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/.

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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.

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.
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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