PLASTICS Unveils ANSI B151.27‑2021: New Safety Standard for Robot‑Injection Molding Systems

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released the ANSI‑accredited standard ANSI B151.27‑2021: Safety Requirements for Robot/Injection Molding Machine Systems, published on March 21, 2021.

In a press release, PLASTICS CEO Tony Radoszewski emphasized the association’s long‑standing partnership with ANSI and the critical role of safety in the industry. “Protecting operators and maintaining the reliability of the machinery that supports their livelihoods is a core element of PLASTICS’ mission,” he said.

This standard was developed through a two‑year collaboration of 46 voting members of the PLASTICS Machinery Safety Standards Committee, representing a broad cross‑section of the sector.

Jennifer Jones, Director of Industry Standards at PLASTICS, noted that the standard is a timely response to the growing integration of robots and molding machines. “ANSI B151.27‑2021 provides clear guidance for navigating the complexities of merging plastics and robotics technology, and establishes the safety requirements for those machine systems,” she explained.

Duane Royce, VP of Robots and Automation at Wittmann Battenfeld and chairman of the workgroup that produced the standard, praised the volunteer effort that made the standard possible. “Without the participation of these volunteers, the essential work of creating and refining standards would not happen,” he said.

The new standard will help facilities worldwide to implement safer robot‑injection molding systems, protecting personnel and preserving equipment integrity.

Robots in production at Wittmann Battenfeld’s facility in Torrington, Conn.—the new ANSI standard addresses safety issues around the integration of robotics and injection molding machines.