Baxter the collaborative robot has come to another plastics processor: Koller-Craft Plastics in Fenton, Mo.
Custom injection molder Koller-Craft uses its new two-armed Baxter to package parts into a tote, as they come off the conveyor. That frees up the human employees for more complex and detailed work, said Mike Ewing, operations manager at the Fenton factory.
“The flexibility Baxter has provided allows us to better assign our employees to positions where they are needed, improving our manufacturing processes and production significantly,” he said.
The production line produces parts molded, four at a time, every 30 seconds. Baxters do not require special guarding since they sense when employees are nearby, and even turn its computer-screen face to acknowledge him or her. Koller-Craft officials plan to deploy more Baxters.
Koller-Craft Plastics is a division of Koller Enterprises Inc.
Baxter is made by Rethink Robotics Inc. in Boston.