Plastics routing cell uses 6-axis robots

Cell utilizes quick change tooling and easy-to-program 6-axis robots to reduce costs, scrap rate and operator injuries for plastics routing applications using vacuum fixtures for panel work.

KUKA Robotics Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of industrial robots, today announced it has been selected by Encobotics of Derby, Kansas to provide 6-axis robots for new plastics routering cell.

The cell the company has named the Robo-Router, combines quick change tooling with the PC based 6-axis KUKA KR6 robot to give plastics customers an more efficient method of routering plastics products while reducing costs, scrap rates and employee injuries.

"Encobotics' commitment to engineering excellence has helped their customers become more successful for many years," said Kevin Kozuszek, director of marketing for KUKA Robotics Corporation.

"This new cell, combining our easy to program robot and Encobotics' quick tool changing solution, will greatly benefit any companies cutting plastics or wood." David George, president of Encobotics, said: "The exceptional performance and reliability of KUKA robots is what our customers have come to expect from our systems.

We are constantly looking for superior solutions to improve our customer's manufacturing processes and this cell is a great example of just such a solution." The Robo-Router is a coordinated motion routering cell that utilizes a quick-change tooling system and a KUKA KR6 PC based robot.

The cell allows the customer to load plastics tops on to five easy to build vacuum fixtures.

The parts typically take a few seconds to load and about four minutes to run.

While the parts are being routered the operator is assembling the part just off the machine.

The cell has the potential to cut production times by half, eliminate scrap parts and cut processing costs by two thirds.

Additionally, employee injuries resulting from repetitive motions are virtually eliminated.

Encobotics was established in 2002 and is a highly regarded turnkey automation integrator.

Their products range from standard to custom automation cells designed to meet manufacturer's production challenges.

More information on the company and its products can be found on their website at www.encobotics.com.

KUKA Robotics Corporation, with its parent company KUKA Roboter, Augsburg, Germany, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial robots, with an annual production volume approaching 10,000 units, and an installed base of over 60,000 units.

The company's 5- and 6-axis robots range from 3kg to 570kg payloads, and 635mm to 3700mm reach, all controlled from a common PC based controller platform.

KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries.

KUKA robots are found in a multitude of applications including: material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing.

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