Automation of injection molding

Client Introduction

Our client specializes in supplying mechatronic and plastic components for the automotive industry.

Challenge

Challenge: Optimizing the infeed and outfeed of products at an injection molding machine, considering limited available floor space, a required autonomy of 8 hours, and the need to increase both production capacity and product quality.

Solution

To make optimal use of space while allowing for future capacity expansions, we chose to install the entire custom automation system on a platform above the injection molding machine. This approach significantly reduces the floor space required.

Our automation solution is an integrated system where various components work together:

• Kuka robots
• Vision systems and UV laser marking from Keyence
• Servodrives and motors from SEW
• Beckhoff controller to manage the entire process

The process begins with a 3D bin-picking system that retrieves films from a tray. The quality and orientation of the film are then determined. A Kuka KR22 robot simultaneously feeds the films into the injection molding machine and removes the finished products. The linescan camera inspects the quality of the finished products, followed by a UV laser that applies a QR code with a serial number. Finally, the products are packaged in trays, ready for delivery to the end customer.