Simco Industrial Static Control is touting its Chargemaster electrostatic charging system for in-mold labeling, using static electricity to hold the label securely in the tool.
There are two methods for charging the label with static electricity. The conventional way is to mount the charging applicator directly behind the label on the end-of-arm tooling of the robot. The robot controller activates the static charge, and the tool's vacuum is turned off so the label adheres to the mold cavity.
A simpler method does not require mounting the high-voltage charging components on the EOAT. An anti-static foam is cemented to a grounded metal plate on the robot's tool fixture. Suction cups are fixed to the foam, flush with the work surface. The robot picks the label up using suction, molding it flat against the foam. The label is passed by a static-charging bar mounted externally to the press, then placed into the mold cavity.
Simco of Hatfield, Pa., is touting static electricity as better than using vacuum ports in the mold, which the firm said in-creases tool costs and can cause “pimples” in the graphics on the surface of the part.
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