During a virtual product launch, scheduled for the upcoming Fakuma show, Wittmann Battenfeld unveiled an upgraded A‑C servo axis. Located at the robot arm’s end, the A, B, and C axes form the “wrist” that grants Cartesian‑style robots precise end‑of‑arm‑tool (EOAT) manipulation. At the press briefin

Since its 2018 debut, Wittmann Battenfeld’s Primus robot line has grown from supporting 400‑ton clamping force to 900‑tons, and now the new 48/48T expands that capability to 1,200‑tons. Designed for modern injection molding, the 20‑kg (44‑lb) payload robot is engineered to work with machines that ex

Last summer, Rethink Robotics GmbH—a subsidiary of Germany’s Hahn Group—relocated to a state‑of‑the‑art headquarters and production plant in Bochum. The new site sits adjacent to the “learning factory” of the Chair for Production Systems at Ruhr University, fostering close collaboration between acad

Responding to the widespread cancellation of major plastics trade fairs this fall due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, Sepro Group has unveiled an interactive 3‑D Virtual Showroom. The platform provides on‑demand technical expertise and a full visual tour of the company’s robotics portfolio. Sepro’s

Just like in any industry, the plastics world is continuously changing and growing. Often, this means companies are investing in automation to improve productivity and increase capacity and efficiency. If you haven’t yet taken the time to consider automation for your company, now is the perfec

The Brazilian subsidiary of injection‑molding machine, auxiliary, and robotics supplier Wittmann Battenfeld has relocated to a newly built facility in Vinhedo, São Paulo. Spanning more than 9,000 sq ft, the site now enables the company to design, assemble, and sell fully integrated systems—including

Denmark’s OnRobot (U.S. office in Dallas) has launched a cleanroom-ready, IP67-certified, collaborative 2FG7 parallel gripper. The 2FG7 is designed to enable gripping applications at low cost and can reportedly be deployed within minutes. The parallel gripper can handle payloads above 6 kg (13

Hahn Automation has launched the first in its SmartSolutions line—a suite of pre‑configured automation modules tailored for a wide range of industrial tasks. Each module is a self‑contained system that includes the company’s proprietary Smart Intuitive Automation (SIA) software, enabling straightfor

OnRobot, headquartered in Odense, Denmark with a U.S. office in Irving, Texas, has rolled out a new software version for its Eyes vision system. The update brings a suite of features that enable robots to identify and manipulate objects faster and with greater precision. The key highlight is a one‑s

Engel is replacing the postponed Fakuma trade show with its live e‑experience virtual event, running from Oct. 13 to 16. The online platform will feature all the products, technologies and services originally slated for Fakuma, giving attendees a comprehensive preview from the comfort of their own w

At Plastics Technology, we know that learning never stops – even when the world is reshaped by COVID‑19. While many trade shows and conferences have been postponed or cancelled, the need for real‑world knowledge and innovation remains stronger than ever. Our recent webinar series has seen a dramatic

Wittmann Battenfeld, a global leader in injection‑molding automation, has unveiled the WX153 robot line—designed for machines with clamp forces between 500 and 1,300 tons. The new series replaces the long‑standing W8 pro line that first hit the market in 2013. The WX153 offers exceptional flexibili

Digital Twin Technology from Wittmann Battenfeld Wittmann Battenfeld, a global leader in injection‑molding machines and automation, has upgraded all robots equipped with its R9 control system to include a real‑time video assistant powered by a digital twin. The twin is an electronic replica that mir

TM Robotics—Japan’s premier sales, service, and support partner for Shibaura Machine Industrial Robots (formerly Toshiba Machine)—has unveiled a complimentary robotics consultation service designed to help manufacturers unlock automation’s full potential for recovery and sustainable growth. With its

Hahn Automation, the German parent of Hahn Plastics Automation in Windsor, Connecticut, has launched a dedicated technology center focused on the healthcare sector. The move follows Hahn’s strategic acquisition of Invotec Deutschland GmbH in August, which is now operating under the name Hahn Automat

ROEQ, a Danish manufacturer of mobile robotic equipment distributed in the U.S. by Hartfiel Automation (Eden Prairie, Minn.), has launched the GuardCom line of top rollers—conveyors mounted on mobile robots. Unlike existing solutions that rely on Wi‑Fi, GuardCom uses high‑speed sensors to provide in

Thermoforming equipment manufacturer Brown Machine Group (BMG), headquartered in Beaverton, Michigan, has announced the acquisition of the robotics capabilities of automation specialist aXatronics, based in Loveland, Ohio. BMG delivers thermoforming equipment, tooling, and automated material handlin

The Yaskawa Motoman HC20XP is a groundbreaking collaborative robot (cobot) designed for demanding sanitary environments. With a 20‑kg (44‑lb) payload and a 1700‑mm reach in both horizontal and vertical directions, it delivers the agility and strength required for complex manufacturing tasks while ma

A new linear seventh axis, free downloadable control software, and a fresh line of modular components are now available for igus’s Low‑Cost Automation platform (see the February Close‑Up on robots at K 2019). The company’s four‑ and five‑axis RoBOLINK DP articulated‑arm robots already feature a sixt

igus recently unveiled several advancements in its flexible plastic energy chains—known as e‑chains—used across robotics and automation. The company is now accepting used e‑chains from any manufacturer for recycling, having already reclaimed one to two tons of cable since December. For clean‑room e