Robots continue to find a place in the manufacturing space and experts are predicting that even more will be utilized in the future.
The Boston Consulting Group recently released a report that it expects 1.2 million advanced robots will be deployed in the U.S. over the next decade. It said that leading the way will be manufacturers of computer and electronic products, electrical equipment, appliances and transportation, primarily automotive.
The report said that robots are only performing about 10 percent of the tasks that they can do, and that total could rise to 25 percent by 2025. It added that lower cost and easier programming will make it all possible.
Robotics and end-of-arm tooling will be on display at NPE 2015. Many of the machines will actually be working, either in the booths of its makers or producing products in customer's booths.
Here's a look at what to expect:
ABB Inc. (Booth S31114): Supplier of industrial robots, modular manufacturing systems and service. Installed more than 250,000 robots worldwide
ASS End of Arm Tooling Inc. (Booth W1972): Complete line of end-of-arm tooling components specifically for the plastic industry.
AGS Automation EOAT GmbH (Booth S10102): Launching new end-of-arm tool system PreciGrip.
Arburg Inc. (Booth W3729): Offering robotic systems, as well as 6-axis robots, linear robotic systems and pickers.
Absolute Robots Inc. (Booth W3091): Automation solutions from pneumatic pickers to full servo robots for molding machines up to 550 tons.
Ayal Robotics and Engineering Ltd. (Booth S17133): Manufacture LaborSave a fully automated system that opens and empties sacks directly from pallet.
CBW Automation (Booth W2103): Debuts the SSE Robot, which includes high flow vacuum and strip stroke, allowing robot to follow the motion of the mold for unscrewing or more complex ejection of parts. The SSE Robot also will be demonstrated at Engel (Booth W1303) using a 2x4 stack mold in a 720-ton molding machine. Also, the TSE Robot will be running at Milacron's exhibit (Booth W2703).
Centerline Robot ReManufacturing (Booth W2473): Rebuild and upgrade service for any brand part removal robot.
Cincinnati Process Technologies (Booth S17103): Sales and service of WETEC robots, end-of-arm tooling.
DevLinks Ltd. Automation (Booth S26149): Authorized integrator for Fanuc and Wittmann robotics and custom building of end-of-arm tooling.
Dynamic Robotic Solutions (Booth S38012): Turnkey automated trim systems.
Engel Machinery Inc. (Booth W1303): New compact robots for horizontal and vertical part removal.
Fipa Inc. (Booth S10107): End-of-arm tooling and vacuum technology; offering comprehensive vacuum technology catalog.
Flexicell Inc (Booth S22085): Robotic system integrator and automatic equipment manufacturer. Specialize in end-of-line case packing, pelletizing and material handling.
H. Muller Fabrique de Moules SA (Booth S30084): Provides molds and robots for thin-wall packaging and IML applications; develops fully automated turnkey systems
Harmo America Inc. (Booth S34117): Supply robots, automation and auxiliary equipment for plastics industry.
HYRobotics Corp. (Booth W7785): Full line of industrial robotic systems for injection molding.
Ilsemann Automation Corp. (Booth W991): High speed robotic part extraction systems for injection molding.
IML Robotics Corp. (Booth S27055): Manufacture in-mold label robots.
Kuka Robotics Corp. (Booth W7271): Automation equipment and robotic systems.
Minatech Inc. (Booth S26128): Blow mold automation; products include part takeout, deflashing, leak testing, robotic packaging and assembly equipment.
Negri Bossi North America (Booth W643): Offering flash series integrated robots and Sytrama line of auxiliary part removal robots and flexible automation systems.
Proco Machinery Inc. (Booth W1583): Takeout systems and takeaway systems for shuttle machines, deflashing machines, leak testers, robotic case packers.
Ranger Automation Systems Inc. (Booth W2473): American-made part handling robots for injection, blow molding, extrusion and thermoforming. Top entry, side entry and gantry configurations, 3-7 axis servo, double arm option for stack molds.
Schneider Packaging Equipment Co. Inc. (Booth W8663): Automated packaging lines with Schneider robotics.
Sepro America Inc. (Booth W263): Emphasizing its global slogan of “your free choice in Robots” Sepro will bring 20 robots to NPE. Ten will be demonstrated at the Sepro booth, while 10 others will be running at the booths of injection molders. The robots include the 5X Line 5-axis robots, 6X visual 6-axis robots, general-purpose servo-driven robots, 5DA dual-arm servo robots, and s3 servo-driven sprue pickers.
Sepro robots will be in operation in the Sumitomo Demag (Booth W623), Absolute Haitian (Booth W3683), G. Pernoud North America with Billion (Booth W983), Stork (Booth W929) and Maruka U.S.A./ Toyo (Booth W303).
Sailor Automation (Booth W221): Design, manufacture and develop custom automation systems.
SAS Automation LLC (Booth 5353): Design, build and service end-of-arm tooling.
Star Automation (Booth W1971): Servo top and side entry takeout and process robots, sprue pickers, full line of end-of-arm tool components.
Staubli Corp. (Booth W3703): complete range of 4-axis and 6-axis robots.
Wittmann Battenfeld Inc. (Booth W2743): One-stop supplier of robots, automation for injection molding.
Yudo Inc. (Booth W329): Takeout robots, factory and machining automation.
Yushin America Inc. (Booth W763): Robots and tooling for custom automation for assembly, inspection and packaging.
