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October's Fakuma show in Germany saw new developments in robots from several companies. In addition to new servo sprue pickers (see p. 10), there were these developments: • Wittmann Battenfeld (U.S. offce in Torrington, Conn.; wittmann-group.com) expanded its new W8 pro series that was launched at K 2013 in Dusseldorf. These models boast numerous enhancements, making them stiffer, quieter, more durable, and more energy effcient. The frst model that appeared last year was the W833 pro, with a payload capacity up to 15 kg (33 lb) and tele- scoping vertical stroke up to 1800 mm (71 in.), suiting it to presses up to 750 metric tons. The newest models all have payload capaci- ties up to 35 kg (77 lb), suiting them to machines up to 800 m.t., and slightly different stroke lengths. Models W832 pro and W842 pro have a single vertical axis (1600 mm, 63 in.). W843 pro (photo below) has a telescoping vertical axis (2600 mm, 102 in.). Also new from Wittmann were two sprue pickers, the WS80 servo model (p. 10) and the WP80 pneumatic unit with a mechanical system inherited from the W702 and a new Net8 control system in place of the previous SA7 control. The touchscreen pendant provides a common control platform with Wittmann's blenders and mold TCUs. • Star Automation (U.S. offce in Menomonee Falls, Wis.; starautomation.com) showed its brand-new Gxw-1200VIe servo robot with fve axes—a new feature for this company. It has two servo wrist axes (A 188°, B 320°) and 10 kg (22 lb) payload capacity. It has a split horizontal arm, which can support a second vertical arm, and positioning accuracy of ± 0.1 mm. Extraction dry-cycle time is 1.28 sec, and full dry cycle is 6.7 sec. Also new is Star's ES-1000II, a three-axis servo robot with 5-kg (11-lb) payload capacity and a new STEC-NC2 control pendant capable of free programming. Positioning accuracy and extraction dry cycle are the same as for the other new model; full dry cycle is 6.46 sec. • Engel (U.S. offce in York, Pa.; engelglobal.com/us) has given a makeover to its viper linear robot. It has been adapted for integra- tion with the new CC300 machine control, and the lightweight C70 touchscreen pendant replaces the old C35 and C100 terminals. • Boy Machines (U.S. offce in Exton, Pa.; boymachines.com) is now offering robots under its own label. At Fakuma, these included a servo picker, a side-entry pneumatic robot (shown on a Boy 25 EVV vertical insert molding press) integrated with the press controls, and a new overhead servo robot with pendant and integration with the press controls. Models of this robot are available for Boy 35, 50, 60, 80, and 100 presses. INJECTION MOLDING EXTRUSION SANAFOR ™ MAKES SURE YOUR CUP HOLDER ISN'T A GERM HOLDER. SANAFOR™ is a trademark of Janssen PMP, a division of Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V., Beerse, Belgium When you're on the go, SANAFOR™ creates a barrier against the bacteria and mold that want to tag along. It's certainly one less thing to worry about during the morning commute. info@sanafor.com New Robots at Fakuma Show Dimpled Sheet Line Goes to 13-Ft Wide Italian machine builder Amut Group recently built and tested a line for producing HDPE dimpled sheet up to 13 ft wide. It will be used in Russia to make products to protect and provide drainage for underground walls. The line has a capacity of about 3800 lb/hr. Sheet can be coiled in one 13-ft- diam. roll, in two 6.5-ft-diam. rolls, or in four coils of 3.25 ft diam. The line features a 180-mm single-screw extruder with 45:1 L/D and reportedly can process material in a variety of forms, including 100% HDPE bottle scrap. The extruder can be equipped with a vacuum-vent system to extract volatiles. Downstream from the calendering/forming unit, the line includes an unwinding/lamination station to allow introduc- tion of 13-ft-wide geotextiles. This station is complete with a distribution system for hot-melt glues. At the end of the line, an automatic winder with a bench is furnished for unloading/ stacking the fnished coils. +39 0321 6641 amut.it @plastechmag 69 Plastics Technology N E W P R O D U C T S F O R P L A S T I C S P R O C E S S I N G