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New Source & Capabilities For Collaborative Robots One of two recent announcements in collab- orative robots ("cobots") is the entry of a new supplier in the field. Motoman Robotics Div. of Yaskawa America Inc., Dayton, Ohio (motoman.com), is now offering commercially its first "human collaborative" robot, the six-axis model HC10. Featuring power- and force-limiting technology, it's said to work safely with, or in close proximity to, humans by stopping if it contacts an operator. Dual torque sensors in all joints constantly monitor force to react quickly to contact, something usually found only in more expensive systems. It also is designed to eliminate operator pinch points, and through-arm utilities hide cabling and increase safety by reducing the risks of snagging or interference with other equipment. In addition to standard robot program- ming through the teach pendant, the user can hand- guide the HC10 when teaching new program paths. The robot can operate at full speed or reduced, "collabora- tive" speed. Payload capacity is 10 kg (22 lb) and horizontal reach is 1200 mm. Second, Rethink Robotics, Cambridge, Mass. (rethinkrobotics.com), has introduced Intera 5.2, an expanded software program for its Sawyer cobot. This software is said to be a first for a cobot in providing data on cycle time, part count, speed, force, etc. on a customize- able "dashboard." Called Intera Insights, this feature for the first time gives users real-time information on how the cobot is operating. The new software release also includes extensive additions to Sawyer's vision capabili- ties. In addition to the embedded cameras that are standard with Sawyer, users now have the option to seamlessly integrate external cameras in minutes. This will improve the cobot's vision capabilities and can allow integration of existing in-house vision systems on Sawyer. Intera 5.2 is available for download on existing Sawyer cobots and will come standard on all new units. Custom Designed Process Vessels The newest process vessel from Charles R. Ross & Son, Hauppauge, N.Y., is a 300-gal version designed for 5-psi internal pressure at 300 F. Product wetted surfaces are polished stainless steel. A special disperser blade is driven to 1150 rpm by a 75-hp, explosion-proof motor. The agitator shaft utilizes a mechanical seal in an oil bath. A 50-psig, baffled jacket surrounds the sides and vessel bottom for heating/cooling. 800-243-7677 • mixers.com Flame-Retardant Nylon 66 for Unattended Appliance Connectors An unreinforced, flame-retardant nylon 66 designed to bring extra safety to electrical connectors for unattended appliances is new from Houston-based Ascend Performance Materials. Vydyne FR350J reportedly sports a "best-in- class" glow-wire ignition temperature (GWIT) of 960 C at all thicknesses up to 3 mm. Molded parts have achieved glow-wire end-product test values of 750 C at all thicknesses. The material also achieves PLC 0 ratings in hot-wire ignition (HWI) and high-amp arc-igni- tion (HAI) tests according to UL 746A. In addition, the compound carries an RTI electrical rating of 130 C and UL 94V-0 rating down to 0.4 mm. Vydyne FR350J also boasts superior melt flow and requires lower pressure to fill molds. The compound has a wide processing window and is color stable for natural and colorable applications. The FR additive package is said to exhibit low corrosion for improved electrical contact performance. 713-315-5826 • ascendmaterials.com AUTOMATION COMPOUNDING MATERIALS High-Heat-Stabilized Nylon 66 Goes Under the Hood A new iron-free heat-stabilization system from Lanxess, Pittsburgh, is designed to increase the continuous operating temperatures of nylon 66 to over 230 C/446 F. Previous "Xtreme Temperature Stabilization (XTS)" systems protected nylon up to 200 C/392 F. The first entry in this new product line is a 35% glass-reinforced grade, Durethan AKV35XTS2. Lanxess is responding to the trend toward more efficient combustion engines that subject plastic components under the hood to higher thermal loads. According to the company, the new nylons provide an alternative to costly, heat-stabilized specialty thermoplastics such as fully and semi-aromatic nylons and PPS. Possible applications include air-intake modules with an integrated intercooler or air ducts near the turbocharger. After 3000 hr at 230 C, reduction in tensile strength at break and elastic modulus is "barely measurable," according to Lanxess. Compared with Durethan nylon 66 compounds having the same glass-fiber content and previous heat- stabilization systems, the new grade boasts improved flow and surface quality. Lanxess is working on additional grades with higher and lower glass contents, as well as a blow moldable version for turbocharger components. 800-526-9377 • lanxess.com MATERIALS @plastechmag 75 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