Cosmetic closure manufacturer specifies ATM robotics packages

Citation

(2000), "Cosmetic closure manufacturer specifies ATM robotics packages", Industrial Robot, Vol. 27 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2000.04927eaf.005

Cosmetic closure manufacturer specifies ATM robotics packages

Cosmetic closure manufacturer specifies ATM robotics packages

Keywords ATM, Automation, Robots

As part of a major investment programme, Liverpool-based HPL Jars & Containers Limited has purchased two new 205-tonne injection moulding presses with the unloading operations undertaken by servo robots supplied by Leicester-based robotics specialist, ATM Automation Limited (see Plate 4).

Plate 4 The latest investment at Liverpool-based HPL Jars & Containers Limited, who have purchased two new 205-tonne injection moulding presses with the unloading operations undertaken by servo robots supplied by Leicester-based robotics specialist, ATM Automation Limited

HPL is acknowledged as one of the UK's leading suppliers of plastic jars – of both standard and customised designs injection moulded from either polypropylene or SAN. The latest £ø million investment in presses and robotics will maintain its market dominance and create the capacity to increase output of thick wall, "glass equivalent" jars, which are primarily manufactured for the cosmetic industry.

The new Krauss-Maffei presses are each fitted with the recently introduced ATM ES1000 robots equipped with ATM's ES controllers, which feature a fully integrated PC and offer full sequence/programme simulation, fault diagnosis and on-board technical manual.

HPL specified the presses and robotics individually – as opposed to purchasing a "package" – having satisfied itself that the ATM robots and controllers offered the vital combination of reliability in operation coupled with programming simplicity.

Production management at the plant – which employs 80 personnel – were looking to create a high quality, high speed component unloading operation with the human element reduced to a minimum.

"We are a 24-hour a day, seven-day a week operation and reliability in the manufacturing operations is of uttermost importance to us," explains HPL's Production Director Nigel Hemmings.

"When assessing robot availability, it soon became apparent that ATM has considerable hands-on experience in high volume manufacturing operations and being UK based it was able to ensure a rapid after-sales response.

"In addition, it has been instrumental in putting its experience to good use in offering valuable input into the design and control of our down-stream packaging operations – all of which combine to create a highly satisfactory robotics and support package," he explains.

The ATM Automation ES1000S servo robots are a result of 15 years of evolution by ATM having been updated to offer a more streamlined appearance and make use of light alloy for all of the moving components resulting in a substantially lighter unit offering high speed cycling.

The ES1000S uses the latest control technology to move in "timesave" mode in which the integral robotic intelligence can calculate and programme for forthcoming movements.

This results in a smoother, rounded movement when performing operations demanding a change of direction, thereby saving time on a conventional robotic movement.

The ES control system comprises an updated PC-based touch-screen programmer with off-line capability and an operator station, either of which can be connected to the robot for online programming and offers the ability for a real time modem link with the robot controller.

"The manufacturing operations feature a high level of computer programming and control and we have found the ATM controllers to be reliable and easy to use in both programming and manufacturing environments," concludes Nigel Hemmings.

For further information: Robert Hopper, ATM Automations. Tel: +44 (0)116 227 3607.