TM Robotics in search of Middle Eastern partner

TM Robotics, the European robotics partner of Toshiba Machine, is actively expanding its operations in the Middle East and Africa and is searching for systems integrator partners from the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa. At present, the company handles the majority of its Middle Eastern business directly, but would like to introduce a new level of local expertise by working with plastics or packaging integrators to improve its offering.

TM Robotics handles the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's industrial robots throughout Europe and offers an extensive range of SCARA, six axis and Cartesian robots. The robots find applications in industries ranging from plastics and packaging to food and pharmaceuticals and electronics and cosmetics to automotive component handling.

The company believes that its Toshiba Machine SCARA is the most easy to use robot on the market, and also the easiest to integrate. As a result, once integration, training and programming costs are factored into the equation it can be the most effective for the end user. They argue that this means good business and satisfied clients for the integrator.

“Repeat business with the same end users is always the sign of a good integrator,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “We already have relationships that yield those kinds of results across Europe and in South Africa. We are now looking to fill in the geographical blanks between the two,” he continued.

“This isn’t simply a dot joining exercise though; it’s a serious strategic plan. There are some very impressive manufacturing companies in the Middle East that offer huge opportunities. But, like the rest of us, they are operating in a Global environment. As a result, budgets are tight and anything that can improve efficiency and reduce costs will be a benefit. Industrial robots bring these benefits and others.”

TM Robotics believes that the benefits of an industrial robot can be calculated simply by analysing the application and isolating the savings, costs and additional financial benefits of the installation. Subtracting the costs from the savings and the financial implications of the additional benefits, results in a figure that will demonstrate return on investment. Payback is achieved when the total saving figure, which will mount up month by month as savings are incurred, becomes greater than the total cost of the installation.

“Our systems integrator and distributor partners gain advantages from a host of benefits such as training, partner events and unique product developments, such as our industrial robot starter pack, which is an ideal training tool or introduction to robotics for novice end users. We’re looking for a partner who is knowledgeable in engineering with an awareness of mechanical and electrical applications. Naturally, they should also be experts in their sector; most likely plastics or packaging. We need someone that can work effectively, with our technical, guidance to take advantage of the new and exciting opportunities that are arising in the Middle Eastern markets,” concluded Smith.

SAVINGS
1. Labour costs saved by re-distributing existing workers elsewhere within the company
2. Maintenance costs saved by switching to robotics from an existing system
3. Changeover savings incurred as a result of the advantages of robotics over current system
4. Other overheads reduced as a result of manual labour no longer being required on this line

COSTS
1. The cost of the robot itself
2. The cost of programming
3. The cost of integration
4. The cost of associated equipment*
5. Training costs
* Such as vision or control equipment.

BENEFITS

1. Increased turnover and/or profit incurred due to increased production within the existing system
2. Increased turnover and/or profit incurred as the result of 24 hour operation or additional shifts

SAVINGS + BENEFITS - COSTS = ROI

Ends: 484 words (615 including box out text)

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 2, Bridge Gate Centre, Martinfield,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 1JG
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 290370
Fax: +44 (0)1707 376662
www: www.tmrobotics.co.uk and www.abot.eu.com
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk
Twitter: @TMRobotics

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, No. 2 the Garthlands, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST17 9ZP
Telephone: +44 (0) 1785 225416
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: www.stonejunction.co.uk
Blog: www.stone-junction.blogspot.com
Twitter: @RichieStone

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. Toshiba Machine offers an extensive range of SCARA, six axis and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE194/09/10

This article was produced exclusively for Middle Eastern Plastics magazine.

Automation firm offers free guide to robot payback

~ Simple equation for payback the key, claims TM Robotics ~

TM Robotics, the European sales partner of industrial robot manufacturer Toshiba Machine, has produced a free guide to obtaining payback on a robot installation. Published in August 2010, the company hopes the guide will act as a useful tool for experienced engineers and a reassuring introduction for those new to industrial automation.

Called ‘The Formula for Automated Payback’, the guide contains all the details needed to create a simple procedure that demonstrates payback on an installation. It also features a number of case studies intended to illustrate the theory it outlines.

“We are trying to dismiss some of the illusions people have about industrial robots,” explained Nigel Smith, MD of TM Robotics. “We believe that there are a number of unfounded beliefs about automation cost and ease of installation that hold back manufacturing. This is really a new way of viewing an installation; we are trying to give users a tool that will help them calculate payback at the earliest possible stage.”

The guide can be obtained by e-mailing sales@tmrobotics.co.uk or contacting the company on +44 (0)1707 290370.

Ends — 194 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 2, Bridge Gate Centre, Martinfield,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 1JG
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 290370
Fax: +44 (0)1707 376662
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/ and http://www.abot.eu.com/
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, No. 2 the Garthlands, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST17 9ZP
Telephone: +44 (0) 1785 225456
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/
Blog: http://www.stone-junction.blogspot.com/

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE076/08/10

Tattile partnership is a seamless vision

~ TM Robotics and Tattile srl partner to provide seamless vision solutions ~

TM Robotics has formed a partnership with Italian vision specialist Tattile srl to provide a complete robot vision solution to its customers across Europe and the globe. The partnership means that end users and integrators of Toshiba Machine industrial robots, provided by TM Robotics, have the option of using Tattile’s proprietary vision processors, cameras and software as part of a single, seamlessly integrated whole.

Reflecting Toshiba Machine’s easy-use robot philosophy, the vision systems provided by Tattile offer plug-and-play functionality and easily established connectivity with the entire range of Toshiba Machine SCARA, Cartesian and six axis robots. Robot programming is simple and conducted via a series of dedicated commands. Furthermore, Toshiba Machine’s newest range of controllers, the TS3000 and TS3100, offer Ethernet connectivity, which makes it simple to share vision from a single camera across multiple robots, reducing maintenance overheads and installation costs while increasing efficiency.

Established in 1988, Tattile designs and manufactures digital cameras, embedded vision systems and intelligent cameras for industrial, security, traffic and railway applications. The company is a world leader in GigaEthernet cameras with nearly 20 models available. These include monochrome and colour options, with in-camera image pre-processing (FPGA) and JPEG compression as options. Tattile also manufactures a wide line of high performance smart cameras (XP embedded®) and embedded analyser systems.

“It’s brilliant to be able to provide our customers with the option of using Tattile’s award winning products,” explained an enthusiastic Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “Tattile prides itself on its ability to bring systems to market very quickly, which is reflected in the flexibility and speed of our own network of integrators and distributors,” he continued. “I also like the fact that their plug-and-play systems reflect our own philosophy, which is all about making things straightforward for our customers. For us ‘easy’ is a virtue. It means productivity, efficiency and professionalism. Easy is achieving what you want to achieve quickly and elegantly. It’s the very essence of good engineering – making something that your competitors can make but making it better, more economically and quicker. We believe that this new relationship gracefully embodies this thinking.”

Ends: 370 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 2, Bridge Gate Centre, Martinfield,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 1JG
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 290370
Fax: +44 (0)1707 376662
www: http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml and http://www.blogger.com/www.abot.eu.com
e-mail: mailto:%20sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: mailto:richards@stonejunction.co.uk
Blog: http://www.blogger.com/www.stone-junction.blogspot.com
www: http://www.blogger.com/www.stonejunction.co.uk

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. Toshiba Machine offers an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE161/10/08

Six axis robot launch represents major development in European robot market

~ TM Robotics brings six axis Toshiba Machine robot to Europe ~

The new TV800 EZCell robot, launched in the UK by TM Robotics (Europe) this month, is the first six axis robot ever manufactured by Toshiba Machine. The launch represents a significant development in the automation market, because Toshiba Machine is now one of the only major players in the industry to offer a complete range of robot technologies - SCARA, Cartesian and six axis. Ideal for the manufacturing sector, the robot will find uses in a host of pick and place applications.

The TV800 has a total arm length of 800mm, a reach of 892mm and a composite maximum speed of 8.06 metres per second. The robot has a maximum cycle time of 0.4 to 0.5 seconds, repeatability of ±0.02mm and a maximum payload of five kilograms. Its controlled using Toshiba Machine’s new TS3100 controller, which is programmed in SCOL , a language similar to BASIC as are all Toshiba Machine industrial robots, and has the option of a teach pendant for easy access outside the robot cell.

“The TV800 completes the set for Toshiba Machine and for us,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “We now offer the widest range of SCARA robots on the market, a Cartesian solution that can be configured in literally hundreds of ways and a six axis robot that can be compared with the very best in its class. Coupled with the ability of our IP65 SCARA robot to compete, on an equal footing, with flexipickers in industries such as food and pharmaceuticals, our range now feels whole.”

The new six axis robot uses an absolute position detection system, with a robust AC motor at its heart. Axes one to six offer working envelopes of ±170º, -100 – +150º, -127 – +167º, ±190º, ±120º and ±360º respectively. They also feature maximum speeds of 237º/S, 240º/S, 288º/S, 350.5º/S, 484º/S, and 576º/S respectively. The allowable moment of inertia on axis four and five is 0.3kg · m2 and on axis six its 0.5kg · m2.

Ends — 334 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 2, Bridge Gate Centre, Martinfield,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 1JG
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 290370
Fax: +44 (0)1707 376662
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/ and
www.abot.eu.com
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE100/11/08

TM Robotics open day demonstrates investment despite the downturn

~ Event is held to mark major product launches and inaugurate new head office ~

TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd held an open day on November 27 to officially mark the launch of its new offices in Welwyn Garden City. Also unveiled at the event were Toshiba Machine’s first ever six axis robot, the TV800 EZcell, and a range of IP65 SCARA robots, for use in harsh environments or industries that demand sealing as standard – such as food and pharmaceuticals.

The launch of the TV800 EZcell represents a significant development in the automation market, because Toshiba Machine is now one of the only major players in the industry to offer a complete range of robot technologies - SCARA, Cartesian and six axis. The TV800 has a total arm length of 800mm, a reach of 892mm and a composite maximum speed of 8.06 metres per second. The robot has a maximum cycle time of 0.4 to 0.5 seconds, repeatability of ±0.02mm and a maximum payload of six kilograms.

The day was attended by representatives of TM Robotics’ distributors and integrators, from across Europe, as well as Toshiba Machine officials from Japan. Also at the event were the deputy mayor of Welwyn Garden City, Councillor Kim Morris, and Mike Wilson, the president of BARA (the British Robotics and Automation Association), who both delivered short speeches.

“It’s great to see such positive investment from a robot company in the UK,” said Wilson. “It’s particularly pleasing because, while it’s now showing real potential, the UK robot market has been static for some time. My feeling is that this is due to an under-appreciation of the potential for industrial robots by companies across the board. However, those firms that have embraced the technology have consistently demonstrated efficiency, productivity and profitability improvements as a result.”

“The move is a crucial part of the overall TM Robotics strategy, which is focused on getting closer to our distributors and integrators and providing them with improved training and support facilities,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics.

“Welwyn Garden City was a natural choice for our new location. It offers outstanding international transport links, thanks to its proximity to the major airports, and is ideally located in the UK to help us easily reach and service our British partners. The flexibility the new location provides mirrors the provision we are making for our partner companies,” he concluded.

"We are pleased to welcome TM Robotics to Welwyn Garden City. In challenging times for business and industry, it is exciting for the town that TM Robotics and Toshiba Machine have the confidence and ability to expand into our borough," said the deputy mayor, Councillor Kim Morris.

A copy of this press release is available to download at http://www.tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/.

Ends — 454 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 2, Bridge Gate Centre, Martinfield,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 1JG
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 290370
Fax: +44 (0)1707 376662
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/ and www.abot.eu.com
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE105/10/08

Robots save space at Motek ‘08

~ TM Robotics, Elmotec and ICS will show a series of space saving industrial robots at this year’s show ~

TM Robotics will be exhibiting at this year’s Motek, the international trade show for assembly and handling, in Stuttgart’s Neue Messe between September 22 and 25. The company can be found on two stands, the first of which is shared with ICS Industriedienstleistungen GmbH and can be found on stand 1229, in hall one. Here TM Robotics will be showing two of the smallest robots in the company’s range – the TH250A and the TH180. The second exhibit, which is shared with Elmotec, is in hall seven on stand 7438, and features a ceiling-mounted Toshiba Machine SCARA.

“There is a real theme of space saving in both of our exhibits this year,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “A ceiling mounted robot can be the best way of saving space in a robot cell, while the other two SCARA we are showing have such small footprints that they can be used in the most cramped environments. We are literally talking about robots the same size as a sheet of A4 paper. This reflects both the demand from end users for ever smaller and more efficient equipment and the broadening scope of the SCARA’s appeal. It is now very common to find these robots in labs and electronics manufacture, thanks to their outstanding precision and repeatability.”

The TH250A’s small size means its ideal in test and assembly applications, secondary packaging and laboratory handling. The robot features a built in PLC and has a payload of up to 3kg and repeatability of +/-0.01mm. The TH180 is also perfect for laboratory, education, electronics and other high precision assembly applications, thanks to its 180mm reach, 2kg payload and outstanding 0.35 second cycled time.

The TH450T, featured on the Elmotec stand, is amongst the quickest SCARA robots of its size on the market and achieves cycle times of less than 0.3 seconds. Arm lengths of 450mm and a payload of 5kg complement the TH450's enhanced speed capability, while repeatability is an impressive ±0.01mm. Linear and circular conveyor synchronisation capabilities are also offered, creating a very powerful package when combined with easily integrated vision systems. At Motek, the robot will be operating hand in hand with a dual conveyor tracking vision system, using two Cognex cameras, making it ideal for end of line packing.

The TM Robotics team will be on hand at the show to answer questions about the entire range of Toshiba Machine SCARA and Cartesian robots, as well as ABOT – an innovative system for opening packages in incoming goods operations. Video of the TH450T in operation at Munich’s specialist industrial robot show, Automatica, is available here. A copy of this press release is available to cut and paste from http://www.tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/.

Ends — 474 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/ and www.abot.eu.com
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE087/08/08

Ceiling mounted robot set for UK launch at PPMA

~ TM Robotics demonstrates vision for processing and packaging ~

TM Robotics will be exhibiting at this year’s PPMA show at the NEC between September 30 and October 2. The company can be found on stand number C71B, where it will be showing a ceiling mounted Toshiba Machine SCARA robot with vision provided by PCS Industries. The new robot is set to find applications in the processing and packaging sectors, where it will be used for a variety of pick and place tasks.

The TH450T is amongst the quickest SCARA robots of its size on the market and achieves cycle times of less than 0.3 seconds. Arm lengths of 450mm and a payload of 5kg complement the TH450's enhanced speed capability, while repeatability is an impressive ±0.01mm. Linear and circular conveyor synchronisation capabilities are also offered, creating a very powerful package when combined with easily integrated vision systems. At PPMA the robot will be operating hand in hand with robust Cognex cameras and vision, provided and integrated by PCS. This resultant conveyor tracking function makes the system ideal for end of line packaging.

“Ceiling mount capabilities make the TH450 much more versatile,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “The robot is already in use in a number of applications but its real potential lies in packaging for industries such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, food and cosmetics.”

The TM Robotics team will be on hand at the show to answer questions about the entire range of Toshiba Machine SCARA and Cartesian robots, as well as ABOT – an innovative system for opening packages in incoming goods operations.

Video of the TH450T in operation at Hannover’s specialist industrial robot show, Automatica, is available here. A copy of this press release is available to cut and paste from http://www.tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/.

Ends — 305 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/ and www.abot.eu.com
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE086/08/08

Ceiling mounted TH450 at PPMA/Automatica

This ceiling mounted TH450T was filmed at Automatica in June. The same system will be on show at PPMA in September/October.

CeMAT set for box opening payback

~ Innovative inbound goods system set to demonstrate six month ROI ~

TM Robotics, the European sales partner of Toshiba Machine and Cornerstone, will exhibit at CeMAT, the world's leading fair for intralogistics, in Hannover from May 27 to 31, 2008. The company will show the patented ABOT (Automated Box Opening Technology) system, a unique robotic solution for automating the opening and cutting of cases, boxes and cartons.

ABOT uses a set of sensors to measure a box moving down a built-in conveyor. It then tailors the way the box is cut to a pre-programmed pattern. Perfect for use in the retail, engineering and logistics industries where it finds applications in re-packaging operations, returns processing, stocking, distribution and replenishing picking shelves in order fulfilment. ABOT is capable of dealing with up to eighteen hundred cases per hour and TM Robotics believes that operations shifting 2,500 boxes a day will receive payback on the system in six months.

ABOT can accept material to be opened in any combination or order without the need to run the same size boxes, batches or groups together. Three different versions of the machine, ABOT ONE, ABOT DUO, and ABOT MAGNUM use single pass, double or triple pass conveyors for opening 600, 1200 or 1800 items per hour. ABOT DUO is based on a dual lane configuration to provide optimum output, while ABOT ONE caters for lower capacity operations on a more affordable budget. The MAGNUM version uses three lanes to provide ultra high capacity.

“We envisage the ABOT providing enormous benefits to engineering, handling and logistics companies by reducing worker injuries and damage to products,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “The machine can even be used for automating the production of point of display material as well as simply opening stock items. ABOT is well placed as a technology in CeMAT's concept of intralogistics,” he concluded.

ABOT was developed and patented in the US by Cornerstone Automation Systems Inc, a specialist in hardware and software solutions for logistics and warehouse operations.

Ends — 343 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader, http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535 Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/ e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/ e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk

REF: TRE052/02/08

TM Robotics and PCS Industries share a vision

~ First fruits of collaboration for the manufacturing industry will be shown at Easyfairs PACKTECH in March ~

TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd, the European robot sales partner of Toshiba Machine, has announced a new machine vision partnership agreement with UK firm PCS Industries. The arrangement offers customers an array of vision equipment and software products as well as the integration skills of PCS. The two companies will be exhibiting together at EasyFairs PACKTECH in March to demonstrate the efficacy of their range of solutions in the automation industry.

PCS Industries is an accredited Cognex partner. As a result it can provide assurances of a high standard of consultancy as well as the full range of products provided by the US machine vision giant. Furthermore, should the application require it, the company can also integrate vision products from almost any supplier across the globe.

“The last few years have shown us that our customers want a single point of contact and complete turn-key solutions,” explained Peter Jelf, technical director of PCS Industries. “As a result, we’ve moved away from the re-seller approach and back to the company’s roots as a complete solutions provider. The relationship with TM Robotics allows ours customers access to the company’s range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, which is a major step forward.”

“I have long felt that it’s better to be able to offer a complete package containing a separate vision system and robot, as opposed to a robot with an integrated camera,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “It gives the end user the best of all worlds – a robot designed and built by experts, software written by experts and a camera developed by experts. It also gives the integrator the chance to choose the right products for the job.”

TM Robotics and PCS Industries will share stand number 219 at PACKTECH, on March 12-13. The packaging, printing and converting technology show focuses on operational efficiency in packaging machinery and systems, end-of-line equipment and transit packaging. It’s relevant to companies in any area of packaging, from food to pharmaceuticals. The two companies will demonstrate a Cognex vision system working in partnership with a Toshiba Machine SCARA robot in a pick and place packaging application.

Ends — 395 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/ and www.abot.eu.com
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE057/01/08

Compact robot set to find uses in manufacturing, electronics and laboratory industries

~ TM Robotics launches a new version of the smallest robot in the Toshiba Machine range ~

The new Toshiba Machine TH350A, launched in the UK and Europe by TM Robotics, is amongst the most compact robots in its class, a quality complimented by its high speed, high payload and built in PLC.

Arm lengths of just 350mm and repeatability of ±0.01mm mean that the TH350A is best suited to applications where precision and accuracy are paramount. It’s payload of up to 3kg means that it has the ability to cope with the demands placed on it in the vast majority of such applications. However, when carrying a pay load of just 1kg it can deliver impressive cycle times of only 0.41 seconds. In addition, the robot’s clean room class ten equivalent (0.1 µm) means it is suitable for use in low pollutant manufacturing environments.

Combined with the TH350A’s high level of accuracy, the clean room classification makes it ideal for manufacturing electronic equipment, such as semiconductors or hard drives for instance, or for laboratory use. The robot is also expected to find applications in the general manufacturing industry handling small components.

“It has recently been predicted that by 2015 10% of Japan’s workforce in assembly and process operations will be robotic,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “The UK and Europe have quite a lot of catching up to do in order to remain competitive. Around 920,000 industrial robots were in use worldwide in 2005. Of these 52 per cent were in Asia, 32 per cent in Europe and 15 per cent in North America. Our ageing population and inflating wages mean we are more and more likely to become a community of knowledge workers. Robots like the TH350A allow manufacturers to remain competitive as this happens.”

The TH350A’s built in PLC can, regardless of robot operation and program, control I/O equipment. The SCARA uses a Toshiba Machine TS1000 robot controller and can be programmed using SCOL, a proprietary language similar to BASIC. As an option it can feature devicenet or Profi-bus connectivity. A further option is the Toshiba Machine teach pendant, an external switch pad that can be used to direct the robot through a sequence of movements.

Weighing just 14kg with a maximum height including the cable harness of 635cm the robot is suitable for use in very small cells, further emphasising its versatility. The TH350A will replace the TH350 in the Toshiba Machine portfolio of industrial robots.

Ends — 434 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/ and www.abot.eu.com
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE030/08/07

Ceiling mounted robot shows advanced vision at Motek

~ TM Robotics also set to show large capacity handling, assembly and palletising robot ~

Motek, September 24 – 27, 2007, The New Trade Fair Centre, Stuttgart, Hall 1, Stand 1229

TM Robotics and Toshiba Machine, the manufacturer of industrial robots, will be exhibiting ceiling mounted assembly and handling robots as well as a palletising SCARA Robot at this year’s Motek show. The robots’ functionality will be enhanced using a Sony Scorpion smart camera and an advanced conveyor tracking system.

The ceiling mounted robot, designated the TH450, saves space in the manufacturing cell by allowing access to the working area from above. It is amongst the quickest SCARA robots of its size on the market, achieving cycle times of less than 0.3 seconds. An arm length of 450mm and a payload of 5kg complement the TH450's enhanced speed capability while repeatability is an impressive ±0.01mm. The robot’s controller also features a built in PLC, allowing for complete system control.

The TH450 will be communicating with a Sony Scorpion smart camera, provided by Scorpion Vision Ltd in the UK. The system consists of a rugged, industrial vision CCD (charge coupled device) camera, featuring an in-built PC and using Scorpion open software. The latter is founded on a standard Windows 2000 / XP PC platform – making it simple to use and scalable.

The ceiling mounted TH450 will be using an innovative conveyor and vision tracking system, which demonstrates not only the function of tracking items as they move along a conveyor, but also the robot’s ability to determine the parts’ orientation and discriminate between different products. With the new conveyor tracking system it is possible to construct an inexpensive and high speed line using existing industrial vision sensors, linked via industry-standard Ethernet. The robots’ movements can be interpolated to the conveyors direction and speed; therefore products can be picked without ever needing to stop the conveyor. The system has also been designed for multiple conveyors – for example, the conveyor tracking synchronisation can be executed on one conveyor for picking a part and then synchronized to a second conveyor for placing the part.

The larger palletising SCARA robot on display has a reach of 1,050mm, which, together with a maximum payload capacity of 20kg, makes the TH1050 one of the most versatile machines in its class. The robot is also suitable for a variety of manufacturing applications and other key features include high operating speeds with maximum z-axis linear and rotational speeds of 2,000mm/s and 1,147°/s respectively. Like other models in the TH range, it offers an exceptionally large working envelope of 320°, maximising its functionality in the robot cell.
Words: 443

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/ and www.abot.eu.com
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk

Ref: TRE0029/0707

Open day set to introduce unique box opening technology to new audience

~ Event will also feature TM SCARA and Cartesian robots along side Gudel’s range of Gantry Palletising Systems ~

TM Robotics will be exhibiting its new ABOT box opening system and its range of Toshiba Machine SCARA and Cartesian robots at this year’s series of Güdel UK open days. The events will take place at Güdel’s Coventry plant from June 18 to June 21.

ABOT (Automated Box Opening Technology) automates the goods inward process and increases production while also improving health and safety standards by reducing worker injuries. TM Robotics believes that operations shifting 2,500 boxes a day will receive payback in just six months. ABOT uses light sensors to measure a box moving down a built-in conveyor. It then tailors the way the box is cut to a pre-programmed pattern. Perfect for use in the logistics industries, or indeed any business that opens a high volume of boxes, ABOT is capable of dealing with up to twelve hundred cases per hour. To further promote the ABOT, TM Robotics has launched a dedicated Web site - http://www.abot.eu.com/. Visitors to the site can watch and download videos of the system and details of its operation.

The event will also take in a range of Güdel products including an order picking gantry system featuring bespoke gripper technology, a pick and place gantry robot and a heavy duty gripper application, which, on installation, will handle up to two tons of customer product. Industries that will be covered include logistics, handling, food, FMCG (fast moving consumer goods), the frozen and chilled industry and warehousing. Entry to the event is by invitation only and interested parties should contact either Güdel or TM Robotics to receive their invitation.

“The day is a good chance for customers and potential customers to assess the technology available to them and perhaps learn a little more about complimentary technologies,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “It’s also an opportunity for buyers of industrial robots and gantry systems to see the ABOT technology, and find out more about how it could be applied in an industrial environment.”

Ends — 361 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information from TM Robotics contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/ and www.abot.eu.com
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

For further information from Güdel contact: Mike Vernon
5 Wickmans Drive, Coventry, West Midlands, CV4 9XA
Telephone: +44 (0) 24 7669 5444
Fax: +44 (0) 24 7669 5666
e-mail: mike.vernon@uk.gudel.com
www: http://www.gudel.com/

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE033/05/07

Super SCARA, improved aesthetics, extends array of robots

~ TM Robotics launches short arm length SCARA ~

TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd has launched a new Toshiba Machine SCARA robot in the UK and European markets. Called the TH250A, it offers improved speed compared to existing robots in the range, providing quicker cycle times allied to high levels of accuracy. The robot is based on a previous SCARA, the Toshiba Machine TH250 and replaces it in the range. However the new, more cost effective, model represents a significant visual improvement compared with the old version.

The robot will find applications in the general manufacturing industry as well as in electronics, plastics, packaging, pharmaceutical, automotive component handling and food. Uses could include test and assembly and placing small components, secondary packaging or laboratory handling. The new SCARA features absolute encoders as standard, dispensing with the need for a home return function, a payload of up to 3kg and repeatability of+/-0.01mm.

“The TH250A represents a triumph of product design,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “Aesthetically it’s superior to anything available on the market. While this might seem unimportant, simple and clean design can make a robot appear easier to use and less daunting. Our objective is to encourage businesses that might not yet have considered robot automation to do so now. Given that this robot already offers improved functionality and more competitive pricing, the enhanced appearance is a further step towards this goal.”

The TH250A features a built in PLC which, regardless of robot operation and program, can control I/O equipment. It can be programmed using a ladder sequence program and, as an option, can feature devicenet or Profi-bus connectivity. A further option is the Toshiba Machine teach pendant, an external switch pad that can be used to direct the robot through a sequence of movements.

The Toshiba Machine robot range will now extend from the TH-250A, which has an arm length of 250mm, through the general purpose SCARAs with arm lengths between 450mm and 1050mm, up to the large palletising SCARA with a 1950mm reach and a payload of up to 70kgs.

Ends — 368 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: www.tmrobotics.co.uk
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 33 Kirkdale,
Sydenham, London, SE26 4BT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE028/03/07

New vision partnership set to enhance Toshiba Machine robot capability

~ TM Robotics (Europe) and Scorpion Vision Limited put a sting in the tail of robot vision ~

TM Robotics (Europe) has teamed up with Scorpion Vision Ltd to offer an industrial robot solution using Toshiba Machine SCARA robots, Sony Scorpion smart cameras and the Scorpion open software tool for industrial vision. The new package will allow engineers in the plastics, packaging, food, automotive, pharmaceutical, plastics and general manufacturing industries to easily integrate their own automation and industrial vision applications.

The Sony Scorpion smart camera is a rugged, industrial vision package comprising an in-built PC and a high-end CCD (charge coupled device) camera. The entire unit is no bigger than a typical CCTV camera, easily networked and simple to set up and integrate. It supports Windows® XPe and Linux® operating systems, allowing OEMs and system integrators to install a variety of software applications and third party libraries. The Scorpion open software is founded on a standard Windows 2000 / XP PC platform – making it simple to use and scalable. It’s authored by Tordivel AS of Norway and distributed in the UK by Scorpion Vision.

Commenting on the state of the machine vision market Paul Wilson, a director of Scorpion said, “Machine vision has matured to a stage where it is now regarded as a fully integrated component. It makes the robot system much more flexible because you no longer have to train the robot in every move, instead it responds to the vision prompts. The crux of the issue is that vision is no longer seen as a luxury for very high-end systems. We can now sell off-the-shelf solutions, even online. You can build a robot vision system for a few thousand pounds or less, making this very accessible technology.”

“This relationship is rewarding for both parties,” explained Wilson. “We bring a number of Scorpion Vision resellers in a range of industries that are eager to incorporate a Toshiba Machine robot into their existing package. In turn TM Robotics is able to offer a complete solution direct to its customers and through its integration partners,” he concluded.

“I have long felt that it’s better to be able offer a complete package containing a separate vision system and robot, as opposed to a robot with an integrated camera,” explained Richard Hill, technical director of TM Robotics. “It gives the end user the best of all worlds – a robot designed and built by experts, software written by experts and a camera developed by experts. It also gives the integrator the chance to choose the right camera for the job.”

Ends — 441 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: www.tmrobotics.co.uk
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 24A Waldram Park Road,
Forest Hill, London, SE23 2PN
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE016/01/07

Ceiling mounted SCARA robot set to save space and improve access to working areas

~ TM Robotics launches Toshiba Machine ceiling mounted SCARA ~

TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd has launched a ceiling mounted version of the Toshiba Machine TH450 SCARA (Selective Compliant Assembly Robot Arm), which will save space in the manufacturing cell by allowing access to the working area from above. The robot is set to find applications in a range of manufacturing sectors where it will be used for a variety of pick and place tasks.

The TH450 is amongst the quickest SCARA robots of its size on the market and achieves cycle times of less than 0.3 seconds. Arm lengths of 450mm and a payload of 5kg complement the TH450's enhanced speed capability while repeatability is an impressive ±0.01mm. Linear and circular conveyor synchronisation capabilities are also offered, creating a very powerful package when combined with easily integrated vision systems.

“Ceiling mount capabilities make the TH450 much more versatile,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “The function is already in use in a number of applications but the big advantage of building it into a catalogue product is that it saves engineering time for the end user and the integrator.”

The new robot's user-friendly TS2000 controller features a built-in PLC, allowing for complete system control. The TS2000 controller is equipped with 70 I/O as standard but expandable up to 166, to satisfy even the thirstiest requirements.

The robot programming language is SCOL, which is similar to BASIC and this can be used across the complete Toshiba Machine SCARA and Cartesian robot ranges. Motion control commands include single axis motion, synchronous motion, linear interpolation, circular interpolation and arc motion.

An extensive range of control options includes Toshiba Machine's Windows based TSPC programming software, inclusive of 3D simulation of the robot movement. In addition Ethernet, DeviceNet and Profibus communications options provide further flexibility.

Ends — 318 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package http://www.sharpreader.net/.

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
Web: www.tmrobotics.co.uk
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 24A Waldram Park Road,
Forest Hill, London, SE23 2PN
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
Web: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE025/01/07

New technical sales manager for TM Robotics

~ Appointment calls for greater acceptance of robotics in UK ~

TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd has appointed Colin Reader as product manager for SCARA (Selectively Compliant Articulated Robot Arm) and Cartesian products in the UK and Ireland. The move comes in response to increased sales and an amplified interest in robotics from a host of industries including food processing, pharmaceuticals, electronics, automotive component handling and logistics.

Reader brings with him a wealth of heavyweight experience gained at SIEMENS, Bosch Rexroth, Matrix Machines and most recently Güdel UK. As technical sales manager of Bosch Automation Technology, he was instrumental in tripling his division’s turnover in just twelve months.

“I believe that people in the UK are unnecessarily wary of robotics, even though interest and use is currently increasing dramatically” explained Reader. “The reality is that a SCARA robot is a complete package, far easier to integrate than a linear system and much more versatile. Furthermore, thanks to the SCARA’s adaptability its cost of ownership is lower in the long term. Despite this there is a UK tradition of building pick and place systems in house, sourcing motors, drives, couplings and software and re-creating the wheel. Normally when this happens the final cost is higher and the efficacy lower.”

“My goal is to increase TM Robotics’ UK and Ireland sales. But, at the same time, it would bring me enormous satisfaction to help improve understanding of robotics in UK industry, even a by a fraction. In Japan you only have to clear your throat and a robot is installed to pass you a handkerchief. It would be great to work towards that level of acceptance in the UK.”

Ends — 277 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact: Nigel Smith
SmithTM Robotics (Europe) Ltd, Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: www.tmrobotics.co.uk
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 24A Waldram Park Road,
Forest Hill, London, SE23 2PN
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: www.stonejunction.co.uk

About TM Robotics: TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd is responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's Industrial Robots throughout Europe. The two companies offer an extensive range of SCARA and Cartesian robots, sold with the aid of a comprehensive network of system integration partners and distributors. Toshiba Machine’s SCARA robots find applications in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics, packaging and automotive component handling.

Ref: TRE016/09/06

Box opening payback in six months for handling, storage and logistics industries

~ Toshiba Machine robots provide flexibility, speed and accuracy ~


TM Robotics (Europe) Limited has launched a unique robotic system for automating the opening and cutting of cases, boxes and cartons in the European market. Called ABOT (Automated Box Opening Technology), the system was developed and patented in the US by Cornerstone Automation Systems Inc, a specialist in hardware and software solutions for logistics and warehouse operations. TM Robotics believes that operations shifting 2,500 boxes a day will receive payback on the system in six months.

The ABOT uses a vision system to measure a box moving down a built-in conveyor. It then tailors the way the box is cut to a pre-programmed pattern. Perfect for use in the handling, storage and logistics industries, ABOT is capable of dealing with up to twelve hundred cases per hour.

ABOT can accept material to be opened in any combination or order without the need to run the same size boxes, batches or groups together. The ABOT finds applications in re-packaging operations, returns processing, stocking, distribution and replenishing picking shelves in order fulfilment operations.

“We envisage the ABOT providing enormous benefits to handling, storage and logistics companies by reducing worker injuries and damage to products,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “The machine can even be used for automating the production of point of display material as well as simply opening stock items,” he continued.
Two different versions of the machine, ABOT ONE and ABOT DUO, use single pass through or double pass through conveyors for opening 600 or 1200 items per hour respectively. The latter option is based on a dual lane configuration to provide optimum output while the former caters for lower capacity operations on a more affordable budget.

The maximum case size is 760mm in length by 600mm wide and 500mm high. The minimum case size is 100x75x50mm in the same dimensions. Maximum cut depth is 7mm while minimum is 0.0mm, representing a perforation. Options include an automated blade changer, a blade integrity monitor, double glass doors, glass panels, automated top removal, display and dispensing case cut patterns as well as inner packaging opening. Optional functions for the ABOT include case dimensioners, check weighers, label readers and bar code scanners, providing several verification options for products received.

Ends — 419 words

Editor’s note: If you want to stay constantly up to date on the latest news from TM Robotics, paste the following link into your RSS reader, http://tmrobotics-pr.blogspot.com/atom.xml. If you don’t have an RSS reader, I can recommend the following free package Sharp Reader.

For further information contact: Nigel Smith
TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd, Unit 15, The Weltech Centre,
Ridgeway,Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535 Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/ e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 24A Waldram Park Road,
Forest Hill, London, SE23 2PN
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/ e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk

REF: TRE002

A vision of the future

Motek, September 26 – 29, 2006, The Exhibition Centre Sinsheim, Hall 1, Stand 1326

~TM Robotics shows advanced vision system at Motek~

TM Robotics, the firm responsible for the sales, marketing and support of Toshiba Machine's industrial robots throughout Europe, will be demonstrating an innovative conveyor and vision tracking system at Motek this year. Based on two of the company’s TH450 SCARA Robots connected to a standard industrial vision system, it will demonstrate not only the function of tracking items as they move along a conveyor, but also the robot’s ability to determine the parts’ orientation and discriminate between different products.

“As a handling and assembly show, Motek is the perfect place to demonstrate our new system,” explained Nigel Smith managing director of TM Robotics. ”I believe it will find applications in industries as diverse as pharmaceuticals, packaging and food and electronics, machinery and equipment manufacturing and automotive component handling.”

With the new conveyor tracking system it is possible to construct an inexpensive and high speed line using existing industrial vision sensors, linked via industry-standard Ethernet. The robots’ movements can be interpolated to the conveyors direction and speed; therefore products can be picked without ever needing to stop the conveyor.

The vision sensor which provides the part coordinate data, can be positioned anywhere on the conveyor, upstream of the robots. Parts are then picked as they enter the robots’ working area. The system automatically identifies each work piece and can also perform part sharing or discriminative handling of the items between several robots on the same conveyor. The system has also been designed for multiple conveyors – for example, the conveyor tracking synchronisation can be executed on one conveyor for picking a part and then synchronized to a second conveyor for placing the part.

Examples of the extensive Toshiba Machine TH SCARA range and Cartesian robots are also on show at the stand. The TH series offers arm length from 250mm to 1050mm and can carry payloads from 3 to 20kg, with a positional accuracy of between 0.01mm and 0.03mm. These are extremely quick, accurate and cost effective, yet have extensive functionality. They are ideally suited to the handling and assembly of components and can position parts with extremely high levels of precision.

Words: 376

For further information contact:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd
Unit 15, The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,
Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Telephone: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk/
e-mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 24A Waldram Park Road,
Forest Hill, London, SE23 2PN
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk

Ref: TRE0010/1006

Eine Vision für die Zukunft

Motek, 26.-29. 2006 September, Messezentrum Sinsheim, Halle 1, Stand 1326

~TM Robotics zeigt anspruchsvolles Bildverarbeitungssystem auf der Motek~

Die Firma TM Robotics ist für Verkauf, Marketing und Support von Toshiba Machine Industrierobotern in Europa verantwortlich und wird auf der diesjährigen Motek ein innovatives Bildverarbeitungssystem zur Überwachung von Förderanlagen vorstellen. Das System basiert auf zwei TM RA-Robotern vom Typ TH450 und einem handelsüblichen industriellen Bildverarbeitungssystem. Es demonstriert die Überwachungsfunktion für bewegliche Objekte und die Fähigkeit der Roboter zur Bestimmung der Orientierung von Teilen und zur Unterscheidung zwischen verschiedenen Produkten.

„Als Fachmesse für Montage- und Handhabungstechnik ist Motek der ideale Ort um unser neues System vorzuführen,“ erläutert Nigel Smith, Geschäftsführer von TM Robotics. „Das System kann in den verschiedensten Industriebereichen eingesetzt werden. Beispiele sind Pharma, Verpackung, Lebensmittel, Elektronik, Maschinenbau und Fahrzeugkomponenten.“

Das neue System zur Überwachung von Förderbändern ermöglicht den kostengünstigen Aufbau von Hochgeschwindigkeitsanlagen auf der Grundlage handelsüblicher Bildverarbeitungssensoren mit Ethernet-Anschluss. Die Roboterbewegungen können je nach Bewegungsrichtung und Geschwindigkeit der Förderanlagen interpoliert werden. Daher können Produkte aufgenommen werden, ohne dass das Förderband angehalten werden muss.

Der Bildverarbeitungssensor, der die Koordinatendaten für die Teile zur Verfügung stellt, kann an beliebiger Stelle entlang des Förderbands vor den Robotern positioniert werden. Die Teile werden beim Einlaufen in den Arbeitsbereich des Roboters aufgenommen. Das System identifiziert sämtliche Teile automatisch und ermöglicht unterschiedliche Handhabung von Objekten durch mehrere Roboter auf demselben Förderband. Das System ist zur Synchronisation mehrere Förderanlagen geeignet. So kann zum Beispiel die Aufnahme und Ablage von Teilen zwischen verschiedenen Förderbändern synchronisiert werden.

Auf dem Messestand von Toshiba Machine werden außerdem weitere Modelle der TH SCARA-Reihe und (kartesische) Roboter zu sehen sein. Die TH-Reihe bietet Armlängen zwischen 250mm und 1050mm mit einer Tragfähigkeit zwischen 3kg und 20kg und einer Lagegenauigkeit zwischen 0,01mm und 0,03mm. Die Maschinen sind äußerst schnell, präzise und kostengünstig, bieten jedoch gleichzeitig umfassende Funktionalität. Sie eignen sich ideal für die Handhabung und Montage von Komponenten mit hoher Positionierpräzision.

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Für weitere Informationen wenden Sie sich bitte an:
Nigel Smith - TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd Unit 15,
The Weltech Centre, Ridgeway,Welwyn Garden City, Herts. AL7 2AA
Tel: +44 (0)1707 871535
Fax: +44 (0)1707 393959
www: www.tmrobotics.co.uk
E-Mail: sales@tmrobotics.co.uk

Presseanfragen: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 24A Waldram Park Road,
Forest Hill, London, SE23 2PN
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
www: www.stonejunction.co.uk
E-Mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk

Ref: TRE0010/1006