Specific Process Knowledge/Back-end processing/Polymer Injection Molder/Robot: Difference between revisions

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== Robot sample pickup ==
== Robot sample pickup ==


Demolding is the process of opening the mold and thereby pulling the sample off the shim. Many of the previously mentioned parameter will influence the demolding process. Generally, the higher the mold temperature, faster injection speed and higher switchover/after pressure, the more difficult it can be to demold the sample.
Once the sample has been ejected from the mold it is ready for pick-up by the robot. Once the pick-up process works without major problems it is not necessary to make adjustment. In some cases however, it may be desirable to make adjustments:


The demolding settings are can be found on the 'Mold open' screen:
*The robot sometimes misses a sample
*The mold opening stroke or the ejector advanced position was changed
*You want to change the way the samples are placed on the conveyor belt


[[File:08_robot.png|600px|thumb|left|Parameters for opening the mold is found on the 'Mold Open' screen.]]
The button in the bottom left corner of the screen is a toggle button that changes the entire left column of buttons between injection molding parameters and robot settings. Press it once to show robot setting icons and press it again to go back to injection molding parameter icons. When the robot icons are selected the 'Take-off' screen can be selected (press the third button from the top):
 
[[File:08_robot.png|600px|thumb|left|The Take-off screen contains parameters for robot positions and speeds relevant for sample removal.]]
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*'''Opening profile''': A constant speed can be set using the '=' button or the arrows. Alternatively individual points of the graph can be edited. If samples tend to break during demolding it might help lowering the opening speed. In general the speed should be low towards the end position (fully open position) to avoid violently slamming the mold against the end stop.
*'''Opening profile''': A constant speed can be set using the '=' button or the arrows. Alternatively individual points of the graph can be edited. If samples tend to break during demolding it might help lowering the opening speed. In general the speed should be low towards the end position (fully open position) to avoid violently slamming the mold against the end stop.

Revision as of 13:31, 8 February 2018

Robot sample pickup

Once the sample has been ejected from the mold it is ready for pick-up by the robot. Once the pick-up process works without major problems it is not necessary to make adjustment. In some cases however, it may be desirable to make adjustments:

  • The robot sometimes misses a sample
  • The mold opening stroke or the ejector advanced position was changed
  • You want to change the way the samples are placed on the conveyor belt

The button in the bottom left corner of the screen is a toggle button that changes the entire left column of buttons between injection molding parameters and robot settings. Press it once to show robot setting icons and press it again to go back to injection molding parameter icons. When the robot icons are selected the 'Take-off' screen can be selected (press the third button from the top):

The Take-off screen contains parameters for robot positions and speeds relevant for sample removal.



  • Opening profile: A constant speed can be set using the '=' button or the arrows. Alternatively individual points of the graph can be edited. If samples tend to break during demolding it might help lowering the opening speed. In general the speed should be low towards the end position (fully open position) to avoid violently slamming the mold against the end stop.


  • Mold stroke position: This value defines how far the mold opens. It should generally be avoided to open the mold all the way to the end position, since this causes the mold to bang violently into the end stop. If this happens (you hear a bang every time the mold reaches the open position) decrease the mold stroke position by a few millimeter (e.g. change the stroke from 235 mm to 232 mm). Remember that changing the opening stroke will also change to robot's take-off position, so remember to adjust the take off position accordingly.


  • Sequence settings: These settings change how the robot is allowed to move around the mold. These settings should generally not be changed (be very careful if you do) to avoid crashing the robot into the mold.