Robots at the factory

In the January issue of the International Plastics News-Middle East and Africa, we focuses on the Middle East and African region's efforts to improve production processes through automation. With production technologies increasingly incorporating automation into some aspects of the processes, a great deal of attention has been given in launching automation solutions that would enable efficient, high-speed production that is able to yield quality products.

Robots are increasingly employed by plastic manufacturers who want to take advantage of the benefits automated solutions can bring into their operations - improvement in plant efficiency, lower energy and operating costs, and minimal impact tot he environment.

The possibilities for employing robots in the plastics industry are limitless. Automation equipment and robots are used in almost all areas of production for their flexibility, speed and efficiency even in demanding and complex production processes. Plastics applications continue to grow and replace traditional materials, like glass and metal. It is above all requirements in terms of precision and repeatability in processing operations that play an important role in the manufacture of plastic materials and products – an ideal environment for the implementation of robot-based automation systems.

As a supplier of industrial robots, KUKA Roboter GmbH is a member of the VDMA’s Blue Competence initiative and remains actively committed to energy efficiency and sustainability. Integrating industrial robots into the production plant can be one of the most cost effective methods of improving profitability. KUKA Roboter’s KR QUANTEC shelf-mounted robots, comprise 11 models in two product lines - KR QUANTEC K prime and KR QUANTEC K ultra.

Rüdiger Sonntag, Key Technology Manager Plastics at KUKA Robotics, commented on the growing importance of articulated robots for the industry by suggesting on the concrete advantages robots offer along with greater flexibility. “Jointed-arm robots can – for instance when working with an injection moulding machine – repeat programmed steps very precisely. It doesn’t matter if this is during loading, unloading, cutting, flame-machining, milling or any kind of handling. The quality remains constant, even after thousands of cycles. And last but not least, robots can be used flexibly. You don’t buy one like a machine whose production parameters are difficult to adjust. Our robot programming allows you to react flexibly to changing production conditions and to an increasing range of products.”