Wittmann UK makes light work of new Rutland mouldings

Automation and materials handling expert Wittmann UK has been helping Rutland Plastics get the best out of its new large size injection moulding machines and begin automating its production of large sized mouldings.

Injection moulder, Rutland, established since 1956, has a diverse portfolio of own-product and contract moulding. Wittmann UK has been supplying linear robots to the Oakham-based company since 1990 and the Wellingborough-based specialists was first in line when it came to designing an automated cell around Rutland’s newly ordered injection moulding machine of 1700 tonne locking force. Rutland Plastics has a fleet of some 25 injection moulding machines and the 1700 tonner is its newest and largest acquisition.

Rutland’s automated de-moulding system was constructed around Wittmann’s W 663 robot. The robot is one of the largest supplied by Wittmann UK and can handle a maximum payload of 75 kilos. Wittmann UK engineers worked on a vacuum gripper design to handle mouldings of a typical weight of 35 kilos.

‘The parts are heavy for manual handling, and previously required a two man team to manage production,’ notes Barry Hill, Wittmann UK managing director. ‘Now we have a solution that automatically delivers the mouldings – onto a weighing scale and then – if passed fit for quality – transfers it onto a conveyor.’

The Wittmann UK design team travelled with Rutland to BMB’s factory in Italy to ensure that the tool design would match the scope and ambition for the automated aspects of the job.

Rutland Plastics is a privately owned business and has been ISO 9001 - 2000 qualified since 1989. Wittmann UK is also quality assured to the design standard of ISO 9001:2000.

Further details from Wittmann UK:Tel. 01933 275 777