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