Robots ready for Industry 4.0

The TZ-1500HM side-entry robot that Star Automation will display at Fakuma 2017 will work on a BMB ekW- 16pi injection moulding machine, reconfirming the cooperation between the two companies as perfectly performing. In fact, the two controllers of both the unloader and the injection moulding machine will be displayed on the same screen. This integration represents a new step in the sector, as with such a system it is much simpler for the operator to control both the machines at the same time, above all through an easily displayed and operated interface. As Industry 4.0 requires, signals of the working conditions of the two machines will be displayed on a dedicated screen, thus showing the possibilities of remote-monitoring that Star Automation offers. The compact design of the TZ-1500HM side-entry robot allows it to be installed even in narrow spaces, and the telescopic structure of the entry arm is a boost to its speed, which means this machine can reach an extract dry cycle of only half a second. Moreover, thanks to its special chain features that guarantee minimum dust production and a low level of noise, this robot is often used in cleanrooms. The robot will extract from the two-cavity Otto Hofstetter mould two cubic one-litre containers with a wrapped-around label, and then will palletize them on a conveyor belt with its vertical palletizing axis. The injection moulding machine will be also accompanied by peripherals by Piovan and refrigerator by Industrial Frigo.

Walking some metres through the company stand it will be possible to find its XW-1200VI top-entry Cartesian robot displayed on a support. Being Star Automation’s top of the range series, XW-VI robots are suitable not only for pick-and-place, but above all for important automations, such as metal insert loading, interfacing with automations beside the injection moulding machine and IML. Processors might have probably noted the XW-1000VI performing IML at MecSpe exhibition in Parma, Italy, and EOAT rapid change at FIP exhibition in Lyon, France. This time they will be able to check a bigger model of the series from any angle: suitable for injection moulding machines between 200 and 650 tons and with an extract dry cycle lower than 1.2 seconds, this certainly is a robot which can satisfy many of processors’ needs. The Stec-520 controller, the newest in the company range and easily connectable to PC via Ethernet in order to answer to Industry 4.0 requirements, offers several monitoring and remote-maintenance functions.