Saving time is saving money, and when it comes to reducing the time needed for opening and closing machines for extraction, the seconds saved can be substantial.
ABB, the global power and automation technology group, has released Machine Sync which can reduce extract time by 10 percent.
Machine Sync, further increases the output of robot production by coordinating the machine opening and closing, thereby reducing cycle time. Furthermore, by synchronising the opening and closing, robot wear will be decreased and collisions can be avoided.
Machine Sync is easily configured by ABB’s programming language rapid. Machine Sync is compatible with the ABB products Euromap/SPI and electronic position switches to guarantee redundant machine-robot safety. In combination with ABB’s software RobotWare Plastics for easy robot programming and operation, a state-of-the-art system is achieved both in sense of optimized cycle time and ease-of-use.
Machine Sync can be applied for machine tending and material handling in general and especially for injection moulding. When Machine Sync is used, the work flow of robot and machines overlap to save time. With Machine Sync, at machine opening, as soon as there is enough physical space for the robot between the machine platens, a position signal from the sensor is set, and the robot starts to move into the machine, synchronised with the moving platen of the machine.
At mould closing, as soon as the moulded part has been gripped, the robot starts to move out of the machine. When the robot has reached the machine closing point, the machine starts to close. The machine closes safely while the robot is moving out. Time is also saved by the machine’s early closing. The obvious benefit of the Machine Sync is the decreased extract time, which translates to faster machine cycle times and higher production output. For example, a 3000 ton injection moulding machine using an IRB 6650 shelf robot could decrease extraction times by at least 10 percent simply by synchronising the opening and closing. At three shifts per day year round, a complete cycle of 30 seconds including an extraction time of 10 seconds would result in 35,000 more parts being produced.
Benefits include:
- Reduced extract time by 10% means reduced cycle time and increased machine time
- Decreased robot wear
- Avoidance of collisions
- Easy to configure and program
ABB robotic solutions are available throughout Australia from ABB Certified Robot Partners.
www.abb.com
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