ATM Cartesian Robots – Still a Major Player in Plastics

Faster, More Powerful and More Flexible

In moulding shops across the United Kingdom ATM Cartesian Robots are still hard at work performing a multitude of part handling, de-moulding and insert loading tasks, not to mention packaging and palletising operations at the end of the production line. Over the years, as robot technology developed, the specifications of ATM’s robot range continued to be enhanced to keep pace with demands for faster cycle times and greater flexibility. Today, all but a few of the robots produced by ATM are fully servo-driven systems, with the latest models providing the reliability and performance needed to achieve high uptimes and output.

ATM’s Cartesian Robot range starts with the ES500, a compact yet powerful robot driven by AC Servo Motors with a work envelope of 1500mm x 400mm x 800mm (X,Y,Z). This robot is capable of handling an 8.0kg payload at speeds of up to 4.0 metres/second. The larger ES1000 and ES2000 robots provide greater working ranges and payloads – 2000mm x 650mm x 1000mm (X,Y,Z) with a 10kg payload for the ES 1000 and 2500mm x 1000mm x 1500mm (X,Y,Z) and a 12kg payload for the ES2000. Speeds of up to 4.0 metres/second can be achieved by the ES1000 with the larger ES2000 capable of achieving speeds of up to 2.5 metres/second. For extremely large working ranges and heavy payloads, the ES3000, largest of the ATM range, can be configured with customised strokes enabling this model to be used with even the largest injection moulding machines and handling payloads of up to 40kg.

Linear Motors & Advanced Gripper Technology Minimises De-Mould Cycles
A further demonstration of ATM’s ongoing commitment to developing their Cartesian Robot range is the recent introduction of Linear Motor drive technology to their side entry robot systems. Used in applications where the moulding cycle is very short, generally 3.0 to 5.0 seconds, side entry robots need to be extremely fast to minimise the tool open time and maximise the output from the moulding machine. Where traditional rack & pinion / belt drives and ball-screw systems are reaching their limits at de-mould cycles of around 1.5 seconds, Linear Motor drive technology allows de-mould cycle times of <0.8 seconds to be achieved.

To realise the maximum benefits available from this technology, it is essential that gripper design, concepts and materials are matched to the performance of the robot. With a wealth of experience gained from hundreds of applications, ATM is able to produce gripper systems which enhance the overall capability and performance of the robot system. Using lightweight materials such as carbon fibre minimises the robot payload and enables the robot to achieve the fastest possible cycle times. The significant performance increase which this combination brings means much higher productivity and reduced piece part costs.

Stand Alone or Integrated

ATM high speed side entry robots are not only used in a stand-alone configuration, they can be easily integrated with other robots and automation as part of a complete production cell. For example, when used in conjunction with an ATM 6 axis robot, it is common for the side entry robot to be driven and controlled by the 6 axis robot controller. By effectively adding the side entry robot as an additional axis to the main robot, the side entry robot becomes fully integrated and programmable from the 6 axis robot teach pendant. In this configuration, overall cell control and robot programming is kept as simple as possible, whilst the benefits of ultra high speed and flexibility are obtained from the combination of the two different robot types. ATM side entry robots using linear motor technology can be used to reduce cycle times in a wide range of applications including Injection Moulding and Packaging.
All of the robots within the ATM’s ES range are controlled using a PC based control system, with operation and programming made simple using the intuitive Touch Screen hand held pendant. ATM Automation also provide 6 Axis and 7 Axis Robot Systems, Plastics Joining Technologies, Gripper & Tooling Systems and Complete System Solutions, all of which are backed by the unrivalled experience in plastics automation acquired by ATM in almost 40 years within the industry.