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Absolute Robot Inc. (ARI) has upgraded its Max series of full-servo top-entry (cartesian) robots with enhanced controls and increased traverse speeds. The improvements will allow the Max series to handle more complex automation tasks and reduce cycle times, said ARI. 

The upgrades include “Y-Free” robot takeout functionality and expanded control axes.

The Y-Free function reduces the amount of time the robot sits within the mold area by synchronizing its movements with parts takeout as they are being ejected. Since the robot no longer waits for the ejectors to fully advance forward before grabbing the part, overall cycle time is reduced.

Control axes have been expanded from 5 previously to 16, allowing for additional movements of the robotic arm as well as the ability to control downstream automation. The upgrade turns a relatively simple robot into a highly capable one that can spin, grab, flip, and re-orient parts in exponentially more ways, said ARI. The layout, programming, and form factor of the robot remain the same, which keeps the robots affordable and easier to operate than a floor-mounted 6-axis robot arm, added the company. 

As part of the enhancement program, the new generation robots are equipped with higher performing ASDA A3 servo drives (updated from ASDA A2 drives). The new servo drives deliver a 10 to 15% increase in speed. Advantages include improved, consistent cycle times through simplification of downstream operations and reduced molding, labor, and part costs, said ARI.

To learn about other recent advances in robotics relevant to plastics processors, check out: “Robots, They’re (Almost) Just Like Us.”