Handling and Automation with Low Cost Robotic for the Plastics Industry

Automated machine loading, component handling or pick & place processes can significantly increase efficiency in the production of plastic components in the plastics industry.
With our modular and customised low-cost automation products, these automation processes can be quickly adapted to different requirements and thus react flexibly to new developments in processing concepts.
In our products for handling in the plastics industry, such as the articulated arm or gantry robots, pick & place units or sprue pickers, the moving components are made of tribologically optimised plastic. Thanks to lubricant-free dry operation, they are maintenance-free, insensitive to dust, resistant to media and highly rigid even at high speeds. The lightweight design also enables weight and cost savings.

The IAP1 sprue picker

< 2,000 Euro entry-level price

We have developed the low-cost sprue picker for more economical production: It removes and separates sprues directly in the injection moulding machine - this saves costs that would otherwise be incurred for subsequent separation and other manual handling tasks. This means that the costs can be amortised after just a few months.

Learn more about the sprue picker

Areas of application for Low Cost Automation in the plastics industry

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Machine loading**
robolink® multi-axis articulated robots with a payload of up to 3 kg provide support in handling automation around the injection moulding machine, for example in machine loading for the overmoulding of inserts in the injection moulding process.

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Insertion / removal of injection moulded parts**
Our compact sprue picker is used on more than 60 machines in production and separates the sprue and component in just 1.25 seconds. The insertion of punched parts and the removal of injection moulded parts is also automated using robolink® multi-axis robots.

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End of the line / Assembly**
robolink® multi-axis joint robot with matching control system and drylin® delta robot as a pick & place unit jointly assemble the plastic parts (here: energy chain) in a cycle time of less than 1.8 seconds. The chain assembly cell is automated, lubrication-free and maintenance-free.

Products for the automation of processes in the plastics machinery industry

ReBeL®: The lightweight robot for pick & place application

Quick and easy automation at the injection moulding machine: the ReBeL® cobot is designed to achieve this goal. The cost-effective lightweight robot - the lightest of its kind - can be ordered with or without a control system and is made up of maintenance-free individual components.

Find out more about the ReBeL® lightweight robot

Pre-assembled energy chain

Pre-assembled energy supply systems, e.g. for handling robots on the injection moulding machine
Delivered in 3-10 days

Find out more about readychain

sprue picker IAP1

For lateral engagement in stripper and ejector moulds
Total opening to closing cycle in 1.25 s

Learn more about the sprue picker

Linear gantries

Standard programme dispatched in 24 hours
Individually configurable
load up to 75 kg, stroke up to 6 m

Learn more about drylin linear robots

robolink® 4 and 5 DOF

Reach 620 and 790 mm
max. Payload 3 kg
With and without integrated control system

Learn more about robolink

pick & place delta robot

As a kit or pre-assembled
Reach 360 / 660 mm
Pick rate of 60/min.

Learn more about the drylin delta robot

Break resistant data cable

Sold by the metre or assembled
Suitable for high loads
Fail-safe with 36 months warranty

Learn more about chainflex data cables

Application examples

Cable guidance for removal robot in injection moulding machine

Hekuma's high-performance automation systems for the plastics industry operate with cycle times every second. For the energy supply system of the grippers, this means that the first million strokes will be achieved after only four to six weeks - and that with heat, high acceleration and movement in two axes. This is where our chainflex cables and e-chains prove their worth.

Learn more about this application

Room linear robot for pick & place application in logistics

In this setup, a suction gripper was installed on a drylin room linear robot to pile up parcels for further dispatch. This allows for a quick and cost-effective realisation of logistics processes in warehouses.

Condition monitoring and predictive maintenance: smart plastic for energy chain and bearings

Smart energy supply

Sensors that can be integrated into the chain or cable measure wear or tensile and shear forces, for example.

Learn more now

Smart bearing technology

Wear measurements on plain bearings and sliding foils that are difficult to access in the machine design.

Learn more now

Discover smart complete sets now

igus® blogs: Important trends and topics relating to automation solutions

What is Low Cost Automation and what do I get for my money?

Maximum degree of automation at minimum cost. Is it possible? In the process steps of plastics production, from feeding and the insertion of stamped parts or the removal of the finished injection moulded parts right up to installation offers great potential for automation.

Learn more about the topic here

Compact sprue picker with fast ROI

A sprue picker enables the automated removal and separation of sprues directly in the injection moulding machine, thus saving considerable production costs. Our specially developed sprue picker is already used in our in-house production on more than 60 injection moulding machines. An investment that has paid for itself after only a few months.

Learn more about the topic here

Automation in the plastics industry with Low Cost Automation

Automated plastics production is well advanced in the area of injection moulding machines and extruders, whether for feeding, in component handling or in pick & place operations. Find out how our multi-axis articulated robots and delta robots are also used as sprue pickers in our own production in this blog post.

Learn more about the topic here