Whats New with Robotics in Injection Molding?
by Bennett Brumson , Contributing Editor Robotic Industries Association Posted 06/01/2010 Robotics are being applied in increasing frequency in injection molding related processes, from loading of components to the injection molding machine prior to part molding, to finishing and assembling injection molded parts. The injection molding industry will be more comfortable with robotics as it begins to understand the advantages robots could bring to their factories. “The injection molding industry is accepting six-axis articulated robots to unload and process parts downstream from the molder,” says Greg Johnson, Territory Sales Manager of ABB Inc.’s Robotic Division (Auburn Hills, Michigan) Robots are increasingly able to perform secondary tasks such as in-mold decorating, in-mold labeling, and automated insert loading. Insert Loading “Motoman continues to see more insert loading work cells requested by end-users for trimming and deburring. Many injection molders used simple manipulators i
