Product category:
Handling and automation equipment
News Release from: Wittmann UK | Subject: W602 sprue pickers
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 18 March 2005
Eight sprue pickers complete automation
Eight sprue pickers round off a large scale programme of manufacturing investment at a plastics moulder that includes three new two-shot injection moulding machines.
Wittmann UK has supplied a batch of eight W602 sprue pickers to Rosti Technical Plastics (UK), as part of the latter's continuing expansion of the plant there Barry Hill Wittmann UK managing director says that: "working in partnership with Hardie Polymers we have now completed many successful robot installations in Scotland." Rosti Technical Plastics (UK) based at Larkhall rounded off a successful 2004 with a large scale programme of manufacturing investment in laser etching technology; three new two-shot injection moulding machines, upgrading of decorative paint system and also new drying equipment and an automated conveyor system to service general moulding, production and logistics needs
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 3 Sep 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Wittmann UK has been a supplier to Rosti Larkhall (previously part of the Peter Tilling Group) since 1996.
Rosti Larkhall serves a wide variety of markets as a Tier 1 supplier - "but also Tier 2 and 3 when occasion demands," says Barry Coughlan, Managing Director at the company.
Coughlan notes that 'our first automated cell with Wittmann was in 1996, demoulding components for the FMCG market.
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Basically, our people like the repeatability and ease-of-use that the Wittmann robots bring: They are also comfortable with the standardisation of the product range and the componentry across our operation.
Coughlan adds that: "These factors enables our relationship to build with Wittmann UK and also help them to give us that added-value in service".
"This relationship also applies all across the Rosti Group: We have 28 Wittmann linear robots and sprue pickers as well as Tempro mould heaters on the Larkhall site -but we also have a further 35 Wittmann robots and sprue pickers throughout the Rosti group in Europe, the Americas and China".
"This makes sense to us since Wittmann are the automation market leaders in Europe and Wittmann UK - with its ISO 9001:2000 qualifications - are of like mind in terms of quality and service with ourselves".
"It's a logical business fit." Coughlan reports that the Rosti Larkhall site has seen an intense period of re-training to both complement and upgrade our skills through the second half of 2004.
This has taken place in parallel with the investment in new plant and automation".
""Automation saves cost and gives our operators the opportunity to add more value".
"This allows our people to take true ownership of their work and their production cells," he says.
Rosti has also been using modern manufacturing techniques to optimise the value from its new equipment and also streamline their use within a scheme of overall plant efficiency.
Kaizen improvement events are regularly held at the plant.
Also throughout the facility the improvement techniques of 5s's are in evidence with goals based on lean manufacturing becoming a way of life on site.
Rosti Larkhall is currently being assessed for the demanding TS 16949 automotive industry supply standard and expects to add other qualifications to its portfolio this year".
""Though we will remain cautious it's true to say that we have had a satisfactory six months to date,' says Coughlan, 'and our productivity has more than doubled in the same period.".
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