Product category:
Robotics, Handling and Storage
News Release from: Wittmann UK | Subject: 7-Series robots
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 10 November 2005
Innovations in mid-range linear robotics
unveiled
Wittmann used the Fakuma plastics exhibition in Friederichshafen, Germany, to unveil a host of new products in robotics, materials drying and handling, and mould temperature control.
Leading automation and plastics ancillary equipment supplier Wittmann used last month's Fakuma plastics exhibition in Friederichshafen, Germany, to unveil a host of new products in robotics, materials drying and handling and mould temperature control, as well as innovation in electronics and wireless operations Wittmann is currently expanding its production facilities in its Vienna headquarters, in its satellite plants in Hungary and, most recently, in mainland China where production of all the company's products is set to grow
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 9 Aug 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Wittmann UK Managing Director, Barry Hill, said: "For us, the Interplas 05 show at the NEC in early October was a commercial engine: it gave us a good number of new enquiries which we are now converting to orders".
"The Fakuma exhibition, however, was a showcase for our leading-edge design and innovations".
"We now also have several exciting new products which are ready to market globally over the coming weeks and months".
Chief among Wittmann's new robot offerings for the global plastics processing industries are the new mid-range linear robots from Wittmann's new 7 series - the W731 with a 10kg payload, W733 with telescopic vertical arm and 15kg payload and W743 for mounting on injection moulding machines up to 1200tons clamping force and a payload of 35kg.
The model W732 robot is available with 20kg of payload for insert applications or for the use of heavier End-Of-Arm Tools (EOATs) with shorter vertical strokes.
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Wittmann reckons its newly designed 7 Series of linear robots are its best performing and most competitively priced robots yet.
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Wittmann has added a number of innovations to its range of vacuum loaders for central materials handling systems for the plastics processing sector with the Feedmax A Series.
Robot boasts 2000t clamping force
The payload and injection moulding machine size range for the new 7-Series of Wittmann linear robots has been increased with the Model W753 Compact S3 to include large tonnage injection moulding.
The robots of the mid-sise range offer a horizontal stroke up to 4000mm.
The vertical axis, depending on robot model, can reach up to 2600mm.
In order to minimise the mould opening motion for shortest part removal times, all units are equipped with a compact, self-locking part swivel axis.
All 7-Series robots are equipped with a low-maintenance bearing system with extended lubrication intervals, for minimum machine downtime.
The new robots expect similar success to others in the 7-Series range.
Immediately after their release in October 2004, the robot models W711 and W721 were extremely well received by customers worldwide.
This is partly due to the performance/price ratio, but also to the employment of state-of-the-art technology, which is a necessity for customers wanting to optimise space and resources in competitive plastics moulding shops.
Similar in design to its predecessors, the Wittmann mid-size robots are equipped with a unique moveable kick-stroke axis in order to achieve the most balanced load on the linear guides and therefore, long life expectancy of the entire guide system.
Additional advantages of the moveable kick-stroke are an unlimited workspace in front of the vertical arm, a short adapter height and a low overall height of the unit.
The vertical axes of these robots have been developed for highly dynamic operation.
Each consists of a thin-walled, rib-reinforced profile, which combine excellent stiffness and lightweight construction.
This results in the fastest vibration-free removal motions and guarantees the highest productivity on the moulding machine.
A new standard feature of all 7-Series robots is the programmable disengagement of the kick-stroke axis to facilitate removal of plastic parts.
This feature relieves the user from the need to program an exact part removal position.
After the finalisation of the ejector motion the robot can resume the control over the axis motion and continue with the programmed sequence.
Like other 7-Series robots from Wittmann, the new mid-range robots offer several saving innovations as standard: firstly, because of the state-of-the-art compact servo modules and their integration on the robot itself, the need for a floor mounted external control cabinet is eliminated.
The integrated control cabinet is mounted behind the horizontal axis for floor space savings and allows the electrical connection of external I/O-modules via a bus cable for the direct control of all attached peripheral equipment.
All 7-Series robots are equipped as a standard with three servo drives for extremely short part removal times.
As an option, additional rotational axes can be added for palletising or reorientation of parts.
All 7-series robots are also equipped as standard with the flexible, freely programmable CNC 6.2 control system that can be upgraded for a small charge to the R7-TouchScreen control for maximum programming flexibility.
The choice of control systems is already well proven for the 6- and 7-Series robots and offers unlimited user programming flexibility.
Because of consistent use of the same control platform across all Wittmann robot lines no additional training is necessary and pre-existing programs can be used as templates for new sequences.
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