Yushin America is presenting more running work cells showing innovative applications of the operating robots than ever before, with systems in its booths and partner booths. Yushin’s newest Large series MKA robot debuts targeting heavy, molded parts in the appliance, automotive and industrial sectors. The 3-axis Cartesian-style MKA-2000S traverse robot features a movable kick beam and two-stage telescopic vertical arm. The steel traverse beam ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 mm with horizontal reach of 1,800 mm, while the telescopic arm’s vertical stroke goes from 2,500 to 3,000 mm. Yushin says the MKA-2000S robot can work on molding machines with clamp forces of 1,500 tons or more while handling payloads from 30 to 50 kg including end-of-arm tooling (EOAT). The MKA Large series, equipped with a 3-axis ABC servo wrist, will demonstrate EOAT exchange with Yushin’s patented EOAT quick-change plates.

An optional servo 3-axis ABC servo wrist unit enables precision control and motion comparable to a 6-axis articulated arm robot. Compared to predecessor models like the RBII-2500S, Yushin says MKA-2000S has 17% faster take-out times. Vibration damping during movement and stopping further shortens cycle times by 10%. Meanwhile, the MKA’s low-profile design enables low-overhead-clearance work envelopes and a reduced overall footprint.

Yushin is also introducing the new RC-SE Series take-out robots with low air consumption. The RC-SE Series targets molding machines with clamping forces between 30 and 1,300 tons, and its use of Yushin’s ECO Vacuum technology for reduced air consumption enables up to a 78% reduction in air consumption via constant suction-pressure monitoring. In addition to reduced electricity consumption, equipment costs related to air compressors can go down.

Long Life Mode automatically adjusts the take-out robot drive speed according to the molding cycle, reducing the amount of power being used by 5% according to Yushin’s in-house testing. This also extends the guide shaft’s and timing belt’s service lives. As with Yushin’s flagship FRA series, the RC-SE optimizes vibration control on all axes while applying predictive maintenance to minimize downtime.

The RC-SE model series will be running on three presses throughout the show floor, with a RC2-1525S-22-11-SE in Yushin’s booth operating on a Niigata MDVR85S8000 vertical injection molding machine molding battery canisters, while a RC2-2535S-15-13-SE robot will be on a Sumitomo SE180EVA machine molding a sip-and-grip handle (learn more below).

In the Niigata cell, a Yushin robot will work together with molding a two-cavity PP battery canister. The Yushin RC2-1525S-22-11-SE robot will place inserts into the mold and remove the finished product, while a 6-axis ABB robot locates the inserts using the Wemo Pic Vision System with vibration feeder, W-PVS-VF2. A Doosan cobot will be used to trim the parts and place them onto a Yushin conveyor.

The new YD series of take-out robots leverages knowledge gained from earlier versions for a range promising higher productivity, less downtime and a smaller environmental footprint. The YD series targets injection molding machines ranging in size from 30 to 1,500 tons and features carbon-fiber reinforced parts. Application of advanced composites results in a 46% improvement in flexural rigidity and 13% reduction in single-arm vibration amplitude, compared to previous models.

Yushin says the design optimization engineering, carbon-fiber components and standard vibration-damping controls result in faster settling times. The structure has been optimized for lower weight and natural oscillation, while increasing rigidity. The take-out diagnosis and predictive maintenance functions greatly prevent downtime, while the E-touch compact 3 controller adds several assist features to the previous YC series controller. Specifically, the cycle-up function, manual torque monitoring and all-axis manual operation screens have all been added to the robot’s teaching capabilities. The YD model series will be running on six presses across the show floor. A YD-0310S-14-7 will be in Yushin’s booth, floor mounted working on a LS Mtron theOne120E molding machine producing a 4-oz. airline cup.

Yushin latest and newest acquisition, WEMO Automation will be featuring WEMO’s x120 XLine series showing the relative ease of programming using the company’s W-HP12 Wemo Intuitive Programming Software (WIPS) 4.0 program.

In a high-speed molding and automation display, an LS Mtron theOne120E press molds four PS drinking cups. This cell features two Yushin robots: an HSA-150S-17-95-EII High Speed unit and a YD-0310S-11-7 standard pack-out robot. The High-speed HSA robot removes the cups with Yushin’s 4-cavity EOAT and then stacks them. The Yushin YD robot then picks up the stacked cups and moves them to a Yushin custom tote conveyor. Full totes are sent to the gravity roller outfeed conveyor, and a new tote conveys to the loading position.

A Shibaura EC200SXIII machine will mold a Kendama toy from PolySource ABS. The traditional Japanese skill toy consists of a handle with three cups and a ball, all of which are connected by a string. An FRA robot with custom EOAT will remove the toy components from the press but also feed and cut the string into the mold and assemble the parts. The string-handling equipment and custom assembly station were designed and built by Yushin Precision Equipment, Kyoto, Japan. An FRA robot will also “play” with the finished Kendama toy, challenging visitors to match its skills.

Yushin will also mold Grip-N-Sip can handles from Polyvisions’ DuraPET, which is a graft-modified PET based on post-consumer recycled polyester. The can handles will be molded on a Sumitomo SE180EVA injection molding machine paired with a Yushin RC2-2535S-15-13-SE robot featuring custom EOAT and a downstream assembly station. The robot will remove the parts from the machine and present them to an Leibinger IQJET printer, which will decorate the parts before a robot “assembles” the handle to a beverage can.

In addition to its booth, Yushin representatives are also scattered on the show floor supporting 11 molding companies in their booths, including: Boy Machines, Fortune International, JSW, LS Mtron, Matsui America, Niigata, Nissei, Plastrac, Shibaura, Sodick Plustech and Sumitomo Demag.

“With more than 25 robots and automation cells across 12 different booths,” Chris Parrillo, national sales manager for Yushin America says, “NPE2024 will be the largest exhibit in Yushin America's history. This is in direct response to the industry's ever -growing need for highly automated facilities. We will have smarter, more versatile robots than ever before, doing complex tasks such as: insert molding, assembly, packaging, decorating, degating, and visual inspection.”