Automation's Role in Custom Injection Molding
Injection Molding Automation: How Crescent Does It!
In this section, we’ll take a more detailed look at three unique aspects of how we incorporate automation and robotics in our plastic injection molding processes.
End-of-arm tooling (EOAT): With interchangeable end-of-arm tooling, cusotm injection molding tasks throughout all stages of production can be completed by one robot. End-of-arm tooling allows robots to pick and place materials and products in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and to complete tasks such as assembly, packaging, pad printing, and more.
Collaborative robots: Collaborative robots, also called cobots, are found more and more frequently in our injection molding processes, especially for lower volumes and custom applications. Collaborative robots are built to work safely within close proximity with humans, assisting in tasks such as heavy lifting and loading, finely detailed assembly, and more.
Automated work cells: Automated work cells foster efficiency and produce uptime benefits by integrating various tasks or processes into one work area. With the benefit of interchangeable end-of-arm tooling, robotics to carry out a number of tasks to reduce overhead and costs. An example of a downstream automated work cell might be a robot that picks an ejected part from the mold, trims and clips excess material as needed, performs an initial quality check on the output using automated vision inspection, packages the part and loads it onto a pallet.
Benefits of Injection Molding Automation
Injection molding robot automation creates several benefits throughout all stages of the injection molding process. With these benefits – which are passed on to you in the form of increased quality, reduced cost, and shorter lead times.
Reduce Part Rejects
Injection molding automation offers repeatability and consistency throughout the process. These tools fulfill or augment the repetitive, high-volume tasks that must be completed with 100% accuracy every time in order to maintain quality – a difficult task for a human worker, who can be more effective in other, more complex areas of the operation. With the aid of automation, we are able to vastly reduce part rejects, resulting in faster turnaround and fulfillment times.
Reduce Labor For Injection Molding
Labor is one of the highest costs of any injection molding process. Our integrated automation tools and robots reduce those costs by fulfilling the most repetitive, dangerous, yet still critical tasks, directing labor resources elsewhere in the process to maximize value.
Increase Injection Molding Throughput
Injection molding robots are used in nearly every step of the production cycle, not just in the molding process itself. By incorporating automation in upstream and downstream processes such as part handling after ejection, placing inserts or substrates into the mold for the insert and over molding process, trimming, drilling, pad printing, and packaging, we are able to reduce handling time and provide the premium injection molding service you expect.
Automation Solutions Case Study
At Crescent Industries, we have outfitted our facility with the right automation technology and equipment to ensure that you can get the high-quality products you need for industries like medical, pharmaceutical, defense, and more. The difference we provided in value, documentation, and service makes us the injection molding provider of choice. Read our case study to learn how an automated manufacturing solution improved the molding process for diagnostic plates by reducing labor and ensuring quality parts.
