Six axis robot represents major development in European robot market

The TV800 EZCell robot, was launched in the UK by TM Robotics (Europe) at the latter end of last year, being the first six axis robot ever manufactured by Toshiba Machine. The TV800 EZCell robot represents a significant development in the automation market, because Toshiba Machine is now one of the only major players in the industry to offer a complete range of robot technologies - SCARA, Cartesian and six axis. Ideal for the XXX sector, the robot will find uses in a host of XXX applications.

The TV800 has a total arm length of 800mm, a reach of 892mm and a composite maximum speed of 8.06 metres per second. The robot has a maximum cycle time of 0.4 to 0.5 seconds, repeatability of ±0.02mm and a maximum payload of five kilograms. Its controlled using Toshiba Machine's TS3100 controller, which is programmed in SCOL, a language similar to BASIC as are all Toshiba Machine industrial robots, and has the option of a teach pendant for easy access outside the robot cell. (Refer to picture on the right).

The TV800 completes the set for Toshiba Machine's, meaning that TM Robotics (Europe) offer the widest range of SCARA robots on the market, a Cartesian solution that can be configured in literally hundreds of ways and a six axis robot that can be compared with the very best in its class. Coupled with the ability of our IP65 SCARA robot to compete, on an equal footing, with flexipickers in industries such as food and pharmaceuticals, its range now feels whole.

The new six axis robot uses an absolute position detection system, with a robust AC motor at its heart. Axes one to six offer working envelopes of ±170º, -100 - +150º, -127 - +167º, ±190º, ±120º and ±360º respectively. They also feature maximum speeds of 237º/S, 240º/S, 288º/S, 350.5º/S, 484º/S, and 576º/S respectively. The allowable moment of inertia on axis four and five is 0.3kg · m² and on axis six its 0.5kg · m².

TM Robotics in profile
TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine's SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

For further information, e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk or view website: www.tmrobotics.co.uk and www.abot.eu.com

MasterMover goes green with Bentley Motors

By investing in an electric-powered, pedestrian-operated tug, Bentley Motors has reduced deliveries of leather to its Crewe plant by 50 per cent, improving the company's environmental rating, whilst doubling leather handling productivity.

"We needed a compact machine to do a big job and, as a responsible business, we weren't prepared to let our staff manually handle the larger loads," says Stephen Taylor, Project Manager of Product Optimisation Engineering at luxury carmaker Bentley Motors.

He continues: "Our risk assessment identified the potential for strains, pulls and fatigue, so a powered unit was going to be the only solution. The MT3 [from MasterMover] was identified as being powerful enough to pull the load, but narrow enough to work in the restricted space and to be stored neatly away from the production line, when not in use. The machine has not only eliminated the health and safety issues for us, but it has also helped us to double productivity for this process and improve our environmental rating."

Bentley Motors already used several electric-powered, pedestrian-operated tugs supplied by MasterMover at the state of the art manufacturing facility in Crewe. Stephen Taylor was looking for a similar handling machine in order to double the capacity of the company's 'A'-frame hide horses, which are used on a daily basis to transfer leather to the cutting area for preparation. This leather is then cut to shape for use on the car's interior.

In a move designed to cut the company's carbon footprint, the P.K.O. (Product Kosten Optimisation) team at Bentley identified that it could reduce the weekly delivery of leather from two wagons down to one. By simply doubling the number of hides on each 'horse' from 60kg to 120kg, the delivery miles would reduce by 50% - a green credential for any manufacturer to be proud of. However, this left the team with another problem to solve. With the weight of each 'A' frame horse increased from around 200kg to 400kg, the team could not expect staff to manually handle these heavy loads. A forklift truck was also not an option because of restrictions in operational space, so Bentley turned to MasterMover to recommend a solution.

The MasterTug MT3 from MasterMover, is used for   manoeuvring the vehicle bodies and heavy leather handling duties.

The MasterTug MT3 from MasterMover, already a known quantity at Bentley for manoeuvring vehicle bodies, was identified as the best tool for the job. The machine's compact size and manoeuvrability were particularly appealing to Taylor, since space was at a premium in the cutting area of the production floor. 

The MT3 can push, pull and steer wheeled and semi-wheeled loads up to 2,400kg in weight. The machine's patented technology moves the weight of the load on to the drive wheel through a coupling system, thereby ensuring maximum traction from a very light and manoeuvrable machine. Very simple to operate and with a range of integrated safety features, the machine is ideal for use in busy manufacturing environments where space is at a premium.

Hugh Freer, Sales & Marketing Manager at MasterMover is delighted to be working with Bentley again: "MasterMover is proud to be a British manufacturer ourselves and to supply one of the icons of the British automotive sector is always a rewarding experience. I'm particularly pleased that as well as enabling production efficiencies, our equipment is also playing a part in Bentleys carbon reduction programme."

For further information on the MasterTug MT3 or to arrange a free product demonstration, email: info@mastermover.com   Refer to page 60

DSM Elastomers has formally presented its first EPDM
grade to be manufactured using Keltan ACE™ technology

DSM Elastomers has formally presented its first EPDM grade to be manufactured using Keltan ACE™ technology. Keltan DE8270C is now available for sampling and sales.

Keltan DE8270C is the first of a new class of innovative Keltan products to be manufactured in DSM's EPDM facilities in Geleen, the Netherlands, using a new advanced catalyst technology referred to as Keltan ACE™ technology.

According to Herman Dikland, Business Manager for Keltan ACE™, customers in various application segments have evaluated the new product on their production lines: "Without exception customers have recognized the new product's benefits - and first sales have been initiated, even before official product launch."

Keltan DE8270C contains a large amount of 5-vinyl-2-norbornene (VNB) as third monomer and provides unprecedented peroxide curing efficiency. High-VNB products offer new opportunities for cost-effective compounding of Keltan formulations that require peroxide curing. Customers will be able to lower the amount of peroxide and coagent whilst maintaining material properties and thus improving the cost/performance balance. Alternatively, compounds can be loaded to a much higher extent, while maintaining material properties. Moreover, the balance of physical properties and high temperature resistance can be markedly improved with this new class of Keltan products.

Primary focus is on applications currently using peroxide cure EPDM, such as e.g. coolant hoses, window gaskets and belts. However, also applications that currently rely on sulphur curing and even applications that currently do not make use of EPDM are targeted.

"For our customers it is clear that the use of high-VNB products is not only about making compounds cheaper. For instance, a reduction of peroxide has associated benefits in terms of reduction of bloom, odour, taste and improvement of electrical properties and heat resistance. Moreover, the amorphous nature of the product is key in meeting low-temperature requirements.

One other product benefit is the scorch-safe processing of compounds which is giving enhanced product and process performance in (injection) moulding applications. In one case, a customer that makes complex injection moulded parts could reduce scrap rates considerably."

Mr. Deland concludes: "This addition to our portfolio will further enhance the reputation of Keltan® as a leading EP(D)M brand in the market. The High VNB products are the first productions in line. Our R&D and Marketing & Sales departments are currently exploring further innovations for other polymers of this technology platform. This new Keltan ACE™ grade will be fully supported by DSM Elastomers' running business teams, with customer response teams on all continents. Quality and supply of product are secured by DSM Elastomers' management control systems."

For further information, e-mail: sandra.coolen@dsm.com  Refer to page 78