Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

injection

Volume Graphics partners with industry consortium to improve rapid-prototyping of plastic mold inserts

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Volume Graphics, a provider of industrial computed tomography software, is partnering in a second joint project on “rapid tooling” with companies from a wide range of industries.

The company’s partnership is with the Kunststoff-Institut, in Germany.

As a project partner, Volume Graphics brings expertise in quality assurance and process optimization to the team via its advanced industrial computed tomography (CT) data-analysis software.

Christof Reinhart, CEO of Volume Graphics, says: “Working on this project with Kunststoff-Institut and partners is very important to us because we are convinced that industrial computed tomography can advance the future of rapid tooling. [Read more…] about Volume Graphics partners with industry consortium to improve rapid-prototyping of plastic mold inserts

Kuka shows off its robots working in microelectronics

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Electronics is a fast-growing market for industrial robots, and Kuka has been showing off some of its success in the sector. 

In one example the company highlighted recently, a total of 25 Kuka robots are in operation at Possehl Electronics in Niefern, Germany.

There, they manufacture complex timing cases for electric power steering systems for cars.

At the core of the system, three KR Agilus robots precisely place components into the injection molding machine.

Industrial robots work on three lines with an accuracy to a tenth of a millimeter, says Kuka.  [Read more…] about Kuka shows off its robots working in microelectronics

Quantum Plastics invests $2m in new robot and manufacturing system

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HAITIAN Mars II Injection Molding Machine (PRNewsFoto/Quantum Plastics)
HAITIAN Mars II Injection Molding Machine (PRNewsFoto/Quantum Plastics)

New presses and robot systems are replacing ageing machines at the Quantum Plastics, River Bend Industries Division in Victor, Iowa, US.

Quantum Plastics recently added two new Absolute Haitian injection molding machines and two new Yushin automation robots to its manufacturing floor.

The new equipment aligns with Quantum Plastics’ environmental initiative and uses the latest technology to manufacture detailed parts. The new 1100 and 2000 ton presses are Haitian Mars Servo-Hydraulic Energy Saving Toggle Clamp machines.  [Read more…] about Quantum Plastics invests $2m in new robot and manufacturing system

Kuka lightweight robot combines injection molding with additive manufacturing

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kuka, arburg, collaborative robots, additive manufacturing
Use of the LBR iiwa enables maximum flexibility at Arburg

In the age of Industry 4.0, “smart factories” are developing at an unprecedented rate. Nowadays, automated, networked and variable production lines are in high demand as companies aim to respond quickly and flexibly to ever shorter product life cycles.

At the same time, the issue of how to incorporate individual customer requirements into industrial series production is growing in significance.

The German machinery manufacturer Arburg has developed a fully automated production line, completely networked in terms of IT processes, which allows series-manufactured injection moldings to be individualized right at the production line, according to the customer’s requirements. [Read more…] about Kuka lightweight robot combines injection molding with additive manufacturing