Fanuc UK to host dedicated automation event for injection moulders

Front and centre will be a number of machines from Fanuc’s ROBOSHOT automated injection moulding series in operation across several exhibits, covering injection moulding, cobots, IIoT, and Fanuc’s wide range of industrial robots.

Tom Bouchier, managing director at Fanuc UK, comments: “2020 has been a challenging time for manufacturing, but we know how resilient and adaptable the sector is in the UK. With attention now turning to how automation can be used to facilitate safe working, events such as these are a great way to share knowledge and solutions with one another.

“Our highly versatile ROBOSHOT machine is the perfect example of an automated solution that can boost productivity, precision, and reliability, while simultaneously using less energy than hydraulic machines. Last year, our first ever Open House was a brilliant platform to discuss automation’s role in improving UK manufacturing, and this event builds on that by offering application-specific illustrations of the opportunities there are to improve manufacturing processes.”

The seven injection moulding exhibits will be as follows:

• Exhibit 1 - alpha-S300iA with M10iD8L 6-axis industrial robot mounted on an automated longitudinal beam from HiTech Automation, to deliver 7-axis operation from within compact footprint.
• Exhibit 2 - alpha-S150iA with a second SI20iA injection unit supported by a LR-Mate 200iD7L industrial robot and QSSR (Quick & Simple Start-up of Robotization). It will be used to manufacturer an ice scraper, which visitors can take home with them.
• Exhibit 3 - alpha-S150iAs with RJG Co -Pilot ‘smart’ injection moulding monitoring system, which improves part quality and reduces waste. The cell will be making a mould for mobile phone covers.
• Exhibit 4 - alpha-S50iA LSR display for proprietary liquid silicone processing, complete with QSSR and LRMate200iD industrial robot for parts handing.
• Exhibit 5 - alpha-S50iA with compact, modular parts handling solution from HiTech Automation.
• Exhibit 6 – A standalone dual servo electric core power pack which can be interfaced with a ROBOSHOT machine or alternative supplier, to enable end-users to utilise electric motor drive core solutions over traditional hydraulic cores.
• Exhibit 7 - A high-speed carbon take-out cell developed by HiTech Automation in conjunction with Fanuc, which can achieve sub 0.35s take-out times.

The event will also include a dedicated collaborative robot area, which will give attendees the chance to get up close and personal with FANUC’s new lightweight cobot, the CRX10iA. Collaborative technology is an area that has received much attention in recent months, and with exhibits including a beer pouring robot, the potential uses of cobots will be on full display.

Alongside ROBOSHOT and cobots, there will be the opportunity for visitors to look at Fanuc’s entire portfolio of industrial robots and automation solutions. The IoT Area will display software products such as MT-LINKi, ZDT (zero downtime), and IIoT platform FIELD, allowing visitors to see real-time quality, machine, and order status monitoring of all machines and robot cells.

Tom concludes: “Our hope is that this event will help to demonstrate how automation can help UK manufacturing improve its position in relation to international competitors. With a special focus on injection moulding, it will showcase the latest technology, and ultimately provide a platform for those interested in boosting productivity to explore their potential.”

To register you interest in the event and stay up-to-date with any future news, including exhibitor announcements, please visit: https://rstechnologydays.fanuc.eu/