As part of its campaign to continue to be at the forefront of plastic moulding technology, ARBURG Ltd held an ‘automation seminar’ at its UK headquarters in Warwick on the 25thApril.
 
With over 80 attendees from various sectors in the industry a number of presentations were made, both by ARBURG Ltd and other industry spokesmen, including ATM Automation Ltd, Piovan and the Carbon Trust.
 
The seminar was introduced with a welcome from Colin Tirel, Managing Director, ARBURG Ltd, who provided the theme of the day – competitive challenges to the plastics industry in the UK and Ireland; managing growth and competitive challenges in the industry and the need to provide realistic technical solutions.
 
Colin spoke briefly about the background to ARBURG’s own achievements, delivering quality, high specification and competitive products such as the globally successful GOLDEN EDITION range of machines, launched in 2006 to celebrate ARBURG’s 50 years of injection moulding manufacturing, and how ARBURG has maintained its leading position in the market place. A well known  company founded on a reputation and philosophy of strength, flexibility, organisation and the commitment that is associated with a family run business.
 
Colin commented: “ARBURG believes in its long term strategy, based on mutually beneficial long-term relationships, one example of this strategy is the new ‘Customer Centre’ in Lossburg, Germany, tangible evidence of our dedication to outstanding customer service”.
 
Gary Blackett, ARBURG Technical Support Engineer, then made a presentation on the ARBURG MULTILIFT robot range, highlighting its ‘logical graphic sequence programming’ functionality, the reduced learning curve for existing SELOGICA users, integrated with the ARBURG SELOGICA control system bringing the advantage of a totally integrated system that can be offered with the different variants of the MULTILIFT systems across the range.
 
Gary described the advanced options delivered by the MULTILIFT: “With our robot technology, we are able to deliver the fully automated turn-key solutions, combined with the benefits of the SELOGICA control system, which has been made even simpler to use.  In particular, the HV is the result of the synergy of both the horizontal and vertical designs, allowing for reduced head height with the all important speed of entry and low cycle times, whilst remaining financially competitive.”
 
He then went onto show a number of examples where ARBURG robotic systems have played their part in achieving savings for customers allowing them to remain competitive.
 
Jason Shuttlewood, ATM Automation Ltd described their Leicester-based production facility with its 2000 sq metres of build capacity and in-house design capability, which manufactures robots, gripping systems, fixtures and automatic cells, the essential additions to effective and efficient injection moulding operations.  ATM has developed a strong reputation based on its six-axis robots, combining accuracy and repeatability, with an emphasis on ‘future-proofing’ design.  The organisations products are especially valuable when considerations of space saving is a key factor in the purchase design making process.
 
Jason added: “Articulated robot installation, through six-axis robot cells, can deliver de-moulding, marking and palletising in a single operation.  This synchronisation of processes is significant in our current climate of cost-saving initiatives and latest thinking in production engineering techniques.”
 
Simon Wrighton, Sales Manager, ARBURG Ltd, focused on the ARBURG ALLDRIVE electric range: “We supply a wide range from 50-200 tonnes clamp force, and are particularly proud of the robust, reliable and high load capacity that our machines offer.  He went on to present an overview of the ALLDRIVE range  machines together with a detailed look at the advantages and differing drive methods. A main topic within the presentation was a number of case studies where energy savings could be derived for the customer, but also underlined the fact that ARBURG can offer the technology to suit the customer’s technical requirements. “Our electric machines are fast and accurate delivering high quality performance, with the ALLDRIVE providing numerous optimisation options with respect to cycle times”.
 
“ARBURG has, through its continuous technological development and attention to evolving customer requirements, become a world-leader in plastic moulding.  It will continue to support its growing client base through its customer-focused training programmes and extensive after-sales service.”
 
The Carbon Trust helps businesses and public sector organisations reduce energy costs to combat climate change through free, professional advice and support.
 
The Trust provides energy-efficiency loans to eligible S.M.E businesses, to assist in projects that will result in a reduction in carbon emissions associated with an applicant’s site.  This can include the purchase of injection moulding machinery. ARBURG has been working extensively with the Carbon trust for over three years and to date has assisted many customers to successfully apply for these interest free loans. For further details of the application process and support that is available, visit www.carbon trust.co.uk or you can contact ARBURG Ltd.
 
Nick Fox, General Manager, Piovan, completed the proceedings with a presentation on material drying and automatic polymer conveying systems – and energy savings that could be achieved through Priovan’s promo-action technology and application.
 
Throughout the day the delegates had the opportunity to see a number of practical demonstrations including seven ARBURG machines in the two showrooms; a ARBURG 100 tonne machine equipped with a MULTILIFT H robot system integrated with an ATM six axis robot, two ARBURG ALLDRIVE electric, three ARBURG Golden Edition machines, and a live demonstration of the ARBURG remote diagnostic system.