven days a week, virtually unattended.

The company invested 2m US dollars in a satellite plant,

purchasing three 975kN and five 490kN CNC-controlled,

servo-electric Roboshot machines from Cincinnati

Milacron. The servo-electric machines are said to provide

better shot-to-shot repeatability than hydraulic units.

ABA-PGT INC.USA

Accession no.630320

Item 127


LEAK DETECTOR FOR AN INJECTION

MOULDING MACHINE

Kennedy G P; Donnelly J P M

Teetotum Ltd.

The above leak detector comprises a small diameter conduit located adjacent to a potential leak site on or

associated with the machine, through which a regulated

supply of air is emitted. When the conduit outlet is

blocked with leaked molten plastics, a sensor in the

conduit instantly detects a change in air flow or back

pressure and triggers an alarm, and optionally cuts off

the machine automatically to avoid damage to machine

components and with the object of reducing machine

down time. Changes in incoming primary air supply pressure may be detected to provide a fail-safe system.

Alternatively, air pressure in the conduit may be below

zero, i.e. a vacuum, so that air is sucked into the conduit

at its outlet. Several potential leak sites may be

monitored simultaneously from a single sensor

arrangement.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; IRELAND;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.629711

Item 128

Injection Moulding International 2, No.1, Jan./Feb.1997, p.74-6

FACING PRESENT-DAY PROBLEMS IN A

FACTORY OF THE FUTURE

Kirkland C

Yushin Precision Equipment set out to show that

technology exists today to build a fully automated

injection moulding “factory of the future”. The company

invested about 130 million yen to build Lemon Precision,

which has been up and running around the clock for the

past three years. Daiei Kogyo became a customer of the

Yushin automated plant concept. Its Tohoku Factory was

designed and built to serve a single local customer, National/Panasonic, but has since become a custom

moulder and now pursues business with other audio

systems OEM’s.

YUSHIN PRECISION EQUIPMENT CO.LTD.; DAIEI

KOGYO CO.LTD.JAPAN

Accession no.624859

Item 129


2, No.1, Jan./Feb.1997, p.66-7

AUTOMATED CELL MOULDS, FINISHES,

PACKS PLUMBING FITTINGS

Neilley R

Geberit, one of the largest suppliers of plumbing-based

sanitary systems, had designed fully automated injection

moulding based production cells for various plumbing

components in its product line. Its most recently installed

production cell, supplied by Mannesmann Demag, is

producing elbow-type angled fittings of HDPE. The cell

consists of a 650 ton Ergotech injection machine with

2x2-cavity mould, DR 330 CNC robotic handling system,

through to a packaging unit.

GEBERIT AG; MANNESMANN DEMAG

KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK







Accession no.624856

Item 130


2, No.1, Jan./Feb.1997, p.61-2SIX-AXIS ARTICULATED ARM ROBOT

IMPROVES OVERMOULDING PROCESS

Kammerer and Reis Robotics have designed a production

cell to manufacture a two-component front panel with

dials as inserts. The panels, for automotive air

conditioning units, incorporate the necessary dials that

are already labelled with text or symbols. The injection

moulding machine, the film storage station with the Scara

robot and finally the container for the finished parts form

a semicircle around the robot, which operates all of them.

REIS ROBOTICSEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.624854

Item 131


27, No.2, Feb.1997, p.69-71

ROBOT BUILDERS ENHANCE CONTROLS,

LOOK TO MEET DOWNSTREAM NEEDS

Snyder M R

Custom injection moulders, wanting easy job-to-job

transitions and greater flexibility to perform more than just part removal, are driving a trend towards electric

robots. Wittmann’s Canbus system allows the controller

to run the robot and downstream equipment

simultaneously. Sterling has introduced the STS controller

for Pulsar and Meteor Series traverse robots with 3-axis

motor drive. Engel has introduced a fully servodriven,

high-speed robot capable of speeds of 4m/s.

NORTH AMERICA

Accession no.619796

Item 132

Plast’ 21 No.46, Oct.1995, p.24

Spanish

PROCESS RATIONALISATION AND

INCREASED EFFICIENCY THROUGH ROBOTS

The use of an industrial robot designed by Wittmann in a

specialised injection moulding application is described.

The process uses two machines and involves the injection

moulding of a thermoplastic component which is

subsequently overmoulded with a thermoset.

WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMSEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.616945

Item 133


ROBOT FOR EJECTION OF AN OBJECT FROM

BETWEEN TWO BODIES

Kimura A; Nakamachi K; Saito A; Inoue T; Tominaga

M

Sony Corp.

This includes a holding section for holding an object

mounted on a movable body and a moving section for

ejecting the object from the movable body by movement

of the holding section. The moving section includes a first

guide section meshing with the holding section for linearly

moving the holding section in a first direction by rotation

with respect to the action of the movable body and a

second guide section for rotating the holding section in a

second direction along with the rotation of the guide

section directed in the first direction. The first guide

section may be composed of a ball screw, the holding

section has a nut and the ball screw meshes with the nut.The second guide means may be composed of a cam and

a cam follower meshing with the cam. Additionally, the

movable body may be composed of a movable die of a

moulding machine.

JAPAN

Accession no.616489

Item 134

Plastics World

54, No.12, Dec.1996, p.15

HIGH-PERFORMANCE SERVO ROBOT IS FOR

SMALL PRESSES

Smock D

Automated Assemblies has introduced its new Optimum

line of robots. The AZ-10 Series is described as the first

high-performance servo robot designed exclusively for

use with smaller injection moulding machines. The robot

is aimed at presses from 30 to 85 tons. The company’s

product line ranges from simple sprue pickers to the most

advanced high-speed robots. The newest series servo robot

is controlled through the company’s Optimum three-axis

servo motion controller incorporating “Lead-Through-

Teach”.

AUTOMATED ASSEMBLIES CORP.USA

Accession no.615980

Item 135


86, No.9, Sept.1996, p.15-6

FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION

Wenzel M

Leiter Controlling

The use is described of six-axial swan-neck robots for

complex insertion and demoulding tasks in injectionmoulding applications. Manufacture of a two-component





Item 141


TAKE-OUT AND COOLING APPARATUS

Hartman D A; Bright T L; Shroder T A

Electra Form Inc.

A moulded parison handling apparatus for removing

hollow plastic parisons used in the manufacture of

oriented plastic bottles from an injection moulding

machine includes a base having an arm coupled to the

injection moulding machine. A carriage mounted on the

arm moves in a first dimension into and out of the space

between the moulding elements of the moulding machine.

A frame cooling unit coupled to the carriage engages the

body portion of a set of parisons as they are released from

the moulding machine. A first motor moves the cooling

apparatus to any of three preselected positions along the

first dimension located outside the moulding machine. A

transfer assembly includes three sets of grabbers mounted

on a gantry for movement with respect to the base. Oneset of grabbers grabs the finish portion of the parisons

from the cooling apparatus. A second and third motor then

translates the transfer assembly to one of two remote

locations where a stationary cooler receives the parisons

for additional cooling. The transfer assembly then

withdraws a fully cooled set of parisons from one of the

stationary coolers, deposits the fully cooled parisons on

an exit conveyor and returns to grab another set of newly

released parisons from the frame cooling unit.

USA

Accession no.592591

Item 142


May 1996, p.29

UPM INSTALLS FULL SYSTEM FOR SRAM

UPM Machinery Sales says it was chosen by SRAM

Corporation to supply ancillary equipment for its new

injection moulding factory in Ireland because it was the

only company which could supply a complete automation

package. SRAM manufactures Gripshift quick gear

change assemblies for mountain bikes and moulds various

engineering plastics. UPM was made responsible for

materials handling, process temperature control,reclamation of materials and product handling on the basis

of round the clock working, seven days a week, in a 50

week year.

UPM MACHINERY SALES LTD.; SRAM CORP.EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; IRELAND;

UK; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.590476

Item 143


86, No.4, April 1996, p.12-13

TESTING QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS WITHA ROBOT - AUTOMATED CONTROL OF EACH

INJECTION MOULDED PART

Ehrenweber R

Engel Automatisierungstechnik GmbH

Current requirements in terms of rationalisation,

availability and quality assurance are shown to make it

necessary to combine machines, moulds, robots and

peripheral equipment in a compact production cell, while

considering all process engineering and economical

aspects. The production of air bag covers from polyolefin

copolymers is described as an example of the automated

control of injection moulding. (Translated from

Kunststoffe, 86, No.4, April 1996, p.482-3)


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.590059

Item 144


26, No.5, May 1996, p.65-7

SERVO TECHNOLOGY DOMINATES

BOOMING ROBOTICS MARKET

Snyder M R

The market for part-handling automation is increasingly

dominated by top-of-the-line servomotor-controlled

systems that provide the highest-speed operation and

maximum flexibility for optimising cycle times and easing

changeover between jobs. Robots are now routinely

installed on machines of 8800kN and above, especially

in automotive applications, and can handle parts weighing

45kg and more. Ranger Automation Systems has begun

installing modems on its latest-generation robots to enablediagnosis of problems in remote locations from its

headquarters via a telephone link.


USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.589712

Item 145


No.1630, 5th April 1996, p.10

ATM ROBOTS HAVE THAT HUMAN TOUCH

ATM Automation has been manufacturing robots since

1982 and now has a turnover of 10m pounds sterling indemoulding robots in the UK. The company offers a full

range of products from pneumatic models through to

electric/side entry and in a range of sizes to suit injection

moulding machines from 100 tonnes clamp pressure

through to 1500 tonnes and special units in the 4000 series

for the very large machines. The company believes that

its success is due not just to the technical expertise, but

the support it offers customers from design, through

manufacture to sales as well as support, service and

maintenance.

ATM AUTOMATION LTD.


Accession no.585797





Item 146


TAKE-OFF PLATE DEVICE

Gessner D; McGinley T M


The device for removing moulded articles from a

moulding machine and delivering them to a transfer or

receiving station includes a plate, one or more tubes

mounted to the plate for receiving moulded articles and

one or more ejector bars for engaging portions of the

moulded articles to remove or eject them from the tubes.

Each of the tubes is provided with a cooling passageway

for effecting cooling of the moulded articles as they are

moved between the moulding machine and the receiving

station. A bottom plug, which is in contact with the cooling

passageway, is provided in each tube to more efficiently

cool an end portion of the moulded article in the tube.

Preferably, the bottom plug has an end surface, which

matches the shape of the moulded article end portion.CANADA

Accession no.585271

Item 147


47, No.1, Jan./Feb.1995, p.32-3

French

AUTOMATION: LEGRAND TAKES A STEP

FORWARD

Desfilhes P

An account is given of automation introduced by Legrand of France in its plastics injection moulding operations.

This includes mould changing, temperature control and

hot runner control systems and industrial robots, all of

which are driven by the machine’s computer control

system.

LEGRAND SA; PARMILLEUX; SISE; ARBURG

MASCHINENFABRIK EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; FRANCE;

GERMANY; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.583109

Item 148 Plastiques Modernes et Elastomeres

47, No.1, Jan./Feb.1995, p.26-9

French

AUTOMATE, BUT ABOVE ALL ORGANISE

Topuz B

Developments in automation for the plastics injection

moulding industry are examined, with particular reference

to industrial robots and mould changing systems.

SEPRO ROBOTIQUE; STAUBLI; BRAILLON;

ENERPAC; BATTENFELD GMBH; ARBURG

MASCHINENFABRIK; FARPI FRANCE;

SYTRAMA; ENGEL GMBH; PIOVAN + STAR AUTOMATION; CHAVERIAT-AUROCH;

WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMS; CONTROLE DE

PROCESSUS INDUSTRIELS; HEIDEL GMBH &

CO.AUSTRIA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;

FRANCE; GERMANY; ITALY; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.583107

Item 149


METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEPARATING

RUNNERS/SPRUES FROM PARTS AS THEY ARE

EJECTED FROM A MOULD

North R R

At & T Corp.

The device includes a product receiver underlying the

injection moulds for receiving the product after the moulds

have been opened and a sprue/runner receiver underlying

the injection moulds for receiving the sprues/runners after

the moulds have been opened. The product receiver and sprue/runner receiver are positioned relative to the moulds

and each other such that the product falls onto the product

receiver while being precluded from falling into the sprue/

runner receiver and the sprues/runners fall into the sprue/

runner receiver while being precluded from falling onto

the product receiver.

USA

Accession no.582649

Item 150

Plastics and Rubber Weekly No.1625, 1st March 1996, p.20

AUTOMATION IN THE UK

Smith C

Traditionally, UK industry has had a lower rate of

investment in automation, largely fuelled by the belief

that low labour rates will keep UK injection moulders

competitive with the higher labour cost manufacturing

nations. However, automation is not just about labour

costs. An automated production line can maintain a more

repeatable, and often higher, level of quality. Sandretto

believes that UK moulders use a level of automation

appropriate to the task in most instances. Semi-automationis already very well established in the industry.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.582285

Item 151


Jan/Feb.1996, p.14

AUTOMATED HYDRAULIC CLAMPS SPEED UP

DIE CHANGES

It is reported that by reducing non-productive man hours,

automated hydraulic clamps on injection mouldingmachines can boost productivity and improve figures on





a company’s bottom line. The use of Applied Power

Australia, Enerpac Division’s automated hydraulic clamps

is discussed, as is the company’s swing clamp cylinder.

APPLIED POWER AUSTRALIA,ENERPAC DIV.AUSTRALIA

Accession no.581392

Item 152


IMPROVED PIVOTING WORKPIECE

REMOVAL DEVICE

Di Simone J


A high speed, automatic device for removal of moulded

plastic articles from a multi-cavity injection mould is

disclosed. A method of minimising moulding machine

cycle time is also disclosed.

CANADA Accession no.580420

Item 153

148th ACS Rubber Division Meeting. Fall 1995.

Conference Preprints.

Cleveland, Oh., 17th-20th Oct.1995, Paper 40, pp.9. 012

AUTOMATION POSSIBILITIES OF MODERN

RUBBER INJECTION PRESSES WITH

COMPUTER CONTROL

Katzer M

Maplan Deutschland GmbH

(ACS,Rubber Div.)The automation of rubber injection moulding machines

is discussed, and examples are presented to illustrate the

possibilities for partial and complete automation of

injection moulding processes.


USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.580226

Item 154

Antec 95. Volume III. Conference proceedings.

Boston, Ma., 7th-11th May 1995, p.4263-6. 012

AUTOMATED INJECTION MOULDING PARTHANDLING: CASE STUDY

Corvino M J

Lowell,Massachusetts University

(SPE)

Robotics are widely used in the plastics industry in order

to modernise equipment and improve production

efficiency. However, guidelines for the set-up,

implementation and operation of robots for the process

engineer are difficult to find. An outline is presented of

the procedures needed and difficulties encountered for

an automated injection moulded part removal and hot

stamping application. 3 refs.USA

Accession no.577967

Item 155

Injection Molding

3, No.11, Nov.1995, p.81-2

KEEPING THINGS MOVING... WITH AUTOMATION

Gurr A

It is reported that when Engineered Plastic Products

moved into its new plant, it invested in automation to bring a basic plant setup to a new level. The 80,000 sq.ft

facility is set up with three horseshoe conveyor

configurations that keep parts moving rapidly from 16

moulding machines to manned finishing stations. Two of

the configurations transport parts in a clockwise rotation

from five and six moulding machines, the third moves

parts counterclockwise from five machines. Details of the

machinery installed are presented.

ENGINEERED PLASTIC PRODUCTS INC.USA

Accession no.573488

Item 156

Injection Molding

3, No.11, Nov.1995, p.62/6

AESTHETICS PLUS AUTOMATION EQUALS

U.S. SUCCESS

Maniscalco M

Some company information is presented on US injection

moulder US Acrylic, a Northbrook, Illinois-based moulder

specialising in high-end acrylic housewares. Its success

story is said to show that North American moulders

investing in automation and equipment find that they can

neutralise the offshore labour cost differential and compete more effectively in a global marketplace.

USA

Accession no.573484

Item 157

Asian Plastics News

Jan/Feb.1995, p.14-5

MOULDING PLANTS THAT RUN THEMSELVES

Beevers A

The trend towards unmanned or reduced levels of staffing,

and highly automated moulding plants in Japan is

examined, with particular reference to the operations of two companies: Yushin Precision Equipment, a

manufacturer of robots, and Meisei, which produces

integrated ancillary systems for injection moulding

machines. The trend is claimed to have been the result of

high labour costs and a shortage of skilled workers,

especially to cover night shifts. The resulting high levels

of automation and long periods of unmanned production

reduces the costs of heating, air conditioning, and lighting

required. Further advantages and examples of the

efficiency of the methods, are described.

YUSHIN PRECISION EQUIPMENT; MEISEI

KINZOKU KOGYOSHO CO.LTD.JAPAN

Accession no.572280

Item 158

Plastics World





developed an automated system for shrink wrapping long

products such as window profiles, pipes, guttering and

electrical trunking.

WORLD

Accession no.558037

Item 164


June 1995, p.27

FEEDING SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATED

MOULDING

Operational details and design characteristics are

described for the 3WF feeding system for automated

moulding developed by Meisei Kinzoku Kogyo. The

automated systems comprise a materials feeding centre

and a pneumatic system for transporting and storing

products. Runners are separated and granulated to give

recycled resin which is mixed with virgin resin and automatically fed to the injection moulding machine’s

hopper. Further operating features are described.

MEISEI KINZOKU KOGYOSHO CO.LTD.

JAPAN

Accession no.554411

Item 165


22, No.7, July/Aug.1995, p.24-5

JAPAN’S APPROACH TO UNMANNED PLANTS

Beevers ASoaring labour costs are forcing Japanese plastics

processors to seek increasingly high levels of

automation. Robot manufacturer, Yushin Precision

Equipment, has built a demonstration plant to mould a

range of products including margarine tubs and

toothbrush cases. This fully automated plant is only

manned during daytime hours on weekdays by just five

people. During weekends and at night, the factory is

completely unmanned and operates fully automatically.

Meisei’s unmanned moulding plant is very different from

those developed by Yushin. The factory relies on

established ancillary equipment, but integrates theoperation of these items to allow fully automated

operation. The plant runs 24 hours a day, seven days a

week producing small, high-precision parts such as

connectors.

YUSHIN PRECISION EQUIPMENT CO.LTD.;

MEISEI KINZOKU KOGYOSHO CO.LTD.JAPAN

Accession no.554212

Item 166


22, No.7, July/Aug.1995, p.22-3ROBOTS TAKE OVER

Smith A

The two main areas of current development in moulding

automation are the application of robots to complex

downstream operations within the cycle time of the

machine and the design of ultra-rapid take-out devices.

Thermos decided to automate its assembly of cool boxes,

resulting in a 25% increase in production rate. ATM

robots assemble the inner liner, the EPS moulded insulation core and the outer case. State-of-the-art servo

drive and motor technology is being incorporated in two

new CNC seven-axis robot systems being made by

Pressflow for McKechnie Automotive. These will

incorporate Pressflow’s new detachable controllers.

Engel has given particular attention to developing high-

speed take-out equipment incorporating AC servo motor

drives and can offer units capable of removing parts in

less than one second within an overall cycle time of four

seconds.

ATM AUTOMATION LTD.; PRESSFLOW LTD.;

ENGEL GMBHWESTERN EUROPE-GENERAL; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.554211

Item 167

World Class Injection Moulding. Retec proceedings.

Charlotte, NC, 25th-27th Sept.1994, p.187-99. 831

T-190 SLINGSHOT - THE BIRTH OF A UNIQUE

NEW ROBOT TECHNOLOGY

Carson D

CBW Automation

(SPE,Carolinas Section; SPE,Injection Molding Div.)

The development of the T-190 parts removal robot -

claimed to be the fastest designed in the world - is

described. Compared to a conventional robot, this concept

claims to normally save at least 1.5 seconds of overall

cycle time due to its speed and simplicity. Details are

given.

COLORADO,STATE UNIVERSITYUSA

Accession no.553623

Item 168

Plastics and Rubber Weekly No.1588, 2nd June 1995, p.12

CAP AUTOMATION PAYS FOR GEKA

A cap moulding system has been developed for a

cosmetics company to produce a range of PP caps. Details

are given of the installation by Geka Manufacturing of

an automated 16 cavity Engel manufacturing cell to

produce the products. The cell is built round a 65 tonne

ES330/65HL tiebarless moulding machine fitted with an

EC88 controller and an ERC23/IC high speed robot which

provides 2m/s speed on all three axes.

GEKA MANUFACTURING


Accession no.552223





Item 169

Plastics News(USA)

7, No.7, 17th April 1995, p.19

LIGHTS OUT A REALITY AT AUTOMATED

PLASTICS

Shinn R

Operations at Automated Plastics are described. The

company runs with just three employees and operates

seven injection moulding presses with automation levels

at the factory allowing the machines to operate day and

night without supervision.

AUTOMATED PLASTICS INC.USA

Accession no.551245

Item 170


APPARATUS AND TRANSPORTING UNIT FOR CONVEYING INJECTION-MOULDED

ARTICLES AWAY FROM AN INJECTION

MOULDING MACHINE

Hehl K

A transporting apparatus for moving away injection-

moulded articles from an injection moulding machine

includes pallets; a charging station for loading the pallets;

transporting pallets each individually supporting at least

one pallet and coupled thereto for forming a transporting

unit; a pallet tower for storing a number of pallets; an

elevator for receiving empty pallets from the pallet tower

and loaded pallets from the charging station; a conveyor for moving the transporting pallets between the elevator

and the charging station and for transferring loaded pallets

from the charging station to the elevator; and a positioning

arrangement.


WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.550423

Item 171

Thermosets for the 21st Century. Retec Proceedings.

Rosemont, Il., 16th-18th March 1994, paper 9. 012

DEFLASHING AND THE CELL COMPOSITEBahmueller M W

Hull/Finmac

It is reported that deflashing has been an inherent

operation since the start of the thermoset industry, required

in order to deliver finished moulded parts to the market

place. In order to reduce breakage and increase

productivity, new types of deflashing equipment have

been designed. The CELL concept, which was preceded

by the reduction of multiple handling of parts, while the

required operations of gate and flash removal as well as

parts inspection were still performed, is described. The

basic CELL is comprised of one or more moulding presses producing various parts, a deflashing machine and some

form of parts inspection. Details are given.

SPE,CHICAGO SECTION; SPE,THERMOSET DIV.USA

Accession no.550286

Item 172


PICKING APPARATUS, PREFERABLY FOR AN

INJECTION MOULDING MACHINE

Thorsson S-G; Carlsson O; Lidstrom J-I

Gislaved Industriservice AB

A picking apparatus for an injection moulding machine

with two movable tool tables includes a cylindrical guide

portion fixedly connected to the one tool table with a

helical groove, as a cam device, and a sleeve displaceable

along and rotary about the guide portion, the sleeve having

a cam follower member engaging in the cam groove. The

sleeve is rotary but axially fixedly connected to the second

table. A picking arm is disposed on a carrier portion which,

via guides, is displaceable parallel with the axial direction

of the sleeve. A cylinder unit is provided for displacement

of the carrier portion relative to the sleeve, whereby the

picking arm, partly under the action of the groove and

the cam follower member, is pivotal in between the tool

tables on opening thereof, and is pivotal out therefrom

on closure, and partly displaceable under the action of

the cylinder unit in the longitudinal direction of the guide

portion.

SCANDINAVIA; SWEDEN; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.548786

Item 173


QUICK CHANGE SYSTEM FOR MOULD BASES

Martin R G

Master Unit Die Products Inc.

A quick change system for standard mould bases in a

moulding machine is described, in which each half of a

mould base has a support plate attached to the back

surface. An adapter frame is mounted on the face of each

platen of the press. Each adapter frame has a U-shaped

guide channel for receiving a support plate and supported

mould base half. A T-shaped guide roller is positioned oneach side of the U-shaped guide channel to facilitate entry

of a support plate into the guide channels. Apertures are

provided in each adapter frame plate for fasteners for

attaching the adapter frame plates to the platens. A

knockout rod assembly is provided for ejecting the

finished mould part from the mould base.

USA

Accession no.548493

Item 174

Plastics Technology

41, No.2, Feb.1995, p.54/63PORTABLE ANALISERS FIND WHAT AILS

YOUR PROCESS





IS AUTOMATION THE ANSWER?

Ornellas T

The Meisei system of automation is claimed to offer the

small to medium sized moulder automation either

completely or in stages to reduce labour costs. The system

encompasses mould design and operation. Details are

described of a typical system used to automate an injection

moulding operation.

MEISI KINZOKU KOGYOSHO CO.LTD.JAPAN

Accession no.539775

Item 181


ROBOT

Kimura A; Nakamachi K; Saito A; Inoue T; Tominaga M

Sony Corp.

A robot for ejecting an object mounted to a movable bodyfrom the movable body comprises a holding means for

holding the object mounted on the movable body and a

moving means for ejecting the object from the movable body

by movement of the holding means. The moving means

includes a first guide means meshing with the holding means

for linearly moving the holding means in a first direction by

rotation with respect to the action of the movable body and

a second guide means for rotating the holding means in a

second direction along with the rotation of the guide means

directed in the first direction. The first guide means may be

composed of a ball screw, the holding means has a nut and

the ball screw meshes with the nut. The second guide means

may be composed of a cam and a cam follower meshing

with the cam. Additionally, the movable body may be

composed of a movable die of a moulding machine.

JAPAN

Accession no.537335

Item 182

Plastverarbeiter

45, No.9, Sept.1994, p.32/4

German

NEW ROBOT SERIES: HIGH SPEED, LOW

COST

Engel has developed the new robot series ERC which is

matched to both small high-speed injection moulding

machines (up to Type ES 500). The modular concept of

the mechanical elements in conjunction with an improved

control system and innovative digital servo drives now

permits individually optimised configurations to be

created with which a wide range of applications can be

covered. Thanks to the use of new production

technologies, it has also been possible to reduce the

manufacturing costs whilst at the same time considerably

increasing the performance characteristics of the robots.

ENGEL MASCHINENBAU GMBHAUSTRIA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.532900

Item 183


INDUSTRIAL ROBOT FOR REMOVING A

MOULDING FROM A CAVITY OF A MOULDING

MACHINE

Kimura A; Saito A

Sony Corp.

The robot comprises an arm mechanism having a holding

head for holding the moulding, an arm operation means

capable of operating the arm mechanism so that the

holding head of the arm mechanism moves at a

comparatively high composite speed equal to the sum of

the respective speeds of at least two moving members in

both a first direction and a second direction different from

the first direction.

JAPAN

Accession no.529591

Item 184

Antec ’93. Conference Proceedings.

New Orleans, La., 9th-13th May 1993, Vol.III, p.3183-

9. 012

FASTER CYCLING COMPACT DISC

INJECTION MOULD DESIGNED WITH

INTEGRATED PART REMOVAL AUTOMATION

Galic G; Maus S

Galic Maus Ventures

(SPE)

A technique for the removal of compact discs from injection

moulds is described. The discs are transferred out of themould with short-stroke low mass motions of a pair of

mechanical guides which can grip and then release the edge

of the disc, when acting in coordination with moveable

mould members having undercuts for moulded-on retention

of the inner portion of the disc and/or sprue. The disc is

stripped off the moulding surfaces and can be oriented in a

second vertical plane to freely drop out of an aperture in

the mould to exit through a discharge chute. 3 refs.

USA

Accession no.528877

Item 185


STRIPPING STATION FOR STRIPPING

HOLLOW PLASTIC ARTICLES FROM A

HOLDING MEANS

Kresak P F


The station includes a nest for receiving neck portions of

the articles and a cutout bar for admitting, trapping and

ejecting the articles in the nest, the cutout bar being slidably

mounted to the nest and displaceable between the admitting

position, trapping position and ejecting position.

CANADA

Accession no.517052





Item 186


No.1537, 27th May 1994, p.21

NEW FIELD BUS SYSTEM HALVES

INSTALLATION TIME

This article describes the Motan materials distribution

system incorporated in the Otto molding plant at

Neuruppin, Germany. The entire Motan installation is

controlled by a Siemens Simatic PLC and all units are

linked with the central control unit via a field bus system

instead of individual circuits. A division of Otto began

production of refuse bins in plastics in the mid 1960s and

refuse collection and disposal still forms the largest part

of its activities. The company’s plastics moulding activity

has been widened to include boxes and containers for the

automotive and food industries, and technical parts for

the automotive and domestic appliance markets.

OTTO GMBHEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; GERMANY; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.513423

Item 187


No.3, March 1994, p.102-8

Italian

CHANGES IN THE MOULD INDUSTRY

Baucia G

A survey is made of mould making materials and

techniques, hot runner moulds and mould cleaning and

mould changing systems featured by a number of companies at the 9th Fakuma exhibition in

Friedrichshafen, Germany. Developments in ancillary

equipment for injection moulding, granulators and

industrial robots are also reviewed.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; GERMANY; WESTERN EUROPE;

WESTERN EUROPE-GENERAL

Accession no.513247

Item 188

Nordic Rubber Conference 1993. Conference

proceedings.

Helsingor, 13th-14th May 1993, p.72-90. 012INTEGRATION OF MODERN RUBBER

INJECTION MACHINES INTO OVERRULING

CONTROL STRUCTURES SUCH AS PROCESS

CONTROL BY PROFIBUS

Schumacher P

Kloeckner Ferromatik Desma GmbH

(Danish Society of Rubber Technology; Nordic Council

of Rubber Technology)

Developments in the automation of rubber injection

moulding machines are discussed with reference to

automation of individual machines, integration into

production islands, manufacturer-specific systemsolutions, and system solutions which are independent of

the manufacturer. The integration of machines into process

control loops is described, together with overall

(communicating) control systems such as the PROFIBUS

system.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; GERMANY; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.512970

Item 189

Plastverarbeiter

45, No.4, April 1994, p.78/82

German

LINKING OF INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTION

PROCESSES DURING INJECTION MOULDING

Block J

An important aspect of the automation of production

processes, from raw material up to finished injection

mouldings ready for shipment, is the logistic planning

and efficient combination of handling and transport

technologies. This subject is discussed, with particular reference to the major role played by transport pallets.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; GERMANY; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.512956

Item 190


Vol.84, March 1994, p.13-6

SINGLE SOURCE SOLUTION: FLEXIBLE

AUTOMATED INJECTION MOULDING CELL

The use is discussed of an automated production cell for

injection moulding three colour rear lights for cars as

employed by Yorka, a Spanish company who mainly used

conventional three-colour injection moulding machines

with vertical clamping units. Apart from the high level of

capital investment associated with this latter kind of

design, other disadvantages include a lack of flexibility

on change of product. The company chose an integrated

automation and software system from Mannesmann

Demag which offers the possibility of operating each of

the two injection moulding machines in the production

cell individually, thereby permitting flexible, cost effective

manufacture of quality products.

YORKA SA; MANNESMANN DEMAG

KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK AGEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; GERMANY; SPAIN; WESTERN

EUROPE

Accession no.512210

Item 191


50, No.2, Feb.1994, p.14-8

AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT

Wigotsky V

The article supplies a comprehensive assessment of the

advances in auxiliary equipment in line with thedevelopment in primary moulding and extrusion

machinery. The article highlights the improvements being





made in design, maintenance, simplicity, modularity and

control equipment and describes specific equipment

currently on the market.

PROCESS CONTROL CORP.; K-TRON NORTH

AMERICA; THERMAL CARE; UNA-DYN INC.

USA

Accession no.511219

Item 192


March 1994, p.15

IN-MOULD LABELLING - STILL AN

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Advantages of and equipment for in-mould labelling of

packaging containers is discussed. Advantages include a

reduction in downstream printing and labelling operations

and the enhanced visual impact of a high quality label as

an integral part of the container surface. Disadvantagesinclude extended production cycles, and the need for

additional high performance handling equipment.

EUROPE-GENERAL

Accession no.509184

Item 193


45, No.10, Dec.1993, p.51-2

French

ORGANISING PRODUCTION

Desfilhes PAutomation systems used by Nobel Plastiques of France

in the manufacture of extruded automotive hose and

injection moulded automotive components are described.

NOBEL PLASTIQUES; SILVATRIM

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; FRANCE; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.502600

Item 194


45, No.10, Dec.1993, p.45-9

FrenchROBOTS: THE IRON ARM OF THE WORKSHOP

Desfilhes P

A survey is made of developments by a number of

companies in industrial robots for use in plastics injection

moulding operations.

WITTMANN ROBOT SYSTEMS; ALBORA;

BATTENFELD GMBH; SEPRO ROBOTIQUE;

CONAIR INC.; HARMO ROBOTS LTD.; HUSKY

INJECTION MOULDING SYSTEMS LTD.;

CHAVERIAT SA; PIOVAN SPA; PIOVAN + STAR

AUTOMATION; STAR SEIKI CO.LTD.; HEKUMA;

CONAIR CHURCHILL LTD.; MARTIPLAST;SYTRAMA; APEX CORP.; PLASTINSERT; GEIGER

TECHNIK GMBH

CANADA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; FRANCE; GERMANY;

ITALY; JAPAN; SWITZERLAND; UK; USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.502599

Item 195


45, No.10, Dec.1993, p.40-3French

AUTOMATION OF MOULD CHANGING

Desfilhes P

Some developments in automatic and semi-automatic

mould changing systems are reviewed.

STAUBLI; HYDRAUMECA; ENERPAC; WOKU;

BATTENFELD FRANCE SARLEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; FRANCE; GERMANY; WESTERN

EUROPE

Accession no.502598

Item 196

Revue Generale des Caoutchoucs et Plastiques

70, No.728, Dec.1993, p.52-3

French

AUTOMATION: A FACTOR IN PRODUCTIVITY

Leuzinger H H

Netstal Maschinen AG

Automation systems developed by Netstal for its injection

moulding machines are described.

NEYR PLASTIQUESEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; FRANCE; SWITZERLAND;

WESTERN EUROPE Accession no.502588

Item 197

Plastics News(USA)

5, No.38, 15th Nov.1993, p.31

HUSKY BUILDING ROBOTICS FACILITY IN

ONTARIO

Lauzon M

Husky Injection Molding Systems is reported to be

building a robotics facility at its Bolton, Ontario

headquarters. The company has also revealed the identity

of several of its supplier partners for the manufacturing

centre and presented its first environmental award with a

75,000 US dollars prize. Details are given.

HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.;

BERG CHILLING SYSTEMS INC.; MANNESMANN

DEMAG FORDERTECHNIK AG; SYSCON-

PLANTSTAR; ONTARIO HYDRO RESEARCH

DIVISION; IN-STORE PRODUCTS INC.CANADA; USA

Accession no.499522

Item 198 Plastics News(USA)

5, No.40, 29th Nov. 1993, p.5





of quality planning, process-characteristic fields, process

tolerances, and analytical descriptions of characteristic

fields. 8 refs. (Translation of Kunststoffe,82, No.3,1992,

p.175-9).

GERMANY

Accession no.454357

Item 224

Plastiques Flash

27,Nos.247/8,Dec.1991/Jan.1992,p.34-6

French

AUTOMATION OF AN INTEGRATED

MOULDER

An examination is made of the activities of Jaeger France,

part of the Italian Magneti Marelli group, in the injection

moulding of dashboard components in ABS, PMMA,

nylon 66, polycarbonate and polyacetal. Details are given

of automation systems used by the company, with particular reference to Albora industrial robots. Some

company information is presented.

ALBORA; JAEGER FRANCE; MAGNETI MARELLIEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; FRANCE; ITALY; WESTERN

EUROPE

Accession no.454270

Item 225


No.1431,18th April 1992,p.9-10

TREND TO CNC ROBOT CELLULAR

MOULDING IN FRANCESmith A

A growing trend in France to operate moulding cells with

CNC robots running on gantries above a large space

envelope, as distinct from being attached to the machines

themselves, is said to be apparent at leading French robot

manufacturer Sepro and two moulders in the Nantes

region. Details are given.

COMPAGNIE DES PLASTIQUES INDUSTRIELS

DE L’OUEST; DRAFTEX INDUSTRIE; LAIRD

GROUP PLC; SEPRO ROBOTIQUE UK; SEPRO SAEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; FRANCE; UK; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.447386

Item 226

Macplas

16,No.134,Dec.1991,p.95-6

Italian

ROLE OF AUTOMATION

Details are given of the Sistema PET automation system

developed by Sytrama for use in the injection moulding

of PETP bottle preforms.

SYTRAMA

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; ITALY; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.447260

Item 227

International Reinforced Plastics Industry

9,No.6,Sept/Oct.1991,p.7

DIE CHANGING SYSTEMS TO REDUCE COST

Venture Pressings Ltd. of Telford has recently installed a

rapid die changing system in their metal automotive plant,

which utilises either rail-mounted trolleys or battery-

operated carts. The die-changing operation is controlled

through a computer VDU, which automatically resets the

press for the particular die being used. Herwo Die

Changing AB, who installed the Domino push-pull die

changing system at the plant, believes that such a system

would benefit the SMC/BMC compounds moulding

industry.

HERWO DIE CHANGING AB; VENTURE

PRESSINGS LTD.EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; SCANDINAVIA; SWEDEN; UK;

WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.447061

Item 228


No.1429,4th April 1992,p.14

STORK L MACHINES FOR MCKECHNIE

Two Pressflow CNC seven-axis robots are reported to

have been installed at the Pickering, Yorkshire-based

factory of McKechnie Vehicle Components Division to

two Stork ST 550 tonne L configuration injection

moulding machines. This is part of a 750,000 pounds

sterling investment programme carried out by the Divisionto enhance its competitiveness, particularly against

Continental companies; details are given.

MCKECHNIE PLC; PRESSFLOW LTD.; STORK

PLASTICS PROCESSING MACHINERY LTD.EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; UK; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.445441

Item 229

Plastics and Rubber Today

Jan/Feb.1992,p.12

ANCILLARIES TODAY

Smith J LCONAIR CHURCHILL LTD.

The use of ancillary equipment is reported to play an ever-

increasing role in improving the efficiency and

profitability of a plastics injection moulding operation.

From a small mould temperature control unit through to

a full bulk materials storage and central vacuum

conveying system, ancillary equipment assists in reducing

raw material costs and wastage, labour costs, improving

quality and precision control and materials usage

monitoring. An outline of ancillary equipment is

presented.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; UK; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.443396





Item 230

Plastiques Flash

No.244,Aug/Sept.1991,p.98-9

French

NEW BOUNCE FOR SER ROBOPLAST

An examination is made of the activities of Societe

Europeenne de Robotique (SER Roboplast) of France inthe manufacture of industrial robots for the plastics injection

moulding industry. The company was formed at the end of

1990 following the integration of Roboplast SA into the

Laroche Group, which also includes Laroche SA (precision

engineering and tooling), Diconex (electrical connectors),

and Videmo (injection moulded and thermoformed plastics

cases for video cassettes) . Turnover figures and numbers

of employees are given for the four group companies.

DICONEX; GROUPE LAROCHE; LAROCHE SA;

NUM; ROBOPLAST SA; SANYO KASEI CO.; SER

ROBOPLAST; SOCIETE EUROPEENNE DE

ROBOTIQUE; VIDEMOEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; FRANCE; JAPAN; WESTERN

EUROPE

Accession no.440662

Item 231


No.2,Feb.1991,p.80-2

Italian

DICTATORSHIP BY ROBOTS

Following a general review of the use of industrial robots

in the plastics processing industry, details are given of

industrial robots and compact injection mouldingmachines featured at the JP 90 International Plastics

Exhibition held in Tokyo in November 1990.

HARON; MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD.;

NIGATA; NISSEI CO.; SAILOR PEN CO.LTD.; STAR

SEIKI CO.LTD.; SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES

LTD.; TOSHIBA MACHINE CO.LTD.; UBE

INDUSTRIES LTD.; YUSHIN PRECISION

EQUIPMENT CO.LTD.JAPAN

Accession no.437610

Item 232 Kunststoffe German Plastics

81,No.10,Oct.1991,p.31-5

BLOW MOULDING PRODUCTION LINE

Ast W

REGENSBURG,FACHHOCHSCHULE

The important considerations in introducing automated

production lines are discussed for a variety of operating

concepts up to full integration. Examples of automation

in the production of injection moulding packaging

closures and accessories for fuel tanks are given.

Production lines for screen washer tanks, refuse bins,

packaging containers and drums are outlined. 24 refs.GERMANY

Accession no.436499

Item 233

Plastverarbeiter

42,No.8,Aug.1991,p.50-2

German

ROBOTIC SYSTEMS: POSITIONING

FUNCTIONS NO LONGER A BALANCING ACT

Schafer J

The plastics processing industry makes extremely high

demands on automatic handling equipment. The constant

problems of achieving even better efficiency and even

greater positioning accuracy are accompanied by the

equally essential problem of keeping down costs.

Additionally, injection moulding machines have a cycle

time of 15 to 20 seconds. The use of highly dynamic drives

in such applications would be inordinately costly. A range

of frequency converters has been developed for use with

robotic systems providing a real time signal processing

mode, programmable function linkage, externally

selectable data sets and self adjusting stabilisers for indexing and drives.

GERMANY

Accession no.435558

Item 234

Plastverarbeiter

42,No.8,Aug.1991,p.46-7

German

HIGHLY AUTOMATED INJECTION MOULDING

OF COOL BOXES

Coleman, manufacturer of leisure articles and campingaccessories, bases its production of over 4000 different

products on three plastics processes: PU, blow moulding

and injection moulding. Automated production of cool

boxes is discussed.

COLEMEN GMBHGERMANY

Accession no.435549

Item 235

Kunststoffe German Plastics

81,No.9,Sept.1991,p.20-2

ROBOT LINKED INJECTION MOULDING ANDASSEMBLY OPERATIONS

Kroth E

MASCHINENFABRIK REIS GMBH & CO.

A production cell used for manufacturing a plastics

brake fluid reservoir for the automobile industry is

described. Tasks carried out by the cell include feeding

inserts to the injection moulding machine, removal of

part, cooling of part, sprue removal, pressing an insert

into place, placing the moulding in a welding machine,

checking quality, conveying good parts, and disposal

of rejects.

GERMANY

Accession no.435512





Item 236


81,No.9,Sept.1991,p.18-20

STANDARD GRIPPERS FOR AUTOMATED

ASSEMBLY

Knapp A;Schmitz U

DARMSTADT,TECHNISCHEN HOCHSCHULE

Assistance is given in the selection of the central element

of a robot handling unit, the gripper, for the automated

assembly of injection moulded components. The gripper

is responsible for transmitting the force between the

handling unit and the workpiece for position and

orientation. Design and construction of mechanical and

vacuum grippers is discussed. 8 refs.

GERMANY

Accession no.435511

Item 237


No.1406,12th Oct.1991,p.13

TOWERING STATISTICS FOR VIDEO

CASSETTE PRODUCTION

Smith A

The Sears Tower in Chicago, 1454ft. high, is claimed to

be the World’s tallest occupied building; in the suburb of

Northbrook, the automated injection moulding plant of

Tandy Rank produces a stack of VHS video cassettes as

high as this skyscraper every three hours. Details are

given.

USA

Accession no.433638

Item 238

Plastics Injection Moulding in the 1990s.Conference

Proceedings.

Birmingham,15th-16th Nov.1990,Paper 12. 831

OPTIMISATION OF THE MOULDING

PROCESS: FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

BETWEEN THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION AND

THE PRODUCT

Valsecchi F

MIR SPA(Rapra Technology Ltd.)

An overview is presented of the extent of automation

equipment for mould or barrel changing and systems for

centralised production management and quality control

which is necessary in injection moulding. A practical

balance relative to the company’s needs is stressed.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; ITALY; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.431782

Item 239

Plastics Injection Moulding in the 1990s.ConferenceProceedings.


NO MAN OPERATION AND THE REDUCTION

OF MAN POWER

Whittaker F

TEKMATEX MARUBENI LTD.

(Rapra Technology Ltd.)

The ‘No Man’ system for automatically controlling the

company’s F series of injection moulding machines is

described. The package consists of startup/shutdown

controls which allow for manual, automatic or restart

procedures. A new dynamic barrier screw is employed to

provide high kneading and plasticising action and the

ability to monitor features of the screw operation. Start

up conditions are stored on the IJECTVISOR central

processor.


Accession no.431772

Item 240


Proceedings.


HIGHEST PRODUCTIVITY WITH BEST

QUALITY

Canovi P N

SANDRETTO SPA


Improved productivity is illustrated by a case history for

the in-house moulding of fluorescent lamp holders

employing the latest state of the art equipment, including

automated materials handling, dehumidifying dryers,injection moulding machines with advanced process control

and statistical process control, automatic mould changers,

robotic handling equipment and in-line quality control. The

reason for the appearance of high reject rates is given.


Accession no.431771

Item 241


Proceedings.


MODULAR MACHINE CONSTRUCTION ANDAUTOMATION

Hind J;Manser P

BATTENFELD UK LTD.


An outline of the major trends of automation in injection

moulding is given including just-in-time, quality control,

traceability, flexible production, production cells and man-

less production.


Accession no.431770

Item 242






No.1405,5th Oct.1991,p.20

AUTOMATIC PRODUCTION WITH

TEAMLEADER GANTRY ROBOT

A Teamleader electrical gantry CNC robot manufactured

by Controlled Automation Technology of Telford is

reported to have been integrated with a Cincinnati

Milacron Vista VT 200 injection moulding machine at

Holloid Plastics for the automatic production of eight

different components. Details are given.

CINCINNATI MILACRON INC.; CONTROLLED

AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY; HOLLOID

PLASTICSEUROPEAN COMMUNITY; UK; USA; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.431674

Item 243


Proceedings.Birmingham,15th-16th Nov.1990,Paper 19. 831

PRACTICAL AUTOMATION OF STATISTICAL

PROCESS CONTROL FOR INJECTION

MOULDING

Windsor-Shaw T C

MANNESMANN DEMAG HAMILTON LTD.


The subject matter is discussed under the headings of:

objectives for automating SPC; implementation of

automated SPC; and artificial intelligence techniques. 13

refs.


Accession no.431648

Item 244

International Polymer Science and Technology

17,No.12,1990,p.T/35-54

STATE OF THE ART IN AUTOMATION OF

THERMOPLASTICS INJECTION MOULDING

MACHINES

Zeman L;Neuhausl E;Pavlicek J;Linhart J

(Full translation of Plasty a Kaucuk,27,No.2,1990,p.45)

CZECHOSLOVAKIA; EASTERN EUROPE Accession no.430609

Item 245

Plastics Southern Africa

20,No.11,May 1991,p.22/50

STEP BY STEP TO COMPLETE AUTOMATION

Merki B

NETSTAL-MACHINERY LTD.

Automated moulding plants utilising Netstal injection

moulding machines are discussed and selection factors

are stressed.


Accession no.430607

Item 246

Plastics Processing-Recent Developments.Conference

Proceedings.

Hong Kong,24th June 1991,Paper 3. 8

AUTOMATION OF INJECTION MOULDING

PLANT

Pau K PCHEN HSONG HOLDINGS LTD.

(Hong Kong Plastics Technology Centre Co.)

The categories of moulding shop automation which are

discussed are: loading and unloading moulds; plastic

materials supply; setting of processing parameters;

process automation; post processing automation (quality

control and packing).

HONG KONG

Accession no.429740

Item 247

Canadian Plastics

49,No.3,April 1991,p.17/20

AFFORDABLE AUTOMATION FOR THE

CUSTOM MOULDER

Mason E

Methods available to custom injection moulders to

increase their automation capabilities at an affordable cost

are discussed and some control systems currently

available in Canada are briefly described.

CANADA

Accession no.427957

Item 248

Canadian Plastics

49,No.3,April 1991,p.22-3

MANUFACTURING CELLS SET FAST PACE

The approach taken by a Canadian injection moulding

company, Toronto Plastics, to automate its moulding plant

is briefly described. The company has installed

manufacturing cells centred around a Kawaguchi injection

moulding machine for producing automotive components

and is currently looking at a third, more complex cell with

microprocessor controls and quick mould changefunctions.

TORONTO PLASTICS LTD.CANADA

Accession no.427956

Item 249

Antec 90.Plastics in the Environment:Yesterday,Today

& Tomorrow.Conference Proceedings.

Dallas,Tx.,7th-11th May 1990,p.2014-6. 012

FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION FOR SMALL LOT

PRODUCTION

Meckley J AERIE,PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

(SPE)





Brief details are given of the use of automation to run a

flexible injection moulding cell for small lot production.

Emphasis is given to the use of standard mechanical and

electrical interfaces with adequate documentation.

USA

Accession no.427470

Item 250


81,No.4,April 1991,p.24-6

IS THE USE OF FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION

UNITS AN ECONOMIC PROPOSITION?

Henze H J

BATTENFELD AG

An analysis of the economic feasibility of an industrial

robot and a mould changing system is presented. It takes

into account costs of investment, energy, manufacturing

and supply, additional space, repair and maintenance,mould, logistics and labour. 2 refs.

GERMANY

Accession no.424592

Item 251


No.1391,29th June 1991,p.12

VIDEO CHECKING PETP PREFORMS

Eurodata of Milton Keynes is reported to have developed

an automatic 100% PETP preform inspection system

which is currently undergoing production trials at Able

Industries of Tenbury Wells. It is applied to a Husky

machine with a 32 cavity mould; details are given.

EURODATA LTD.EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; UK; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.424236

Item 252

Plastics Technology

37,No.5,May 1991,p.31/5

AUTOMATED MOULDING AND TESTING

FACILITIES AID RESIN QUALITY CONTROL

Gabriele M CThe use of automation and robots for testing by the

materials manufacturers is described. Hoechst is using

an automated moulding cell to produce test bars under

precisely reproduced conditions. The cell is to be linked

to an automated sample testing system. Bayer is

employing a similar set up.

HOECHST CELANESE CORP.USA

Accession no.423551

Item 253


No.1378,23rd March 1991,p.10/22

STEP BY STEP TO COMPLETE AUTOMATION

OF MOULDING

Merki B

NETSTAL MACHINERY LTD.

It is reported that process stability, accuracy,

reproducibility and reliability assume even more

importance in an automated moulding operation than

in a conventional plant, because by definition no

personnel are present to take corrective action. About

700 functions of the injection moulding machine are

therefore continuously monitored in an Automated

Moulding Plant operation; if anything is wrong, the

process is stopped.


Accession no.421590

Item 254

Plaspro 89.Conference Proceedings.London,7th-8th June 1989,Paper 11. 8

INTEGRATION OF PROCESSING MACHINES

AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT CONTROL

SYSTEMS

Thomas P

CONAIR CHURCHILL LTD.

(IBC Technical Service Ltd.;British Plastics & Rubber)

Computer integrated manufacturing is outlined which, in

this paper, incorporates processing machines,

dehumidifying dryers, hopper loaders, robotics,

temperature controllers, blenders, and granulators.


Accession no.420459

Item 255

Plastics Technology

37,No.4,April 1991,p.70

TURRENT ROBOT TURNS LEFT OR RIGHT

Fallon M

Huskey Injection Molding Systems is reported to have

introduced a new series of top-entry injection moulding

robots with a turret-style base, offering processors the

flexibility of removing parts to either side of the press.Brief details are presented.

HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS INC.

USA

Accession no.420428

Item 256

Plaspro 89.Conference Proceedings.

London,7th-8th June 1989,Paper 2. 8

PROCESS IMPROVEMENT WITHOUT

AUTOMATION?

Hamblin DCRANFIELD INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

(IBC Technical Service Ltd.; British Plastics & Rubber)





Item 263

Antec ’89.Conference Proceedings.

New York,1st-4th May 1989,p.224-7. 012

FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION IN INJECTION

MOULDING SHOPS - STATE OF THE ART AND

STRATEGY FOR INTRODUCTION

Von Eysmondt BINSTITUT FUER KUNSTSTOFFVERARBEITUNG

(SPE)

Using mould changing systems as an example, the extent

to which flexible automation has been introduced into

industrial practice to date is considered. The trends in

flexible automation that are emerging in the Federal

Republic of Germany are outlined. A method is described

for transforming a conventional injection moulding plant

into a flexible automated plant. 6 refs.

GERMANY

Accession no.409662

Item 264


Nov.1990,p.41/3

BE FLEXIBLE WHEN CONSIDERING MOULD

CHANGE AUTOMATION

Lowe A

STAUBLI UNIMATION

The increasing demand from manufacturing industry for

its components to be delivered as and when they are

required on the assembly line is said to have put extra

pressure on suppliers to be more flexible in their ownmanufacturing processes. Details are given.


Accession no.409588

Item 265

Plastverarbeiter

40,No.7,July 1989,p.16-8

German

AUTOMATION. TANDEM ROBOTS FOR

HORIZONTAL INJECTION MOULDING

MACHINES

Huler ABATTENFELD AUTOMATISIERUNGSTECHNIK

GMBH

A description is given of tandem robots which are systems

consisting of two robots having a common main axis.

Their use with injection moulding machines with clamp

forces below 1000kN and short cycle times is discussed

and advantages of these systems outlined.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; WEST GERMANY; WESTERN

EUROPE

Accession no.408896

Item 266

NPE’88.Vol.1.Conference Papers.

Chicago,20-24th June 1988,paper 10,pp.13. 012

EFFECTIVE INTERFACING OF PLASTIC

MOULDING MACHINERY AND ROBOTIC

EQUIPMENT

Hamilton G

APPLICATION AUTOMATION INC.

(SPI)

A detailed discussion is presented of the need for

standardisation of the interface between injection

moulding machines and automated part handling

equipment, e.g. robotic unloaders. It is shown that, by

defining all variables and assigning all pin locations and

logic, there is a greatly reduced chance of error andits

resultant problems.

USA

Accession no.405714

Item 267

Ausplas ’87-Plastics Towards 2000.Conference papers.

Melbourne,13-15th Oct.1987,Paper 16. 012

PLANT AUTOMATION INCLUDING ‘JUST IN

TIME’

Echardt H

(Plastics Institute of Australia)

The possible reasons for automation of the injection

moulding plant is discussed and the steps required for its

implementation are identified. Examples of automated

plant for particular products are included. The author

concludes that ‘there is no future for injection moulding

factories without automation’.EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; WEST GERMANY; WESTERN

EUROPE

Accession no.404611

Item 268

Plasty a Kaucuk

27,No.2,Feb.1990,p.45-64

Czech

STATE-OF-THE-ART IN AUTOMATION OF

THERMOPLASTICS INJECTION MOULDING

MACHINES

Zeman L;Neuhausl E;Pavlicek J;Linhart JSTATNI VYZKUMNY USTAV MATERIALU

Current trends in the automation of thermoplastics

injection moulding are described, focusing attention on

machinery and hydraulic and control systems. The state-

of-the-art in machinery is illustrated by machinery on

display at the K’86 exhibition in Dusseldorf. The present

state-of-the-art in Comecon countries and Czechoslovakia

is also outlined and future developments in machinery

are considered. Articles from this journal can be requested

for translation by subscribers to the Rapra produced

International Polymer Science and Technology.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA; EASTERN EUROPE

Accession no.404580





Item 269

Innovations in Plastics.Proceedings of an SPE RETEC.

Rochester,New York,15-17 Nov.87,paper N,p.1-16. 012

COMPUTER MOULDING TECHNOLOGY IN

INJECTION MOULDING

Fricke A

HUNKAR LABORATORIES INC.(SPE,Rochester Section;SPE,Injection Molding Div.)

The benefits that can be gained by providing existing

moulding machinery with state-of-the-art computer

technology are described and the way in which this

computer technology will improve and transform the

injection moulding process is discussed. Consideration is

given to closed-loop process control, process monitoring,

automatic part sorting, statistical process control, early

warning systems and production monitoring systems.

USA

Accession no.402822

Item 270


20,No.7,July 1990,p.15-6

‘FLYING’ ROBOTS KEY TO MOULDING

PROFITS

Evco Plastics, a custom moulder, has invested in a totally

automated injection moulding plant employing a just-in-

time operation centred on the installation of a laser guided

overhead crane for quick mould changing. Further details

are provided in the article.

EVCO PLASTICSUSA

Accession no.401885

Item 271

Plastics Technology

35,No.12,Nov.1989,p.15-9

‘TANDEM’ ROBOTS TEAM UP FOR COMPLEX

AUTOMATION JOBS

Battenfeld are proposing tandem robot systems for part

removal and follow-up operations with injection moulding

machines. Tandem robot systems are two robots sharinga common main axis. Small machine applications are

appropriate because tandem systems are most effective

when cycle times are short. In these cases a single robot

cannot keep pace with part removal and other peripheral

functions, including weighing, measuring, finishing and

packing. The article continues with examples of various

tandem robot systems.

BATTENFELD CORP.OF AMERICAUSA

Accession no.399509

Item 272World Plastics & Rubber Technology

1990,p.163-4

ROBOTS AT WORK

Moreau J L

SEPRO SA

The trend towards the use of robots for the automatic

unloading of horizontal plastics injection presses in Europe

and Japan is briefly discussed and the outlook for robots

with advances in processing technology is considered.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; FRANCE; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.398851

Item 273

Swiss Plastics

11,No.4,1989,p.37/44

German

AUTOMATION IN PLASTICS PRODUCTION

Meier M

ROBITRON AG

Automation in the manufacture, e.g. injection moulding,of plastics products is discussed with emphasis on clean

room conditions. Particular attention is paid to

developments in clean room manufacture of optic glasses,

compact discs and packaging applications.


Accession no.396816

Item 274


April 1990,p.21/4

ROBOTS SHOW HANDLING IS ABOUT MORE

THAN JUST MOVEMENT

Advances in robots for product handling announced by

several manufacturers are reported. The Battenfeld

Pressflow demoulding robot is used in the production of

Sony TV housings in integral skin PS. Husty’s pick and

place robot is for assembly operations. Robots for

Metalmeccanica injection moulding machines can be used

for insert placing, demoulding and palletising by the

machine. Robots from ATM Automation, Gosewehr,

Wittmann, Tria, Remak and Engel are mentioned.

WESTERN EUROPE-GENERAL; WESTERN EUROPE

Accession no.395994

Item 275

Macplas International

No.7,May 1989,p.35-8

MOULDING IN THE FUTURE

This comprehensive article reports some innovations

introduced by Italian manufacturers in order to improve

the automation level in injection moulding factories.

ITALY; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

Accession no.393785

Item 276

Plastics Technology

36,No.2,Feb.1990,p.17





NEW PARTS REMOVAL ROBOTS FEATURE

SPEED, RELIABILITY AND

PROGRAMMABILITY

Sterltech has developed parts removal robots for injection

moulding machines which feature dual vertical motion

and new microprocessor controls. The robots are designed

for speed, accuracy and programmable versatility.

STERLING INC.,STERLTECH DIV.USA

Accession no.393620

Item 277

Plastics Technology

36,No.2,Feb.1990,p.15

STRAW-HANDLING TECHNOLOGY MOVES

INTO THE NINETIES

Conair Gatto has developed an automatic drinking straw

handling system which is used at the end of a strawextension line and automatically moves straws to the next

phase of operation. In addition, the company has

redesigned its automated straw wrapper to allow

processors a choice of wrapping with film or paper.

CONAIR GATTOUSA

Accession no.393473

Item 278

SPI/SPE Plastics-West.Conference proceedings.

Las Vegas,20-22nd Oct.1987,p.3-5. 012

ROBOTICS IN THE PLASTIC INDUSTRYHealy J

APPLICATION AUTOMATION INC.

(SPI;SPE)

The use of robots in the injection moulding industry is

discussed with particular reference to power supply systems

for robots, manipulator arms and controllers. Basic criteria

for selection of the correct robot are considered and future

prospects for use of robots are examined.

USA

Accession no.392721

Item 279


20,No.2,Feb.1990,p.30-2

PROCESSING-LINE INTEGRATION CUTS

COSTS, IMPROVES PRODUCT QUALITY

Kreisher K R

This comprehensive article investigates the benefits of

integrating auxiliary equipment and injection units with

computer controls, Automated process set ups reduce time

needed to change from are production run to another and

ensure part consistency. Diagnostics enable operators to

identify the causes of variation in moulding.

USA

Accession no.392228

Item 280

Plastics World

47,No.11,Nov.1989,p.38-41

ROBOTS SAVE MORE THAN LABOUR

McCarthy L

The introduction of robots into American injection

moulding companies is increasing. The reason is not only

to save on labour costs, but to improve quality by

standardising cycle times. This is achieved by the time

saved in part removal from open moulds by operators,

which is ofter erratic. Robot sensors also indicate if sprue

is present in the mould before closing. The article

continues to describe robot types, tooling interfaces,

training, maintenance, programming and other aspects of

introduction.

USA

Accession no.390122

Item 281

Poliplasti e Plastici Rinforzati

37,No.378,May 1989,p.32-6

Italian

PLAN, BECOME FLEXIBLE, AUTOMATE

Bauer R

Injection moulding shop organisation is discussed with

respect to machinery, moulds (including mould changing),

self-contained production units (islands) and their

integration into an overall unit facilitating automation.

ENGEL MASCHINENBAU GMBH

SWITZERLAND

Accession no.385429

Item 282

Poliplasti e Plastici Rinforzati

37,No.277,April 1989,p.28-31

Italian

AUTOMATION, YES, BUT TAKE ACCOUNT OF

EXISTING FACTORY CONDITIONS

Bonfadini P

Automation of injection moulding, e.g. by adopting

automatic or semi-automatic mould changing, is discussed in terms of pre-automation factory organisation which

might be insufficiently flexible to ensure a satisfactory

outcome. Technical details are described with reference

to MIR systems.

MIR SPAITALY

Accession no.385427

Item 283

Plastics South.Proceedings of the Regional Technical

Conference held Atlanta,Ga.,8-10th Oct.1986.

Brookfield Center,Ct.,1986,p.341-67. 012AUTOMATION IN INJECTION MOULDING

FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS - THE





COMPETITIVE EDGE

Meyer W

BATTENFELD OF AMERICA INC.

(SPE;SPI)

Details are given of flexible manufacturing systems for

the production of injection moulded parts. Topics

mentioned include control equipment, computer control,

and standardising moulds and machines.

USA

Accession no.385140

Item 284

Plastics South.Proceedings of the Regional Technical

Conference held Atlanta,Ga.,8-10th Oct.1986.

Brookfield Center,Ct.,1986,p.212-7. 012

AUTOMATION AND THE FUTURE FOR THE

PLASTIC INJECTION MOULDER

Paradis JAUTOMATED ASSEMBLIES CORP.

(SPE;SPI)

Details are given of automation for injection moulding

with particular reference given to parts removal robots. 3

refs.

USA

Accession no.385132

Item 285

Kunststoffe

78,No.10,Oct.1988,p.920-3

German

FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION OF THE INJECTION

MOULDING SHOP

Menges G;von Eysmondt B

INSTITUT FUER KUNSTSTOFFVERARBEITUNG

Based on a survey conducted amongst plastics processors,

machinery manufacturers, associations and institutes, an

analysis is made of whether different concepts of flexible

automation production technology are used in practice.

Results, which show that there seems to be some

reluctance in introducing such concepts, are discussed. 6

refs.WEST GERMANY

Accession no.381666

Item 286

Kunststoffe

78,No.10,Oct.1988,p.913-9

German

FLEXIBLE INJECTION MOULDING

PRODUCTION

Thienel P;Berlin R

NRW GMBH

Methods of increasing the flexibility of injection moulding

plants are discussed. Systems considered include self-

optimising machine control units, automatic mould

changing systems, exchangeable plasticising limits, as

well as robot and handling equipment. Types of systems

available on the market are described, their mode of

operation explained and their effectiveness assessed. 15

refs.

WEST GERMANY

Accession no.381665

Item 287

Plastics Technology

35,No.4,April 1989,p.31/5

AUTOMATED INJECTION CELL SHUFFLES

NINE MOULDS

An injection moulding production cell from Battenfeld

GmbH is described in detail. It consists of two 3-axis

robots on a single boom for removal of finished parts

from the mould, degating, stacking, mobile mould changesystem, mould storage, automated materials handling and

an injection moulding cell with a hot-runner manifold for

two materials. It is reported that the system can change

any of nine multi-cavity moulds in less than 6 mins.

BATTENFELD GMBHWEST GERMANY

Accession no.377766

Item 288

Can You Handle It?;Conference Proceedings.

Solihull,8th Dec.1987,Paper 8,pp.70. 125

PLANT AUTOMATION INCLUDING ‘JUST INTIME’

Eckardt H

BATTENFELD MASCHINENFABRIK GMBH

(Rapra Technology Ltd.;Elsevier Seminars)

The reasons for automation in injection moulding are

described and the steps taken towards automation are

listed with a large number of practical examples. The need

for production in smaller quantities which must be

delivered exactly on given deadlines (Just-in-time) is

shown to be a major factor in machine automation, part

handling robots and production control systems.

WEST GERMANY

Accession no.370013

Item 289


No.1250,27th Aug.1988,p.13

DO’S AND DON’TS IN USING ROBOTS

Slaton J R

KENT PLASTICS CORP.

Today’s custom moulder is said to be facing more

competitive pressure than ever before. The need to reduce

costs will force most seriously to evaluate the use of robotics in the moulding process. The sheet number of

units available combined with the wide diversity of





applications is reported to make the decision a difficult

one. An attempt is made to point out key areas to look at

during the stages of a robotics project: planning,

purchasing, installing and operating.

USA

Accession no.368891

Item 290

Plastics and Polymer Processing Automation.Papers

based on 2nd International Conference,Polymer

Processing:Automation ’86.

Park Ridge,NJ,Noyes Data Corp.,1987,p.103-12. 1121

CONTINUOUS INJECTION MOULDING:

TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY AND INVESTMENT

Coppetti T

(PRI)

A study was carried out to prove that a completely

automatic injection moulding line was capable of meetingthe most exacting quality requirements with regard to

moulded parts. This was accomplished by selecting two

very different mouldings, which were produced

completely automatically (i.e. computer controlled),

alternately on the same Netstal closed-loop injection

moulding machine. The products were a tap insert made

from ABS containing 15% glass fibres and a honeycomb

unit made from glass fibre reinforced polycarbonate.

Particular attention was paid to the number of cycles

necessary to produce a good quality part after an automatic

change.

NETSTAL AGWEST GERMANY

Accession no.366557

Item 291


15,No.8,Aug.1988,p.22

AUTOMATION FOR SMALL MACHINES

The concept of automatic production cells centred around

50 tonnes injection moulding machines is considered.

Buchsteiner set up an automatic production plant for

Ohropax, a manufacturer of wax ear plugs, for their

manufacture and packaging. The equipment involved is briefly described.

BUCHSTEINER GMBH; OHROPAXWEST GERMANY

Accession no.361498

Item 292


18,No.1,Jan.1988,p.35-8

ROBOTICS’ APPEAL SPREADS TO A WIDER

SPECTRUM OF PROCESSORS

Mapleston P

The latest developments in robotic handling equipment

are reported to be bringing the goal of fully automatic

manufacturing to an increasingly diverse range of

injection moulders. A review of recent developments,

available from various European and Japanese producers

is presented; some emphasis is placed on compact disc

developments, electrical robots, pneumatics, integration

of downstream assembly operations, machine vision and

benefits for custom moulders.EUROPE-GENERAL; JAPAN

Accession no.351068

Item 293


38,No.3,April 1986,p.108-9

French

INOV’PLASTIC: THE ART OF AUTOMATION

An account is given of the activities of Inov’Plastic of

France in the production of precision injection moulded

electronic, automotive and aircraft components inengineering plastics. The company’s automation,

production management and quality control programme

is also examined.

INOV’PLASTICFRANCE

Accession no.317720

Item 294

Plastics Technology

32,No.4,April 1986,p.97-100

HERE’S A LOOK INSIDE A SHOWCASE CIM

MOULDING PLANTKirkland C

Black & Decker’s houseware and outdoor products

moulding and assembly plant at Easton is described. The

introduction of just-in-time manufacturing, computer

aided design and manufacturing, preventive maintenance,

a manufacturing resources planning system, electronic

message boards, robots and microcomputer controls have

already brought about significant reductions in costs. The

use of all these techniques is explained.

BLACK & DECKER MFG.CO.USA

Accession no.309360

Item 295


12,No.11,Nov.1985,p.26/30

ROBOTS MEET STANDARDS FOR TOTAL

AUTOMATION

Thermoset specialist moulder Healey Mouldings now has

a robot fitted to every one of its eighteen thermoset

injection moulding machines. A company profile is briefly

presented.

HEALEY MOULDINGS LTD.; PRESSFLOW LTD.UK

Accession no.302249





Item 296

Automate or Liquidate;Proceedings of the PRI and

Knight Wendling Conference on Advanced

Manufacturing Technology.

Brighton,16-18 May 1984,Paper 20,p.20/1-20/6. 1121

JAPANESE SCENE

Morita A;Stokes P GLITTLE A.D.,INC.

(PRI;Knight Wendling)

The Japanese plastics industry is making considerable use

of flexible, automated manufacturing technology. The

differing objectives of large multinational concerns and

small companies are discussed with reference to the

incentives to automate, which also differ for large and

small firms. General developments are described along

with justification for automation for both small and large

concerns, with special reference to injection moulding.

JAPAN

Accession no.274889

Item 297

Innovations in Injection Molding. Papers presented at

SPE Technical Conference and Seminar on Injection

Molding.

Brookfield Center,Ct.,24 Oct.1983,Paper 2B,p.2B1-

2B4. 831

HANDS OFF - INSERT MOULDING

Ortberg D D

CAPSONIC GROUP INC.

(SPE,Injection Molding Div.;SPE,Newark Section)

Some of the applications of auto-loading systems for insert

moulding operations utilised by Capsonic Group Inc. are

discussed. The following seven methods of insert

moulding are considered:- into the tool, removable

cavities or cores, strip moulding, breakaway strip, tape

strip, reel-to-reel and hitch feed.

USA

Accession no.274233

Item 298

Plastics News (Australia)

June 1984,p.11-2DEMOULDING SYSTEMS ON INJECTION

MOULDING MACHINES

Karl H L

COMTEC PTY.LTD.

A brief review is given of the use of industrial robots for

demoulding systems on injection moulding machines.

These systems can be coupled to periphery equipment

such as conveyors, buffer zones, cooling equipment,

stockpiling, deflashing, sprue removal and assembling

machines.

USA

Accession no.261117

Item 299


March 1984,p.37

ROBOT REWARDS - PROFITS OR PROBLEMS?

Evans R

ENGELMANN & BUCKHAM LTD.

It is argued that the use of a robot on an injection moulding

machine will only be worthwhile if the machine is ready

for it. The robot is only an arm which removes parts from

the press, so the quality of the product, and the other

benefits, such as increased productivity, decreased labour

costs and down time and scrap, and safer workings

conditions, are all dependent on the performance of the

moulding machine. The relevant criteria for automated

injection moulding are discussed.

UK

Accession no.251266

Item 300

Plastics World

41,No.10,Sept.1983,p.50/80

INJECTION MOULDING-SEVEN SUCCESS

STORIES

Details are presented on moves made by 7 USA companies

to modernise and reequip their injection moulding plants.

The contributions of CAD/CAM, robots, tool changers,

computerised management control and automated

materials handling are considered.

AMITECH INC.; COMDIAL TELEPHONE

SYSTEMS; COURTESY MOLD & TOOL CORP.;COWAN PLASTICS; KIEHL ENGINEERING CO.;

PIXLEY RICHARDS INC.; UFE INC.USA

Accession no.240073

Item 301


No.996,16th July 1983,p.8

ROBOTS ARE PART OF THE SCENERY

Bickel S

Some company information is given for HealeyMouldings Ltd., one of the first major UK moulders to

install industrial robots as an integral part of their set-up.

Listed are some of the various models Healey have

installed and their attitude to the future buying of robots.

HEALEY MOULDINGS LTD.UK

Accession no.235559



Subject Index

© Copyright 2001 Rapra Technology Limited 77

Subject Index

A

ABRASION RESISTANCE, 85ABRASIVE MATERIAL, 2ACCELERATION, 87 97 139 144

166ACCIDENT PREVENTION, 48 58ACCUMULATOR, 186ACCURACY, 91 115 120 142 163ACETALDEHYDE, 33ACQUISITION, 26 33ACRYLIC RESIN, 156ACRYLONITRILE BUTADIENE

STYRENE, 2 49 66 89 113 114128 142 207 216 224 229 290

ACTUATOR, 6ADAPTIVE CONTROL, 110ADDED VALUE, 106 115ADDITIVE, 2 36 54 110 187 231ADHESION, 80AEROSPACE APPLICATION, 230AESTHETIC, 66 85AGEING, 8AGENT, 32AGREEMENT, 100AGRICULTURAL

APPLICATION, 8

AIR CONDITIONING, 73 130 135AIR COOLING, 54AIR DRYING, 54 113AIR HANDLING, 163AIR HOSE, 193AIR PRESSURE, 93 184AIR-POWERED, 115AIRBAG, 143AIRCRAFT, 293AIRPORT, 86ALARM, 8 22 93 153 162 207 208

209ALUMINIUM, 7 48 84 187ANALYSIS, 36 107ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT, 2 8

28 31 32 33 34 39 44 48 53 5465 71 76 79 95 96 107 113 119142 153 162 165 171 174 177179 187 191 202 205 207 208217 218 229 251 253 279 298299 301

ANTHROPOMORPH, 24APPARATUS, 40 70 81 116 117

118 121 127 170 173ARTICULATED, 9 41 83 87 130

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE,105 106 243

ASSEMBLY, 2 13 20 24 32 37 38

39 41 44 46 49 51 75 90 97 9899 100 112 136 137 144 147163 166 176 179 194 198 202235 236 271 274

ASSOCIATION, 20 44AUDIO CASSETTE, 32AUDIO EQUIPMENT, 2 128AUTOMATED, 62 198 232 235

236 254 256 270 277 279AUTOMATIC, 80 119 152 290AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATION, 2

12 14 15 16 18 20 24 36 37 3941 45 47 49 52 54 55 56 73 7679 80 85 87 89 100 104 108 113114 119 124 126 130 132 135

138 143 144 148 153 155 156166 186 190 193 206 207 210212 215 224 225 227 228 230235 248 258 275 279 293

AZOBISFORMAMIDE, 110AZODICARBONAMIDE, 110

B

BAG, 8 120BAG MAKING, 8BALL SCREW, 133

BAR CODE, 110BARRIER SCREW, 239BASE CUP, 179BATH, 114BATTERY, 203BAYONET FITTING, 52BEARING, 153 162BELLOWS, 153 162BERYLLIUM, 187BIAXIAL ORIENTATION, 179BICYCLE, 142BIMETALLIC, 187

BLEND, 54 108 186 193 254BLENDER, 28 191 254BLOW MOULD, 179 187 208 209

226 232 234 279BLOW MOULDING, 8 24 32 33

36 43 71 117 163 186 205 232234 279

BLOWING AGENT, 110BLOWN FILM, 208BODY PANEL, 41 87BOTTLE, 8 24 36 117 141 163 179

203 226BOX, 8 114 186 275

BRAKE, 124BRONZE, 187BRUSHLESS DRIVE, 20 22 24 32

39 65 71BUILDING APPLICATION, 8 163BULK COLOUR, 113BULK MOULDING

COMPOUND, 227BUMPER, 16BUSH, 162BUSHING, 153BUSINESS MACHINE, 15 90 166

260BUSINESS PRACTICE, 45BUYING, 21

C

C-FRAME, 80CABLE, 207CABLE CONNECTOR, 207CALIBRATION, 208CAM, 181CAMERA, 144CAP, 168CAPACITY, 13 53 78 137 174 186

222CAPACITY UTILISATION, 115

169CAPITAL INVESTMENT, 19 180

CARBON FIBRE-REINFORCEDPLASTIC, 7 20 33 44 69

CAROUSEL SYSTEM, 110CARTESIAN, 20 24 32 33 39 44

48 65 66 71 78 79 85CASE, 230CASE HISTORY, 240CASING, 18 86 166CASSETTE, 32 139 196 230CASSETTE CASE, 98 203CASTING, 187CATERING APPLICATION, 86

CAVITY, 15 94 109CENTERING, 52CERTIFICATION, 2 8 43 55 66

113 114 193CHASSIS, 90CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, 63CHEMICAL RESISTANCE, 8 85CHILLER, 28 191CHILLING, 229CHUTE, 158CLAMP, 151 186CLAMP FORCE, 2 8 18 20 22 24

29 32 36 37 39 42 43 44 47 48

52 53 54 55 56 61 65 66 67 6871 76 78 79 80 82 84 86 87 9597 99 105 110 115 119 126 128



Subject Index


D

DASHBOARD, 224DATA COLLECTION, 174DATABANK, 271DAYLIGHT PRESS, 153 162

DECOMPRESSION, 184DECORATION, 66 79 97 110 136

179 196 203DECORATIVE, 36DEFECT, 153DEFENCE APPLICATION, 230DEFLASHING, 61 171DEGATING, 56 67 68 106 115 136DEGRADATION, 8DEHUMIDIFICATION, 2 108DEHUMIDIFIER, 2 108 187DELIVERY SYSTEM, 45

DEMAND, 68 94DEMOULD, 3 6 23 35 114 119146 147 149 152 153 162 179181 183 184 187 194 195 202203 217 220 224 226 230 231271 272 298 299

DEMOULDING, 7 19 20 32 36 3943 44 48 52 53 55 58 65 66 7176 78 79 84 85 86 91 93 95 98104 136 139 140 145 163 200214 271 298

DENSITY, 8 54DESIGN, 15 17 19 30 48 52 57 66

75 76 85 96 110 156 175 176184 191 201 213 236

DESIGN FOR MANUFACTUREAND ASSEMBLY, 112 120

DESIGN FOR RECYCLING, 76DETERGENT, 8 57DEVELOPMENT, 63 96 102 123

130 182 188 191 233 244 268DEW POINT, 33 142DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATION,

106 144 279DIAMETER, 163 193

DIE, 121 133 153 181 193 204DIE CHANGING, 227DIGITAL, 8 76 182 209DIGITAL ANALYSIS, 107DIGITAL COMPACT CASSETTE,

74DIGITAL VERSATILE DISC, 103DIMENSIONAL STABILITY, 124

175DISABLED APPLICATION, 114DISC, 29 36 78 99 103 111 231

273 292DISCHARGE, 179DISCOLOURATION, 54DISPENSER, 57 191

DISPERSION, 36DISTRIBUTION, 47 201DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT, 43 48

66 77 86 113 156 163 186 204206

DOOR HANDLE, 39

DOOR PANEL, 56 120DOSING, 186 187 207DOUBLE FLIGHT SCREW, 36DOUBLE-ARM, 65DOUGH MOULDING

COMPOUND, 140 227DOWNSTREAM EQUIPMENT,

179 210DOWNTIME, 54 195 203 231 299DRILLING, 200DRINKING STRAW, 277DRIVE, 32 61 65 115 213DRIVE MOTOR, 32 39 40 71DRUG PACKAGING, 8DRUM, 163 232DRYER, 2 5 28 33 54 108 165 187

207 254DRYING, 2 33 54 85 108 110 113

137 142 175 187 205 207DRYING TIME, 54DUAL INJECTION MOULDING,

110 113DURABILITY, 213DUST, 8DUST CONTROL, 2 8

DUSTBIN, 186DWELL TIME, 132DYE, 5DYNAMIC, 60

E

EFFICIENCY, 93 97 204EJECTION, 3 76 95 119 123 133

147 149 153 162 179 184 185194 195 216 262

EJECTOR, 52 87 95 147 153 162

184ELASTIC MODULUS, 85ELECTRIC, 20 22 24 32 44 52 53

61 65 76 79 92 105 119ELECTRIC MOTOR, 32 39 71 76

82 103ELECTRIC MOULDING

TECHNOLOGY, 32 36ELECTRIC SWITCH, 215ELECTRICAL APPLICATION, 27

45 113 137 147 203 207 215230

ELECTRICAL DISCHARGEMACHINING, 126ELECTRICAL ENERGY, 76 110

ELECTROEROSION, 2ELECTROHYDRAULIC, 36 76ELECTROMAGNETIC, 52ELECTROMAGNETIC

INTERFERENCE, 39ELECTROMECHANICAL, 6 36

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION, 27165 230 231 279 293ELECTRONIC CONTROL, 20 53

65 76 79 119 194ELECTROPNEUMATIC, 22 24 53

65ELEVATOR, 179ENCAPSULATION, 18ENERGY CONSERVATION, 31

110ENERGY CONSUMPTION, 36 54

65 76 93 105 126 132ENERGY EFFICIENCY, 103ENGINEERING, 36ENGINEERING APPLICATION, 2

54 66 110 114 142 175 184 202207 224 231 293

ENGINEERING PLASTIC, 2 5466 110 114 142 175 184 202207 224 231 293

ENVIRONMENT, 186 280EPOXY RESIN, 187EQUIPMENT, 2 4 5 8 13 19 26 28

33 44 46 50 54 62 64 73 76 90108 109 117 161 170 173 175

192 213 238 240 291ETHYLENE-PROPYLENE-

DIENE TERPOLYMER, 193ETHYLENE-VINYL ACETATE

COPOLYMER, 8EXPORT, 198 205EXTRACTION, 65EXTRUDER, 8 191 193 208 209EXTRUSION, 8 24 28 38 43 163

193 205 208 209 231 277EXTRUSION BLOW MOULD,

208

EXTRUSION BLOWMOULDING, 43EXTRUSION BLOWING, 208EXTRUSION COATING, 130

F

FABRIC, 110FACTORY, 258FACTORY LAYOUT, 57 201FACTORY SERVICES, 256FASCIA, 73

FAULT, 223FAULT DETECTOR, 93FAULT DIAGNOSIS, 20 93 153



Subject Index


186FEASIBILITY STUDY, 250FEED, 207 208FEEDER, 2 8 54 71 76 108 165

179 180 187 191FEEDING, 2 5 8 24 50 54 60 71 76

108 110 113 114 164 187 199FIBRE-REINFORCED PLASTIC,7 20 33 44

FILLED, 37 187FILLER, 2 54FILM, 8 130 203 205 208 277FILTER, 50 142FILTRATION, 8FINISHING, 20 24 39 51 75 78 97

99 114 186 200 271FIRE ALARM, 125FITTINGS, 38FLAME PROOFING, 109FLAME RETARDANCE, 109FLAME TREATMENT, 87 179FLASH, 193FLASH REMOVAL, 2 20 22 24 33

39 48 53 65 66 76 77 78 79 87140 171 179 194 202 203 207214 231

FLEXIBILITY, 60 213FLEXURAL PROPERTIES, 7FLOPPY DISK, 103FLOW, 15FLOW METER, 33

FOAM, 34 110 163 166 187FOAMING, 208FOAMING AGENT, 110FOLDABLE, 1FOLDING, 75FOOD PACKAGING, 8 32 86 186

192 196FOOD-CONTACT

APPLICATION, 65 114 116FORECAST, 44FORMING, 193 230 296FRAME, 213

FRUIT PACKAGING, 8FUEL HOSE, 193FUEL TANK, 232FURNITURE, 114FUSIBLE CORE, 36 110

G

GANTRY, 120 141 242GAS INJECTION MOULDING,

36 39 76 110 187GAS-ASSISTED, 36 39 76 110

GASKET, 80GATE, 184 212GEAR, 126

GEAR CHANGER, 142GEL COAT, 97GLASS, 85GLASS BEAD, 207GLASS FIBRE-REINFORCED

PLASTIC, 2 80 97 108 109 124

137 207 271 290GLASS FILLED, 12GLOSS, 104GRAB, 141GRANULATION, 79GRANULATOR, 28 79 142 164

175 187 205 254GRANULE, 8 54 113 114 187 207GRAVIMETRIC FEEDER, 8 76GRAVITY, 184GREENHOUSE, 8GRINDER, 2 28 187GRINDING, 2 54 101 187 207GRIP, 30GRIPPER, 100 140 145 163 184

236GROWTH RATE, 44 68 97 126

163 166 205

H

HANDLE, 39 210HANDLING, 4 5 6 8 11 13 14 17

18 19 22 25 41 48 49 51 60 6264 72 73 74 87 99 104 108 113116 117 129 130 132 135 139141 144 147 153 158 162 163164 165 166 171 175 177 179181 187 189 192 201 202 203207 233 236 240 257 265 266271 273 274 277 280 286 288289 294 295 297 298

HARDWARE, 174HEADLINER, 56HEALTHCARE APPLICATION,

15HEAT DEGRADATION, 123

HEAT DISSIPATION, 39HEAT EXCHANGER, 54HEAT RESISTANCE, 8HEAT STAKING, 90HEAT TRANSFER, 212HEATING, 7 48 52 54 73 80 95

130 147 162 206 212HEATING TIME, 153 162HEIGHT, 7 65HIGH DENSITY

POLYETHYLENE, 129 186HIGH SPEED MOULDING, 24 32

65 76 78 79 97HIGH VOLUME PRODUCTION,128

HIGH-PERFORMANCE, 134HIGH-SPEED, 7 20 32 39 43 44 48

53 60 65 71 78 91 93 99 112134 148 152 182

HIGHLY-FILLED, 2HOLDING STAGE, 3

HOLE, 184HOLLOW ARTICLE, 24 43 110179 185

HOLLOW GAS INJECTIONMOULDING, 110

HONEYCOMB, 290HOPPER, 1 8 54 229HOPPER LOADER, 254HORIZONTAL, 20 33 43 44 84

148HORIZONTAL MACHINE, 36 66

95 265HORTICULTURAL

APPLICATION, 8HOSE, 50 193HOT RUNNER, 34 38 103 110 147

153 162 186 187 202 207 212287

HOT STAMPING, 114HOUSEWARE, 66 156HOUSING, 210HYBRID, 115HYDRAULIC, 36 52 76 80 95 151

153 162 193 195 231 244 264268

HYDRAULIC CLAMP, 36 95HYDROLYSIS, 54HYDROMECHANICAL, 36

I

IGNITION, 138IMPACT PROPERTIES, 85IMPORT, 198IN-HOUSE, 102 240IN-LINE, 240IN-MOULD DECORATING, 110

166 192 196IN-MOULD LABELLING, 24 166

192 203INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION, 8INDUSTRIAL HAZARD, 58INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY,

4INJECTION BLOW MOULD, 226INJECTION BLOW MOULDING,

32 33 36INJECTION COMPRESSION

MOULDING, 76

INJECTION PRESS, 153 162INJECTION PRESSURE, 36 126208 209



Subject Index


INJECTION RATE, 105INJECTION SPEED, 36 110 196

208 209INJECTION TRANSFER

MOULD, 153 162INJECTION UNIT, 76 78 80 175

INJECTION VOLUME, 36INNER LINER, 166INNOVATION, 63INSERT, 2 20 24 39 44 48 49 71 78

79 80 84 110 114 119 120 194203 230 231 262

INSERT MOULD, 80 130 132 148153 162 194 203 271 274 293297

INSERT MOULDING, 2 10 12 1418 20 24 32 34 39 44 48 49 6671 78 79 80 84 92 104 107 110119 120 124 132 136 274

INSPECTION, 9 52 95 117 136INSPECTION SYSTEM, 90 107

120INSTALLATION, 26 280INSTITUTION, 60INSTRUMENT DIAL, 130INSTRUMENT PANEL, 224INTEGRAL SKIN, 274INTEGRATED

MANUFACTURINGSYSTEM, 97

INTEGRATION, 24 78

INTELLIGENT PROCESSING, 36INTERFACE, 266 280INTRUSION MOULDING, 110INVENTORY, 96INVESTMENT, 5 8 14 15 21 26 38

42 78 102 113 114 126 128 137150 155 165 175 197 198 199222 228 251 290

IONISATION, 52

J

JEWEL BOX, 29 99 103 106 112JOINING, 38JOINT, 2JOINT VENTURE, 194 203JUST-IN-TIME, 52 55 79 102 128

199 200 241 267 270 288

K

KINEMATIC, 39 83KNEADING, 239

LLABELLING, 20 24 32 43 179 203

LABOUR, 115 157 175LAMINATED FILM, 8LAMP HOLDER, 240LARGE-COMPONENT, 7 20 24

43 78 110 187 202 203LARGE-MACHINE, 22 32 33 44

48 53 55 76 79 110LASER, 11 187 218 270LASER CUTTING, 79LASER SCANNING ANALYSIS,

107LAW, 58LEAK DETECTION, 127LEAN PRODUCTION, 153LEGISLATION, 58LEISURE APPLICATION, 234LENGTH, 163LENS, 85

LID, 186LIFTING GEAR, 162 163LIGHT, 20 85 104 114LIGHT RESISTANCE, 85LIGHTING APPLICATION, 66 85

104LIGHTWEIGHT, 7 110LINING, 56 163LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY, 20

22 76LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER,

110LOAD BEARING, 38 61 87 97 99

131 139LOADER, 28LOADING, 7 50LOST-CORE PROCESS, 144LOW DENSITY

POLYETHYLENE, 8LUBRICATION, 93

M

MACHINE GUARD, 58MACHINE SHUTDOWN, 239MACHINE START-UP, 239MACHINE TOOL, 53MACHINING, 2 15 24 39 44 48 79

126 129 136 187 194MAGNETIC, 52MAINTENANCE, 22 39 43 52 54

55 65 76 84 95 110 144 159 191213 280 294

MANAGEMENT, 45 201 293 300MANIFOLD, 144MANIPULATOR, 2 20 22 24 32 33

39 43 44 48 53 58 65 71 76 78

79 84 119MARKET, 20 44 198 205MARKET GROWTH, 4 15 44

MARKET TREND, 4 15 198MARKETING, 47MARKING, 77 78 194 230MASS PRODUCTION, 128MASTERBATCH, 8 54 113 142

186 207

MATERIAL, 5 50MATERIAL REPLACEMENT,

163 261MATERIALS CONSERVATION,

110MATERIALS HANDLING, 8 42

105 106 108 128 137 142 170171 180 186 205 206 207 287296 300

MATERIALS REPLACEMENT,261

MEASUREMENT, 2 11 39 45 153

162 163 271MECHANICAL PART, 2 7 66 80114 153 162 184

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES, 78 60 85 213

MECHANICAL RECYCLING, 254

MECHANICAL STRENGTH, 109MEDICAL APPLICATION, 15 19

53 55 114 120 159 179 196 230279

MELT PRESSURE, 105MELT VISCOSITY, 36METAL, 7 80 108 227 297METAL ALLOY, 187METAL DETECTOR, 108METAL INJECTION

MOULDING, 39METAL INSERT, 2 20 24 48 49 80

110 114 120 153 162 194 203METAL REPLACEMENT, 33 41

126 186METALLISING, 24METERING, 142 165 180 186MICRO INJECTION, 110

MICROCOMPUTER, 294MICROPROCESSOR, 7 20 44 48

65 71 76 78 79 84 93 191 203208 209 228 229 231 248 298300

MINERAL FILLER, 2MIXER, 187MIXING, 8 54 101 164 180 186

187 205MOBILE PHONE, 4 13 14MODEL, 88MODEM, 144

MODERNISATION, 300MODULAR, 13 20 24 34 48 65 7176 84 93 100 153 160 162 194



Subject Index


210 231MOISTURE, 54MOISTURE CONTENT, 142MOISTURE CONTROL, 2MOISTURE REMOVAL, 54MOLECULAR SIEVE, 54

MONITORING, 90 107 126 153174 218 239 241 251 269 271300

MOTOR, 32 39 40 43 71 109 213MOULD CARRIAGE, 141MOULD CARRIER, 55 153 162MOULD CAVITY, 6 35 184 297MOULD CHANGING, 7 9 20 24

25 32 43 52 55 65 69 76 78 7984 95 110 128 147 148 153 162173 187 193 194 195 196 199202 204 207 208 224 231 238

240 246 248 250 253 255 257261 262 263 264 270 275 281282 286 287 288 290 296 300

MOULD CLAMPING, 76 95 153162 195 204

MOULD CLEANING, 79 95 148153 162 187

MOULD CLOSING, 6 36 59 76 80158 208 209

MOULD COOLING, 36 52 95 110148 153 184 187 196

MOULD CORE, 35 76 81 153MOULD CYCLE, 7 20 22 24 39

43 44 53 54 66 71 76 78 79 80108 110 132 148 152 153 162184 196 290

MOULD DESIGN, 48 76 96 110175 180 184 187 202 257

MOULD FILLING, 36 110 184209 244

MOULD FIXING, 52MOULD HEATING, 7 52 95 147

148 153 162 187 193 195MOULD INSERT, 48 71 76 84 87

138

MOULD MAKING, 2 53 126MOULD OPENING, 7 24 43 44 59

80 115 153 158 184 208MOULD RELEASE AGENT, 78

87MOULD REMOVAL, 213MOULD TEMPERATURE, 7 33

34 80 84 142 147 157 175 180MOULDED-IN, 168MOULDING COMPOUND, 54

252MOULDING FAULT, 153 216

MOULDING PRESSURE, 36 208209MOULDING TIME, 71

MOULDINGS, 170MULCH, 8MULTIARM, 53MULTIAXIAL, 61 82 87 97 166MULTIAXIAL ORIENTATION,

135

MULTICAVITY MOULD, 33 4765 71 79 110 129 152 153 162179 187 194 207 287

MULTICOLOUR MOULD, 36 3976 110

MULTICOMPONENT, 34 59MULTILAYER FILM, 8MULTIMATERIAL MOULDING,

34 36 53 110 139

N

NEEDLE, 120NICKEL, 184NITROGEN, 110NOISE REDUCTION, 2 20 24 76

110NON-CONTACT, 58NOZZLE, 34 153 162 187 208NUCLEAR APPLICATION, 114

O

OFF LINE, 44 148

OFFICE EQUIPMENT, 113OIL HOSE, 193OIL-COOLED, 33OIL-FREE, 76 93OPEN MOULD, 97 280OPEN TIME, 124OPTIC FIBRE, 202 230OPTICAL APPLICATION, 85 273OPTICAL DISC, 29 36 78 99 103

111 184 292OPTICAL PROPERTIES, 54 104

113 202OPTICAL SENSOR, 107

OPTIMISATION, 182 223ORIENTATION, 91 135ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, 15OUTPUT, 18 42 47 98 128 129 210

237OUTSERT MOULDING, 110OVERMOULDING, 80 130 132

P

PACKAGING, 2 8 9 14 20 24 3234 36 39 86 91 106 114 117 136

139 179 186 194 196 203 206216 226 230 232 262 271 273275 291

PACKING, 38 51 92 97 98 99 120137 163 246

PAINTING, 20 24 39 110 258PALLET, 20 45 86 139 163 170

176 189PALLETISING, 7 9 10 24 32 39 48

58 65 74 78 79 84 86 92 131132 165 179 194 203

PANEL, 130PAPER, 277PARALLELISM, 39 80PARISON, 24 141 186PART REMOVAL, 7 20 22 24 32

37 38 39 41 43 44 48 51 53 5556 58 61 68 75 77 82 87 90 9192 96 97 98 99 106 120 128137 138 139 140 180

PART WEIGHT, 56 144

PARTING LINE, 184PARTS CONSOLIDATION, 19PERFORATION, 44PERFORMANCE, 5PETRI DISH, 99PHARMACEUTICAL

APPLICATION, 8PHENOLIC RESIN, 66PHOTOCELL, 48PICK-AND-PLACE, 24 53 56 61

71 92 97 98 99 106 115 120PICKING, 172PILLAR, 37PIPE, 186PIPE FITTING, 129 166PISTON, 36 80 86PIVOT, 3 120PLANNING, 189PLANT, 8 15 26 32 45 46 53 66 78

109 114 198 201 206 245 246260 270 279 300

PLANT CONSTRUCTION, 126128 165 197

PLANT EXPANSION, 114 120222

PLANT START-UP, 142 186PLASMA TREATMENT, 220PLASTICISATION, 36 76 110 196

208 244PLASTICISE, 239 244 286PLASTICISING, 153 162 239 286PLATEN, 47 52 55 153 162PLUG, 49PLUMBING APPLICATION, 129PLUNGER, 184PNEUMATIC, 2 20 22 24 32 39 43

44 48 53 58 61 65 66 69 71 78

79 82 84 86 92 93 108 119 131194 202 203 292 298PNEUMATIC CONVEYANCE,



Subject Index


163 207POLYACETAL, 2 66 114 126 142

184 224POLYAMIDE, 2 12 54 66 80 114

126 137 142 184 193 207 224229

POLYAMIDE-11, 193POLYAMIDE-12, 193POLYAMIDE-6, 207POLYAMIDE-6,6, 207 224POLYBUTYLENE

TEREPHTHALATE, 124 210POLYCARBONATE, 56 66 85 89

114 128 137 142 213 224 229271 279 290

POLYETHYLENE, 8 114 129 179186 203

POLYETHYLENE

TEREPHTHALATE, 2 24 3233 36 117 179 194 203 205 226229 251

POLYMERIC GLASS, 273POLYMETHYL

METHACRYLATE, 104 114190

POLYPHENYLENE ETHER, 2POLYPHENYLENE OXIDE, 2POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE, 66POLYPROPYLENE, 2 37 53 54 66

114 168 179 192 193 205 207POLYSTYRENE, 66 98 103 113

114 128 163 166POLYURETHANE, 234POLYVINYL CHLORIDE, 38 163

179POLYVINYLBENZENE, 103PORTABLE, 2 174POSITIONING, 11 20 22 39 48 60

65 84 104POST-COOLING, 32 33POST-MOULD, 96 106 136 166POWER SUPPLY, 278PRE-COLOURED, 113

PRE-DRYING, 54 187PRE-HEAT, 208 261PRECISION, 7 8 20 24 32 39 43

44 48 53 65 78 84 93 104 119132 194 242

PRECISION ENGINEERING, 230PRECISION MOULD, 184 208

231 293PRECISION MOULDING, 110

175PREDRYING, 54PREFORM, 24 32 33 36 153 162

194 203 226 251PREHEATING, 48 52 95 147 193195

PREPREG, 194 203 226 251PRESS, 42 198 255 262 264PRESS-FIT, 106PRESSURE, 93 184PRESSURE CONTROL, 36 105

208 209

PRICE, 4 25 44 47 51 53 61 67 6899 119 126 134 144 150 198206

PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, 10PRINTER, 126PRINTING, 2 8 24 44 66 79 86 90

114 120 179 186 194 230PROBE, 208PROBLEM PREVENTION, 107

174 289 301PROBLEM SOLVING, 174PROCESS, 5 8 15 24 34 39 54 71

79 83 85 86 88 94 108 109 123PROCESS CONTROL, 36 65 110113 148 153 188 209 211 240257

PRODUCT DESIGN, 66 76 85 110145

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, 96130

PRODUCT HANDLING, 131 142170

PRODUCTION, 4 26 44 46 94 109128 182 198 214 234 237 291

PRODUCTION CAPACITY, 13 5378 137 222

PRODUCTION CELL, 10 18 1924 29 32 37 38 39 48 49 53 6578 79 80 90 95 96 97 98 102112 114 115 129 130 134 161166 168 190 235 241

PRODUCTION CONTROL, 52 5376 95 113 114 148 193 208

PRODUCTION COST, 21 38 4854 55 69 76 77 80 82 119 129148 150 175 180 190

PRODUCTION LINE, 63 232

PRODUCTION PLANNING, 223238 281 289

PRODUCTION RATE, 12 29 3238 49 54 63 98 103 106 163166

PRODUCTIVITY, 20 21 36 39 4243 44 52 54 56 61 65 66 77 7980 82 85 95 96 106 110 124 132136 137 148 151 161 190 193194 196 199 240 259 280 296299 300

PROFILE, 7 123 163

PROFIT, 103 198PROFITABILITY, 42 169PROGRAMMABLE, 9 53 61 134

160 280PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC

CONTROLLER, 20 22 47 79142 203

PROGRAMMING, 20 32 33 166PROJECT MANAGEMENT, 120

PROPERTIES, 7 8 36 54 85 104113PROTECTION, 58PROTECTIVE COATING, 85PROTOTYPE, 15 85 98 138 187PUMP, 2 8 114 204PURCHASE, 21 26PURCHASING, 21 213 280PURGING, 148PURIFICATION, 52PUSH-PULL, 227

QQUALITY ASSURANCE, 2 8 43

55 66 113 114 128 200 271QUALITY CONTROL, 2 7 8 20 24

27 32 36 39 43 44 48 49 53 5565 66 76 78 80 84 86 90 93 9697 104 105 107 113 114 117119 122 125 126 128 132 136137 143 147 150 163 169 193196 202 207 208 209 215 218223 230 235 237 238 240 241242 243 246 251 262 269 271279 290 293 294

QUICK MATERIALSCHANGING, 54

QUICK MOULD CHANGING, 920 43 52 76 79 95 110 137 138140 147 148 151 173 187 195207 208 253 257 264 270

QUICK PRODUCT CHANGING,52 95

R

RAPID PROTOTYPING, 15 98RATIONALISATION, 161RAW MATERIAL, 5 108REAL TIME, 48 65 95 105 110RECLAIM, 2 8 34 54 76 108 113

207RECORDING MEDIA, 237RECYCLABILITY, 85RECYCLED CONTENT, 113 137RECYCLING, 2 8 54 66 76 79 85

101 108 142 164 187 193 205207

REFLECTOR, 20 140REFRIGERATOR, 26REFUSE CONTAINER, 39 186



Subject Index


232REGRIND, 108 142 186REGULATION, 76REINFORCED PLASTIC, 2 7 16

20 33 44 69 70 80 108 109 137140 207 227 255 271

REINFORCEMENT, 80REJECT, 153 162REJECT RATE, 47 82 128 140RELEASE AGENT, 78 87RELIABILITY, 60 211 213REMOTE CONTROL, 22 24 79REMOVABLE, 1 81 297REMOVAL TOOL, 60REPAIR, 26 65 95REPAIRING, 144REPEATABILITY, 39 65 97 105

126 175REPLACEABLE, 1REPLACEMENT, 213 300REPOSITIONING, 59REPRODUCIBILITY, 60RESEARCH, 71 78 191RESIDENCE TIME, 132RESIDUAL MOISTURE, 54RESTRUCTURING, 257RETRACTION, 262RETROFIT, 123 131 137 210RHEOLOGY, 36ROBOT, 2 4 5 7 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 25 26

29 30 32 33 34 35 37 38 39 4142 43 44 46 48 49 51 53 55 5658 59 60 61 62 63 65 66 67 6869 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 7879 80 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 8990 91 92 93 94 96 97 98 99 100101 102 103 104 106 109 110111 112 113 114 115 119 120121 122 123 124 125 128 129130 131 132 133 134 135 136138 139 140 142 143 144 145150 157 160 163 165 166 168

175 176 181 182 186 198 200205 206 210 212 214 233 235236 250 252 259 265 266 272274 278 279 280 286 292 296300

ROBOT ARM, 7 20 32 33 39 44 4853 58 65 66 69 71 78 79 86 93118 148 194 202 213 230

ROTARY MACHINE, 179ROTATING DRUM, 54ROTATING TABLE, 12 18 24 39

52 71 79 80 138 148 187 231ROTATION, 121 133 144 181RUBBER-MODIFIED, 193RUNNER, 149 153 162 164 216

RUNNER SEPARATION, 118 142RUNNERLESS MOULDING, 34

287

S

SAFETY, 7 19 24 39 42 44 46 4856 58 71 76 82 167 280 289

SAMPLING, 223SANDWICH MOULDING, 110

113SANITARYWARE, 114SCRAP, 2 8 54 66 71 76 79 80 108

187 193 196 202 207 299SCRAP REDUCTION, 26 71 80 96

124 126 196SCRATCH RESISTANCE, 85SCREEN, 8

SCREW, 36SCREW DESIGN, 36SCREW DIAMETER, 36SCREW EXTRUDER, 208SCREW GEOMETRY, 231SCREW LENGTH, 36SCREW PLASTICISATION, 36 76SCREW SPEED, 208SEAL, 2 80 120 153 162SEALING, 184SEAT, 10 114SELF-DRYING, 2 33 54 85 108

110 113SELF-LUBRICATING, 93SELF-REGULATION, 76SEMI-AUTOMATIC, 52 119 148

195SENSOR, 7 24 32 36 39 44 48 76

78 79 86 107 108 138 140 153162 179 203 208 209 280

SEPARATION, 149SEQUENTIAL INJECTION

MOULDING, 110SERVICE LIFE, 60 71SERVICING, 21

SERVO DRIVE, 60SERVO MOTOR, 9 20 24 32 39 43

44 53 61 65 66 68 78 79 82 8588 91 92 97 98 99 102 103 105106 110 115 119 120 126 131132 134 139 144 148 158 160166 194 203

SETTING UP, 223 279SHIPMENT, 198SHOCK ABSORBER, 45SHOT CAPACITY, 80SHRINK WRAPPING, 8 163

SILK SCREEN, 2 66 179SILO, 8 54 186SINTERING, 187

SIZE, 15 28SIZE REDUCTION, 205SKIN, 110SLIDING TABLE, 137 153 162SMALL COMPONENT, 20 22 24

39 54 79 110 187 207 208 231

SNAP-FIT, 30 98SOFTWARE, 2 20 22 24 36 37 3947 51 55 58 83 93 115 131 137148 163 174 190 202 208 209210 211 271

SOLIDIFICATION, 184SPECIFICATION, 15 21 109SPEED, 4 7 15 20 24 39 42 43 44

48 51 53 58 61 65 66 71 93 97120 131 139 144 148 163 166179 194

SPIGOT, 38SPRAY DRYING, 2 33 54 85 108

110 113SPRAYING, 78SPRUE, 5 46 89 149 153 162 184

210 221 271 280SPRUE BUSH, 184SPRUE SEPARATION, 9 25 49 67

87 124 131 137 139 163 180SPRUE SEPARATOR, 11 51 61 68

82 97 99 101 134 144 145 165166 175

STACK MOULD, 29 59 65 97 99120

STACKABLE, 8STACKING, 24 131 137STANDARD, 15 21 109 194 207STANDARDISATION, 137 266

279STATISTICAL PROCESS

CONTROL, 36 65 90 113 193208 209 237 240 243 269

STATISTICS, 4 20 44 68 82 94 115126 198 199 205 231 280 296

STEEL, 7 84 187STEREOLITHOGRAPHY, 187

STIFFNESS, 7STORAGE, 5 8 52 54 95 108 113114 176 180 205

STRENGTH, 213STRIPPING STATION, 185STROKE, 61STRUCTURAL FOAM

MOULDING, 110SUBSIDIARY, 33 193 207 225SUCTION, 93 100SUCTION CUP, 158SURFACE TREATMENT, 2 8 20

22 24 33 39 44 48 53 66 76 7879 85 86 110 114 171 179 194196 202 203 205 207 230



Subject Index


SURGICAL APPLICATION, 230279

SWAN-NECK ROBOT, 77 135SWITCH, 12SWITCHGEAR, 137SYRINGE, 179

T

TAKE-OFF, 3 141 176 213 216262 265

TAKE-OFF SYSTEM, 100 134158 165 166 178 276

TAKE-OUT, 115TAKEOVER, 26 33 193TALC, 54TAMPO PRINTING, 66 79 86 114TANDEM, 265 271

TAP, 114 290TARGET, 26 94 109TELECOMMUNICATION

APPLICATION, 4 14TELEPHONE, 113TELESCOPIC, 7 20 24 32 33 44

65 78 79 93 162TEMPERATURE, 7 33 54 123 140TEMPERATURE CONTROL, 7 33

34 54 84 142 147 175 180 187205 208 229 231 254

TEST, 8 53 109TESTING, 176 198 252TEXTILE, 110THEORY, 30 60 64 160 164 223

249 281 283THERMAL DEGRADATION, 123THERMAL INSULATION, 163

166THERMAL STABILITY, 8THERMOFORM, 230THERMOFORMING, 4 24 32 187

205THICK-WALL, 76THICKNESS, 7 85 193

THIN-WALL, 71 78 105 110 158196

THREE-ARM, 24 32 53 65 71THREE-COLOUR INJECTION

MOULDING, 76 190THREE-DIMENSIONAL, 32 65THROUGHPUT, 142 205TIEBARLESS, 99 142 168TIME, 63TOGGLE, 36 76TOGGLE PRESS, 36TOLERANCE, 110 223

TOOLING, 15 26 30 42 52 81 100195 213 230 280 295 301TORQUE, 99

TOUCH SCREEN, 8TRANSFER PRINTING, 179TRANSLUCENCY, 104TRANSPARENCY, 202TRANSPARENT, 8TRANSPORTATION, 3 109 132

170 179 189TRAY, 4 86 109 216TREND, 157 244 263 268 272TRIMMING, 10 61TROUBLESHOOTING, 289 301TRUCK, 56TUBE, 163TURNKEY SYSTEM, 13 21 120TURNOVER, 11 32 33 52 53 71 78

113 114 145 193 205 207 210222 224 230

TURRET, 121TWIN-PLATEN, 55TWO-ARM, 24TWO-CAVITY, 37 53 153 162TWO-COLOUR, 104TWO-COLOUR INJECTION

MOULDING, 24 34 76 104TWO-COMPONENT, 130TWO-MATERIAL INJECTION

MOULDING, 24 34 66 76 80113

TWO-PLATE, 55TWO-STAGE, 73 74

U

ULTRASONIC, 8ULTRASONIC WELDING, 2 32

37 66 114 203ULTRAVIOLET RESISTANCE,

85UNDER-THE-BONNET

APPLICATION, 18UNDERCUT, 184UNLOADING, 266UREA RESIN, 24 163

V

VACUUM, 46 50 91 100 184VACUUM CASTING, 187VACUUM CONVEYING, 108 163VACUUM EXTRACTION, 65VACUUM PUMP, 8 142VALVE, 18 66VEGETABLE PACKAGING, 8VEHICLE DOOR, 210VEHICLE FASCIA, 73

VEHICLE HEADLIGHT, 85 140VEHICLE LIGHT, 20 85 104 114190

VEHICLE SEAT, 10VEHICLE TRIM, 100 228VELOCITY, 87 91 183VERTICAL, 7 20 32 33 43 44 53

65 84 93 148 262VERTICAL MACHINE, 24 36 95

138 153 162VIBRATION WELDING, 66VIBRATORY FEEDER, 71VIDEO CASSETTE, 230 237VIRGIN POLYMER, 50 54 101

108 186 207VIRTUAL REALITY, 68VISCOSITY, 36VOLUMETRIC, 113VULCANISATION, 80 153 162VULCANISATION TIME, 80

WWAGES, 157WALL, 186WALL THICKNESS, 7 56 109 196WASHER, 80WASHING MACHINE, 45 48WASTE, 2 8 76 79 108WASTE BIN, 139WASTE COLLECTION, 186WASTE DISPOSAL, 186WATER COOLING, 33 52WATER HOSE, 193WATER JET CUTTING, 79WATER PURIFICATION, 52WAX, 39WEAR RESISTANCE, 85WEIGHING, 76 110 187 194 271WEIGHING MACHINE, 45WEIGHT, 163 194WEIGHT REDUCTION, 20 33 44

85WELD, 203 230WELD LINE, 110WELDING, 2 16 18 32 37 66 78

114WHEEL TRIM, 166 210WHEELCHAIR, 114WHEELED BIN, 186WIRING HARNESS, 206WORKING CONDITION, 299WORKING HOURS, 137WRAPPING, 277

Y

YELLOWING, 54

YOUNG’S MODULUS, 85



Subject Index
