Wittmann UK has designed an automated cell for its BMB 1,700-tonne injection moulding machine

Wittmann UK has designed an automated cell for its BMB 1,700-tonne injection moulding machine

Rutland Plastics has started automation of its production of large-scale mouldings. Earlier this year the UK company took delivery of a BMB 1,700-tonne injection moulding machine. The company has been working with Wittmann UK to design an automated cell for the machine.

The automated de-moulding system uses a W663 robot, one of the largest supplied by Wittmann. The company claims it can handle a maximum payload of 75kg. Engineers worked on a vacuum gripper to handle mouldings of a typical weight of 35kg. Wittmann UK managing director Barry Hill says: “The parts are heavy for manual handling, and previously required a two-man team to manage production. Now we have a solution that automatically delivers the mouldings onto a weighing scale and then – if passed fit for quality – transfers it onto a conveyor.”

The BMB injection moulding machine was designed and manufactured to Rutland Plastic’s specification, which included an injection unit with a 30kg shot capacity without the necessity of intrusion moulding. The machine also has a KW clamp system.