New plastics partnership for Toshiba

Citation

(2000), "New plastics partnership for Toshiba", Industrial Robot, Vol. 27 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2000.04927aab.002

New plastics partnership for Toshiba

New plastics partnership for Toshiba

Keywords: Toshiba, Plastics, Systems integration

Toshiba has entered into an unusual partnership with robotic systems integrator Wittmann (UK) Ltd to create complete component moulded part handling, assembly, labelling and packing systems.

In what first appears an unlikely move, the Japanese giant has teamed up with the UK applications arm of a 25-year-old Austrian robot manufacturer, to build loading/pick-and-place systems for customers in the components moulding field, incorporating both its own SCARA robots and Wittmann Linear CNC robots (see Plate 1).

Wittmann's expertise lies in designing and building robot systems for putting onto injection moulding machines, making a wide range of components, from car bumpers and trims to mobile phone fascias. The Wittmann CNC robot generally picks out the moulded component and moves it to a labelling, packing, vision inspection, barcoding or similar process, working over long and intense schedules.

Today, however, in many industries, and in the motor industry particularly, moulded components are delivered with rivets, screws, etc. in place and bearing any necessary labelling, such as a CE mark. Wittmann realised that the moulding processes it designs would benefit from the addition of a machine performing this assembly function, affording its CNC robot the time to perform a more extensive pick and place duty. This might be removing the part from the mould, carrying it to an assembly point, retrieving it and then moving it on to a labelling or packing point, for example.

Toshiba forged a connection with Wittmann in November 1998 and that arrangement has now become a formal partnership in robotics, giving Toshiba the power to exploit further markets in moulded part assembly, using the speed and accuracy of the SCARA robot. Speaking about the partnership, Toshiba's Nigel Smith said: "We are delighted to have Wittmann as a Toshiba Integrator because the arrangement reinforces Toshiba's aim to forge a Europe-wide presence in all major vertical markets, encompassing all aspects of the robotics spectrum."

Wittman offers a complete bespoke CAD design, build and installation service, based on its robot's very high speed three-axis capability, with options for a fourth CNC axis bearing handling and tooling extensions. Teaming up with the SCARA gives Wittmann tremendous flexibility of design and a genuine new dimension in system capability, enabling it to deliver increasingly adaptable and cost-effective systems.

For further information contact Nigel Knapp, Toshiba International (Europe) Limited, 1 Roundwood Avenue, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB11 1AR. Tel: +44 (0) 181 756 6000; Fax: +44 (0) 181 848 4969.