Versatile robot serves injection moulders

Backward-bending, steam-washable robot is available in four versions, and its high payload makes it the strongest robot on the market in its class for injection moulders up to 2500kN.

ABB, the global power and automation technologies group, brings to Interplas 2005 a showcase of robots and support products dedicated to increasing manufacturing efficiency within the plastics industry.

Heading the line-up is ABB's newest six-axis robot, the IRB 1600, which receives its UK external launch at the show.

Specially designed for fast and accurate handling operations across a diverse range of industrial tasks, the IRB 1600 is a backward-bending, steam-washable robot, with optional IP 67 classification.

It is available in four versions, with a reach of 1.2m or 1.45m, and payload of 5 or 7kg.

Its high payload makes the IRB 1600 the strongest robot on the market in its class.

Perfect for tending small-to-medium size injection moulding machines, the IRB 1600's combination of ABB motion control and powerful servo motors result in the shortest cycle times of any robot in its class.

This gives a distinct advantage to producers wanting to improve cycle times in loading and unloading injection moulding machines with sizes 1000KN-2500kN.

Ably complementing the IRB 1600 is RobotWare Plastics - Mould Industrial IT software, which is specifically developed by ABB for easy programming and operation of ABB robots used for plastic injection moulding applications.

The new software improves installation, production set-up and optimisation of the robot cycle, for products from mobile phones right through to car bumpers.

RobotWare Plastic - Mould minimises learning curve, set-up time, error recover time and improves error diagnostic accuracy.

RobotWare Plastics - Mould is also geared to fast start-up for production.

RobotWare Plastic - Mould can be used with all ABB mainstream six-axis robots including the IRB 140, 1400, 1600, 2400, 4400, and 6600, and its different variants.

Features include Euromap 12/67 interface, User Authorisation System, automatic and safe 'home run', 'hot edit' to optimise positions, graphical programmer wizard, production statistics, event log and signal status.

It is available in Chinese, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Swedish languages.

Providing the perfect addition to ABB's off-line programming system RobotStudio, and demonstrated at Interplas 2005, is MechanicalCut PowerPac.

It is a tool for programming mechanical cutting applications such as those encountered in plastics and ideal where it is important to accurately follow a specific curve or path.

MechanicalCut can save considerable time and money by programming new parts without interrupting production, while parts that previously were too complex can now be accurately machined.

Better part quality can also be generated through the creation of accurate paths, and robot programs fully optimised.

MechanicalCut is also easy to use.

The user interface is divided into several steps that follow the natural work flow to create and optimise a robot program.

Features include: set-up cutting parameters; path linearisation; tool compensation; approach and exit from the path; testing the path; and calibration.

The IRB 1600 (Plastics), RobotWare Plastics - Mould Industrial IT software, and MechanicalCut PowerPac, are proven products dedicated to improving manufacturing efficiency.

Together with its segment partners, ABB provides 'cutting-edge' automation solutions for almost all manufacturing processes within the plastics industry including: injection moulding, blow moulding, cutting and finishing, gluing and dispensing, flaming and painting, assembly, and packing and palletising.

In support of its robots and support products, ABB provides 24h support from a field service network of 1500 engineers in 35 countries, plus service centres in 25 countries.

Furthermore, ABB offers Performance Service Contracts to prolong the service life of the installation, and Productivity Improvement Projects to constantly keep the installation up-to-date.

Interplas, NEC, Birmingham, UK, October 4-6, Stand 5120.

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