K 2019 Show: Robots Get Bigger, Faster and More Affordable

At the 2019 K Show in Düsseldorf, robotics leaders presented a clear dual focus: performance gains and cost reductions. The event highlighted machines that deliver higher power, quicker cycles, and lower investment and operating expenses while taking up less floor space, requiring fewer safety guards, and simplifying programming. Dedicated solutions addressed structural composites, in‑process moulding (IML), medical pipettes, and single‑use coffee capsules. Quick‑mold‑change (QMC) systems and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) also featured prominently.

Wittmann’s new Sonic series promises a 60‑70% speed increase over its WX line. Yushin’s MKA‑200S, designed for 1,500‑tonne machines and above, lifts 66‑110 lb payloads 10‑17% faster than earlier large robots.

Cartesian Robots Push the Envelope

Arburg unveiled the Multilift V30, a linear robot tailored for large Allrounder presses (250‑650 t). It can handle 30 kg (66 lb) and offers:

• Horizontal Z stroke 2,000‑5,000 mm; speeds up to 2,800 mm/s
• Vertical Y stroke 1,200‑2,000 mm; speeds to 4,000 mm/s
• Strip X stroke 700‑900 mm; speeds to 2,400 mm/s

Standard pneumatic C wrist; optional servo C and servo or pneumatic B axes.

Yushin expanded its lineup with the MKA‑2000S servo robot for 1,500‑tonne machines and above. It lifts 30‑50 kg (66‑110 lb) with a 4,000‑5,000 mm X traverse, a 2,500‑3,000 mm two‑stage Z axis, and a 1,800 mm Y reach featuring a unique negative kick action. Optional servo A/C wrist. Compared to the RBII‑2500S, it reduces take‑out times by 17% and overall dry cycles by 10%.

Engel introduced viper linear robots with extended strokes and additional enhancements (see September preview).

Wittmann Battenfeld’s Sonic line—Sonic 131, 142, 143—offers 60‑70% faster performance than the WX series. Equipped with larger motors, 4× higher acceleration, and a 15‑30% stiffer aluminum vertical arm, these robots support payloads of 3‑7 kg (6.6‑15.4 lb) and up to 10 kg (22 lb) on custom models. Acceleration ranges from 40‑65 m/s² (over 6.5 G), max speeds 5.5‑7.5 m/s. The R9 Teachbox control’s 4 ms cycle time enables rapid response to events such as Mold Open.

Star Automation’s ZXW‑VI series—ZXW‑1000VI (150‑350 t) and ZXW‑1600VI (350‑850 t)—deliver take‑out times of 0.48 s and 0.83 s, respectively, with full dry cycles of 2.6 s and 3.8 s. All axes feature double prismatic bearing guides for 0.1 mm precision; the vertical arm telescopes.

The new ZPX‑1000, the first of the ZPX line, targets 150‑350 t presses, offering a 0.35‑s take‑out time and a 2.4‑s full dry cycle. Its lightweight arm profiles, carbon‑fiber vertical arm, and upgraded servomotors surpass the ZXW performance.

Kuka’s KR Quantec 2 series delivers higher speed, 10% smaller footprint, fast delivery, and reduced total cost of ownership thanks to 50% fewer main components and spare parts. Payload ranges from 120‑210 kg (264‑462 lb) with a reach of 2,701‑3,100 mm. These robots introduce digital plug‑in motion modes—Path, Dynamic (≈10% faster cycles), and Performance—for versatile operation.

Sepro plans the Success Line X, a cost‑effective five‑axis servo linear robot slated for Q3, aiming to standardise five‑axis solutions in injection moulding. The design includes a two‑axis servo wrist from Yaskawa Motoman and a compact EOAT, enabling simpler tooling and quicker mold changes.

Lower‑Cost Automation

Wittmann Battenfeld expanded its economical Primus line with larger Primus 48/48T models for presses up to 900 t and a telescoping‑arm Primus 16T for smaller presses.

Sepro’s Success Line X will support quick mold changes and secondary operations, featuring a servo wrist that reports exact position, thereby allowing simpler EOAT and better compensation for misalignments.

Igus introduced a low‑cost automation portfolio: the Robolink RL‑DC jointed‑arm robot (four or five axes) starts at €7,000, ideal for pick‑and‑place; the drylin DLE‑DR delta robot handles up to 5 kg (11 lb) at 30 picks/min, priced just under €5,000 with controls.

Cobots Proliferate

Collaborative robots (cobots) continued to grow in plastics processing. Universal Robots’ models were integrated into jerrycan moulding; Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer Black edition offers higher payload and durability; Sepro partnered with Universal Robots to showcase dual‑cobots; Boy Machines demonstrated a coffee‑serving Kuka seven‑axis cobot.

Nissei operated a cell moulding champagne flutes from clear PLA bio‑resin, using two Yushin top‑entry robots for demoulding and a dual‑arm SCARA‑type Kawasaki cobot for assembly. The Kawasaki duAro collaborates with humans, featuring collision detection and speed reduction when a person enters its workspace.

Muller Technology Colorado (formerly CBW Automation) works with Omron cobots to develop a pick‑and‑place IML packaging system with integrated camera inspection. The first application is lid packing with a CBW stacker.

Other Robot News

Muller’s latest IML side‑entry robot trims energy consumption by up to 40% through motor optimisation and shortened utility lines. Boy Machines expanded its parts‑remover to four axes with a wrist. Campetella Robotic Center showcased a three‑robot cell for compost‑able coffee capsules, achieving an 8‑second cycle.

Engel added a multidynamic function for viper robots, adjusting speed per payload; a new sprue picker; a compact safety cell; and a complex composite overmoulding cell with integrated ovens and six‑axis robots.

Hekuma demonstrated its Hekutip automation cell for medical pipette tip handling. Sepro’s new Success line features sleek styling, extended strip strokes, and patented cam‑follower bearings for smoother, dust‑tolerant operation. Their Visual Production Dashboard aggregates cell data for real‑time OEE calculation, turning the robot into a “smart sensor.”

Hahn’s Waldorf Technik showcased the Vario TIP system for syringe barrel demoulding and cavity sorting, while Wemo displayed new WIPS 4.0 control software, a 10‑in. touchscreen pendant, and the xPacker palletiser.

Kuka’s KMP1500 WLAN‑guided AGV carries up to 1,500 kg (3,300 lb), guided by WLAN and obstacle‑sensing scanners. Kuka also introduced Kuka.IconProg, a graphical, icon‑based programming method, and Kuka.Sim Pro, a simulation and augmented reality tool for layout planning and offline programming.

Staubli unveiled a quick‑change tool changer for six‑axis robots and a mold‑maintenance cart for its QMC system, handling 10‑60 t molds. Sepro’s My Gripper catalog offers 700+ EOAT components, while AGS introduced spring‑loaded, anti‑rotation grippers and modular kits for Schunk grippers.

Sepro’s upcoming Success Line X and the new Kuka AGVs represent significant strides toward more flexible, efficient, and cost‑effective automation across injection moulding and beyond.