CHICAGO (June 27, 9:45 a.m. EDT) — Under a new distribution agreement, AEC Inc. and Sterling Inc. showcased Harmo Co. Ltd.'s HRX Series full servoextraction robot in the line's North American debut.
Both part of the ACS Group of companies, AEC of Wood Dale, Ill., and Sterling Inc. of New Berlin, Wis., operated the three-axis full servorobot HRX-150Si at NPE 2006.
“We are the sole distributor in the United States for the Harmo line and the primary contact for sales, service and spare parts,” said J.H. Breger, AEC automation sales manager.
Harmo is headquartered in Nagano, Japan.
Models in the HRX Series can automate horizontal injection molding machines of 40-1,100 tons in three- and five-axis configurations with single or two-stage telescopic vertical arms. The two-stage version is standard on presses of 300 tons and larger. A method of compound arm construction allows greater vertical axis speeds on larger presses.
An intelligent iController represents an advance in fully user programmable controls capability, Breger said.
The hand-held user interface is ergonomically designed and lightweight and has a large-format color touch screen. The controls offer screen layout customization and text editing.
A global standard open network, known as DeviceNet, improves and simplifies communication through multiple input/output channels between the molding machine and a variety of secondary process auxiliaries. The result: Hardware costs are reduced.
A user can create an I/O, name the I/O and store the identity to an on-board library for later use.
To save floor space, the control cabinet is traverse beam-end mounted. An optional floor-based cabinet is also available.
Control features include on-board memory for 100 molds and flash-card storage for hundreds more. A standard voice guidance system can access all functions.
During teach or manual modes, axis movements can be engaged using soft-touch keys and a Jog dial. Positions and speeds are teachable on the fly.
Multiple levels of password protection and a screen-saver mode are included, and an optional off-line programming package is available.
High-quality linear guides exist on each axis employing linear rail and bearing systems from TDK Co. Ltd. of Tokyo. The kick frame has rigidity for support and repeatability, and the thick-walled aluminum extrusion traverse with ridged steel subweldment offers vibration suppression and maximum resistance to deflection.
Harmo manufactures precision robots in two factories in Nagano and introduced the HRX Series in Asia and Europe during 2005. Harmo has numerous sales offices in Southeast Asia and, recently, expanded its presence in China. A previous North American marketing agreement between Harmo and Conair Group Inc. ended in 2003.
ACS Group of Wood Dale oversees operations of AEC, Sterling and several other auxiliary equipment companies.
AEC and Sterling have been certified partner integrators of articulating robots from ABB Ltd. of Zurich, Switzerland, since 1999 and have long-standing partnerships for top-entry robots with Apex Robot Systems Inc. of Taichung, Taiwan, and Sytrama srl of Vignate, Italy.