Keywords
Citation
(2003), "Robots bring major savings to plastics company", Industrial Robot, Vol. 30 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2003.04930daf.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Robots bring major savings to plastics company
Robots bring major savings to plastics company
Keywords: Plastics, Robots, Toshiba
C&C Marshall Ltd has installed two TM Robotics' SR-554 HSP SCARA robots at one of its UK plastics moulding plants. The robots position components within dry lining box moulds. Operating on its most common program, the system shifts 10,000 dry lining boxes a day (Plate 1).
The installation was prompted by the need to reduce the man-hours spent on the shop floor and increase the production. Before the investment in robotics was made, the currently automated functions were performed manually. At present, just three people operate the entire system where previously eight people were required. Given that 5-6 tons of boxes are produced per week, this represents a significant improvement on the factory's bottom line.
Plate 1
In this application, TM Robotics' SCARA SR-554 HSP places swivel clamps into
dry lining boxes
TM Robotics' SR-554 HSP robots were selected over five-axis systems because they offer greater speed, improved accuracy and far more attractive prices. The SCARA positions swivel clamps in dry lining boxes, for use in electrical installations. When installed, the box sits between the socket plate and the wall. It contains the switchgear needed to operate the socket, keeping the system insulated.
The process uses a Cartesian robot to move four dry lining boxes from a moulding machine into inserting nests, where the swivel clamp is inserted. The Toshiba machine robot is bowl-fed with the clamps and places them in the correct position in the boxes. The Cartesian then lifts the boxes and drops them onto a carrier before they are placed onto a packing carousel.
In addition to this process, the entire system can produce a dozen product variations, of which two thirds are versions of the dry lining box. Of these, the system described is the most complex.
For further information, contact: Nigel Smith, TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd, Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 2AA, UK. Tel: 01707 871535; Fax: 01707 393959; E-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk; Web site: www.tmrobotics.co.uk