Sepro presents the ThundeRbot at Fakuma 2023, the fastest top-entry robot achieving groundbreaking Z-axis acceleration rates, revolutionizing the industry.
Weight reduction of the Z-arm and the use of innovative materials contribute to the ThundeRbot's remarkable speed.
The Sepro Connect dashboard offers real-time monitoring of operational data and alerts in case of deviations.
Sepro Reveals Lightning-Fast ThundeRbot Robot and Emphasizes the Importance of Automation in Injection Molding.
At the Fakuma 2023 trade fair, Sepro Group unveiled one of the fastest top-entry robots they have ever developed - the ThundeRbot. This concept demonstrates the shortest possible cycle time and achieved impressive Z-axis acceleration rates that are 2.6 times faster than the base model.
At the fair, the total cycle time was only 3.07 seconds, and the mold-open time, during which the robot arm enters the mold, removes the part, and exits again, was only 0.79 seconds.
The key to this remarkable speed lies in reducing the weight of the ThundeRbot's Z-arm, allowing it to achieve an acceleration of 80 m/s². This value is 45% faster than Sepro's previous fastest robots.
The use of carbon fiber-reinforced composite and hollow linear guide rails contributed significantly to the weight reduction. A 3D-printed End-of-Arm Tool (EOAT) with built-in air conduits for the gripper also helped in weight reduction.
The trade fair also marked the introduction of the Sepro Connect dashboard, which provides real-time insights into operational data from robots and injection molding machines. The system can send alerts if energy consumption deviates from set values.
Sepro emphasizes the importance of pairing robots with other automated equipment, such as insert-feeding, assembly, marking, inspection, and packaging systems, to provide a comprehensive automation solution.
François Bérot, Sepro's CTO, hints that some elements of this concept robot could become standard in the future. This includes self-lubricating pinions, optimized spacers, and inclined racks.
