ROBOTS

HI-MORE ROBOT CO., LTD., TAIWAN

COMPANY BACKGROUND

> Hi-More specializes in providing automation robots for injection moulding machines.

> Company started operations in 1980 to provide robot technology services to HARMO of Japan.

> Today they are partners to some of the leading international brands such as CONAIR, SEPRO, HARMO & SAILOR.

> Hi-More offers a wide range of robots including one axis sprue picker, 2-3 axis all servo robots & hybrid-servo robots, 3-5 axis servo robots, in-mould labeling (IML) etc.

BENEFITS OF ROBOTS

1. Consistent Cycle Time

TRADITIONAL WAY: Manual pick and place usually results in variable cycle time on different cycles. For example, for a product with 8 second cycle time, actual cycle time may range from 9 second to 25 second depending on operation’s working condition and operator’s mood.

ROBOT: Robot would pick and place finished parts at the same speed on every cycle. Using Robot, the cycle time range would be 8 +/- 0.1 second for a product with 8 second cycle time. Consistent cycle time improves the part quality.

2. Higher Production Efficiency

TRADITIONAL WAY: Due to inconsistent cycle time during manual take-out, production output is also inconsistent.

ROBOT: Robot requires smaller mould opening than manual operation. This means shorter cycle time and higher production efficiency.

3. Better Part Surface Finish

TRADITIONAL WAY: On some moulding process, the part surface might be too hot for operator to contact without protection tools like gloves. These protection tools sometimes damage part surface finish.

ROBOT: Robot always guarantees the best possible part surface finish. On some moulding process, the part surface does not allow grease or oil residue. This kind of production usually requires Robot to do the pick and place task.

4. Robot Separates Sprue-Runner and Parts

TRADITIONAL WAY: Sprue-runner and parts have to be separated manually.

ROBOT: Robot can be designed to pick sprue-runner and parts and release them at different locations.

5. Robot Communicates with Machine

TRADITIONAL WAY: Manual sorting of defective parts is more tedious and the efficiency is low.

ROBOT: When a short shot happens, injection moulding machine sends out “REJECT PART” permissive to Robot. Robot receives this reject part signal and will release the short-shot-cycle parts in different location. This feature minimizes the defective rate to almost zero.

6. Robot Prevents Mould Damages

TRADITIONAL WAY: Without Robot, sprue or part might still hang over mould when mould closes. This usually results in significant mould damages.

ROBOT: With Robot, Robot control system ensures all sprue-runner and/or parts are picked before taking out of mould area. If not all sprue-runner and parts are sensed, Robot stops and alarms. Unless Robot arm is in safe zone, Robot control system doesn’t allow injection moulding machine to close moulds.

7. Lower Operation Cost

Despite India being a low-labour-cost market, Robot still works out to be more economical. Here is how it works out:

Robot’s minimum life expectancy is 5 to 10 years.

Robot works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Robot doesn’t complain, neither quits.

Robot doesn’t require a lot of training.

Robot doesn’t have union problem.

Robot doesn’t ask for salary increase.

Robot doesn’t need vacations.

Robot doesn’t have working attitude problems

COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS (Cycle Time: 8 sec)

Benefit = extra production x C

(C: cost per piece of extra production)

In above example, Robot cost benefit = 2,001,300 x C

Note: The table above is for reference purpose only.

VIDEO LINK

Please click here for video of Hi-More Sprue Picker Robot.

Please click here for video of Hi-More Take Out Robot.

CONTACT

Please click Contact Us to get in touch for more details. You may also visit Hi-More website at www.hi-more.com.