In many instances, insert parts are placed into the mold by human hands. However, robots can also perform tasks such as loading components into the injection molding machine before part molding, as well as completing and assembling injection molded parts, without the need for human intervention. They can perform secondary tasks such as in-mold labeling, in-mold decorating, and automated insert loading.

At Alfarobot, we supply insert molding robots that are reliable, have a long life, have high speed, and have high rigidity. Our robots and their parts and motors have been inspected to ensure safety and reliability. We also offer support from the planning, and design of the robots, fabrication, installation, future maintenance, and inspection.

Feel free to contact us if you want to know more about our robots for insert molding.

3-Axis Robots

The 3-axis robots or also known as top entry robots are used for:

• top entry applications or insert molding automation on horizontal plastic injection molding machines
• operations that require higher speed

6-Axis Robots

6-axis robots or also called articulated robots can be used for flexible automation in vertical or horizontal plastic injection molding machines in order to:

• allow utilization of a larger working envelope
• increase flexibility for downstream and upstream operations

They can also be used when there are limitations on the amount of ceiling height or floor area.

4-Axis Robots

The 4-axis robots are SCARA robots used for insert unloading and loading on automated vertical plastic injection molding machines. Also, they are used for presenting a complement of inserts upstream of a 6-axis or 3-axis robot.

Robots for insert molding provide many advantages including:

• Consistency in part quality
• Reduced part variations which increase yields and reduces waste
• Reduced costs in labor, molding, and parts
• More consistent cycle times and increased machine utilization which creates a more efficient and quicker molding process
• Increased efficiency, flexibility, and productivity
• Reduced cycle time
• Reduced scrap
• Increased productivity
• Mold protection
• Positioning accuracy of ±0.1mm
• Space-saving
• Reduced total equipment cost
• Solves labor shortage problem
• High safety performance
• Ultra-high-speed operation

Insert molding or injection molding is used in many industries, particularly in industrial, medical, electronics, and automotive. And the robots are used for:

• Part & insert loading automation
• In-Mold decorating application
• Custom end-of-arm tooling
• Part handling automation
• Over-molding automation

The robots have the ability to handle many different types of inserts and materials such as:

• Shafts
• Stampings
• Threaded Inserts
• First Shot Molded Parts

Insert molding is a task that can be handled by robots. It is an injection molding process that includes enclosing an “insert” in plastic that has been molded. The insert is typically made of metal, such as a pin, threaded rod, blade, and so forth. The inserts can be placed inside the plastic molded parts after or during the process of injection molding.

Robots can unload or load vertical or horizontal injection molding machines and then add the insert to the molding. To begin the molding process, the first robot receives the inserts and loads them into the molding machine.

Take-out robots can perform the following operations:

• receiving the workpieces
• inserting workpieces into the mold
• taking out the finished products
• stocking the finished products

Their functions lead to:

• labor savings
• enhanced productivity
• stable cycle time

For the post-processing of plastic injection loading, robots are important. When compared to a human performing the same activity, robots offer higher repeatability. And by conducting numerous processes, they have flexibility. n a highly repetitive pattern, robots will continuously dispense the same amount of adhesive or sealant which leads to:

• speeding up cycle times
• minimizing waste
• increasing shot accuracy

The robots are capable of picking and placing plastic molded parts for subsequent processes including testing, inspection, and hot stamping.

They may also carry out intricate welding operations using, infrared, ultrasonic, and laser. And that will drive down the cycle times and increase the precision. Robots can also handle automated finishing tasks like polishing and PAD printing.

Furthermore, increasing production rates and decreasing costs can both be achieved by robots. They offer flexibility for high-quality storage, logistics, and packing. Also, they can free the workers from repetitive and strenuous manual labor such as palletizing, labeling, and wrapping.

Alfarobot is offering high precision and high-speed robots for various types of injection molding machines that range from 50 up to 6000T. We offer different types of robots such as full servo injection robots, take-out robots, and many more. The full servo injection robots can be used for all types of insert molding applications.

Take-Out Robot for Insert Molding

Take-out robots can perform the following operations:

• receiving the workpieces
• inserting workpieces into the mold
• taking out the finished products
• stocking the finished products

Their functions lead to:

• labor savings
• enhanced productivity
• stable cycle time

Fixed-Axis Slide Robots

The fixed-axis slide robots are commonly used for moving the inserts from a vibratory bowl into a mold loading bar. And the linear servo motors that are highly accurate drive the slide robot arms.

Linear Servo Robot

Linear servo robots remove the finished insert molded parts. Then, for traceable packaging, they deposit them by cavity into individual Lexan tubes.

Pick-and-Place Robot

Pick-and-place robots are used for loading the plastic parts into the injection molding machine. They also place the finished products onto a conveyer belt. Moreover, they can create injection-molded pieces accurately and efficiently.