Natech, a contract development and manufacturing firm, has installed a 470E 112-tonne Arburg with an integrated robot, Nissei FNX280 with a YCII-250 servo-driven take-out Yushin robot, and Nissei FNX360 with a YCII-400 servo-driven take-out Yushin robot.
The new Arburg and Nissei presses give engineers and operators more opportunities to efficiently run scientific moulding. Scientific moulding is a data-driven approach that develops a reliable and repeatable process with little to no variation. Scientific moulding optimises the tool design and validates the part’s end use.
“Because of the machine’s new technology, we can develop more stable processes. This ensures the processes will yield quality parts for clients,” Domingo Hernandez, plant manager of Natech said.
The new Arburg press has faster robot to machine integration and helps to improve cycle times. Natech found that there was a four second difference in cycle time compared to the machine it replaced. New machines that improve speed and efficiency ensure clients can receive their parts faster.
Natech’s automation engineer, Sarah Worsham, programmed the machine to run automatically. “With a fully automatic process, the robot picks up the parts to put them on the conveyor. A fully automatic process helps produce the most parts per minute,” Worsham said.
Compared to the machine it replaced, the Nissei presses run bigger and smaller moulds. With multiple machines that can run bigger moulds, Natech has a more flexible schedule and clients don’t have to wait because a machine isn’t available to run their product.
In addition to the injection moulding machines, Natech purchased new auxiliary equipment, including two DRI-AIR dryers, which dry, mix, and blend plastic resins.
The three previous machines will be utilised at Natech’s mould-making facility for mould sampling and production. Natech has a total of 19 injection moulding presses between their three facilities. With these machines, Natech has the capacity and capability to tackle complex projects with current and new customers.