Plastics Technology

JAN 2018

Plastics Technology - Dedicated to improving Plastics Processing.

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Sepro Launches Apps for Enhancing Robot Software MORE THAN JUST STORAGE! Manage your inventory Become better organized Protect your investment Create a safer working environment Our mold management systems are designed to save you space, time & money. GO FROM THIS TO THIS! Visit our website or give us a call to learn more about how we can help you with your die or mold management needs. 716.822.2804 www.PTM.Rapistak.com In addition to three new, smaller six-axis robots, Sepro of France introduced the first two software apps for its injection molding robots at the recent Fakuma show in Germany (see also this month's Keeping Up section). Sepro (U.S. office in Warrendale, Pa.) says downloadable apps for existing robot controls offer an incremental way of updating capabilities between launches of entire new control systems. One of the first two apps is OptiCycle, which helps fine-tune robot and machine cycles for maximum productivity. It was devel- oped with key global accounts, one of which has upgraded 400 of its 800 Sepro robots with this app. OptiCycle report- edly offers "expert logic" that makes it easier for program- mers of all experience levels to evaluate and continuously improve robot and machine cycle times. A plug-in for Sepro's Touch 2, Visual 2, and Visual 3 controls, OptiCycle requires the operator to answer a few questions and teach the main points in the Visual software. OptiCycle does the rest, such as finding an optimal standby position and anticipating the ejector action. The app also offers suggestions for optimizing end-of-arm tooling and injection-machine strokes. Results are said to include up to 40% faster robot in/out cycles and about 5% faster overall molding cycles—up to 10% faster on larger presses. The second new app is Live Support, also developed with global customers. Avail- able later this year, it will provide tech service, trouble- shooting, and hotline support via smartphone. A USB stick provides a WiFi connection to send robot data to the phone and then to the cloud and Sepro hotline. Customers will be able to initiate service requests, list concerns or questions, and add detailed robot status simply by scan- ning a QR code. Also coming later this year will be ability to use 3D simulation to make programming and maintenance even easier. This is already used to some extent for programming simple pick-and-place routines on Visual 3 controls. 412-459-0450 • sepro-america.com 12 JANUARY 2018 Plastics Technology PTonline.com T E C H N O L O G Y A N D I N D U S T R Y N E W S St ar t ing Up

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