The cell also provides flexibility, as it can also be designed with different mounting stands to allow smaller footprints, integrated conveyor systems, or other downstream equipment needed for pre or post moulding automation. The robots can be programmed to work together or can run individually, when one robot can be used when standard two plate moulds are run in the same machine.

When looking at stack mould applications, moulders normally opt for a dual vertical arm robot to provide automated part handling. However, the issues with dual vertical arm top entry robots are the speed and payload needed for such applications.

Beacon Manufacturing Group has acquired precision molder Acromatic Plastics and will make the 110,000-square-foot facility available to its Beacon MedTech Solutions business to support future growth plans. The company has also entered into a partnership agreement with Sumitomo Demag to purchase several injection molding machines, with the first two expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Now known as Beacon Engineered Solutions, Acromatic Plastics will continue to provide its customers with the high-quality products, components, services, and support that they have come to expect from this mixed-use facility. Customers will benefit from expanded molding capabilities and engineering services, as well as Beacon Engineered Solutions’ track record of success in launching custom, complex, precision-molded products and component assemblies for use across a broad range of industries and end-use applications, said Beacon in its press release.

By incorporating dual high-speed top entry robots, this type of cell allows for faster cycle times, lower payload requirements, and flexible process flow.

“Customers often call asking for dual vertical arm robots to run stack moulds, but in most cases the high-speed top entry robot cells have proven to be more robust and quicker for those applications,” said Jason Long, national sales manager, robots and automation for WITTMANN. “A lot of moulders who are not stack mould experts do not think of this out of the box until we share it with them, as these type of dual robot cells are unique to WITTMANN.”

Decades of application experience, innovative developments and more than 35,000 produced units have made the WITTMANN robots what they are today – the most reliable and innovative robots for the plastics industry.  Well planned detailed solutions and state-of-the art components allow highest reliability, shortest cycles and long intervals between maintenance.

The standard WITTMANN high-speed robots can be mounted to run even the most complex stack mould applications. These cells normally can offer cycle times of 7-12+ seconds, without requiring special robots or causing abnormal wear and tear on dual vertical arm robots, which is the case for robots not designed for quicker cycles.

Plans are underway to add cleanroom capacity and build out Beacon’s tooling and liquid silicone rubber (LSR) molding capabilities at the facility in Leominster, MA. This will enable Beacon MedTech to meet demand for its contract manufacturing services and precision molded products, components, and sub-assemblies for single-use and Class II medical devices and other life science applications.

“We’re committed to expanding our footprint, scale, and capabilities to support our customers’ growth and are enthused that capacity upgrades, leasehold improvements, and new equipment installations are scheduled to be completed during the first half of 2022,” said Bob May, CEO of Beacon Manufacturing Group. “At the same time, we are pleased to offer Acromatic’s customers greater access to expanded capabilities, engineering resources, and services.”

WITTMANN USA, a manufacturer of injection moulding machines, robots and auxiliary equipment, has developed a custom robot solution targeting stack mould applications.