Build the solution around the production requirement.
1. Record the machine and mould envelope
Capture make, model, year, tonnage, platen dimensions, tie-bar spacing, mould height, mould-open and ejector strokes, core sequences and available mounting details. Measure ceiling height, walkways, services, adjacent machines and the proposed downstream destination.
2. Define the actual moving load
Add the EOAT, valves, sensors, cables, finished parts, runners and inserts. Record release force, product temperature and gripping constraints. Payload alone is not enough: moments, acceleration and reach influence the correct robot size.
3. Confirm the interface and sequence
The robot and moulding machine need defined permission, mould-open, ejector, core, robot-clear, emergency-stop and fault behaviours. Existing interfaces—including EUROMAP arrangements where present—must be inspected rather than assumed from the machine age or connector alone.
4. Design safeguarding and access
Guarding, interlocks and safe stopping must cover the integrated cell, including conveyors, granulators and downstream equipment. Operators still need practical access for mould changes, sampling, cleaning, fault recovery and maintenance.
5. Plan installation and production proving
The project plan should include any machine preparation, mounting, services, offline build, on-site shutdown, commissioning, sample trials, acceptance criteria, training, spares and production support.
Specification checklist
| Survey | Machine, mould, strokes, layout, ceiling, access and downstream equipment |
|---|---|
| Controls | Available signals, connector/interface, operating states and fault recovery |
| Safety | Guarding, interlocks, access, emergency stops and integrated risk assessment |
| Handover | Acceptance trials, documentation, training, maintenance and support |
Frequently asked questions
Can any injection moulding machine accept a robot?
Not automatically. Mounting, physical envelope, interface capability and a safe production sequence must all be verified.
What is the first retrofit step?
Collect machine and mould data plus photos, layout dimensions, part information and a short cycle video for an engineering review.
Can a retrofit include conveyors and packing?
Yes. A useful retrofit can extend from take-out through cooling, inspection, counting, stacking or packaging if the cell is designed as one process.