Servo-Driven Sprue Picker

Wittmann Group introduced a new servo-driven sprue picker and part removal robot at Fakuma 2023 in response to customer interest. The company notes that over the last two years, its clientele requested a full-servo robot and more flexibility for sprue and part removal.

To that end, Wittmann debuted the WX90 servo-driven removal device at Fakuma. The display work cell consisted of an EcoPower 110 injection molding machine, the new WX90 and an S-Max screenless granulator. The WX90 removes the sprue and, using a rotary servo axis, swings away from the mold area to the opposite side of the operator where it drops the sprue into the chute feeding the S-Max granulator.

Wittmann says that because of faster and more controlled axes, the removal time in the mold area is reduced, with the compressed air consumption minimized (only the nipper is pneumatically driven). Considering current energy costs, Wittmann estimates that the return on investment for the WX90 can be achieved in as little as 18 months.

The WX90 robot presented at Fakuma targets injection molding machines with clamping forces of 35 to 150 tons. The picker is fully integrated into the injection molding machine, thereby eliminating the need for a control cabinet, which reduces the robot’s cost and footprint. This also means the WX90’s control program is directly linked with the molding machine’s control and can be reproduced on the press’ controller.

In addition to the Fakuma version with the pneumatic nipper, the WX90 can be equipped with a vacuum circuit, enabling the device to remove finished parts. Wittmann says additional versions of the device are already being planned.