Automation in Thermoset Molding Processing

In support of high-volume molding programs, Woodland Plastics offers various automation options in its manufacturing production to increase throughput, reduce costs, improving workforce safety, and remain competitive against global competitors. Woodland Plastics has developed and implemented a variety of automation processes into it’s business including both automation during molding such as press-side robotics and end of arm tooling, as well as automation in secondary processes such as automated inline deflash equipment and vision inspection systems. Applications that make sense to implement automation include high volume programs that require excellent efficiency, parts that require 100% inspection, or components needing a high throughput of secondary deflash to keep up cycle times with the molding presses.

Automation Spotlight – Robot with Automated Inline Deflash

In thermoset molding applications, parts come out of the mold hot, so extra precaution must be taken into end of arm tooling to ensure robotics and end of arms can properly handle the parts at elevated temperatures. Robots and end of arm tooling not only provide excellent efficiency, they also can handle large or heavy parts from the mold to alleviate any operator discomfort. Vision inspection systems using cameras or lasers can be implemented to verify tight tolerance dimensions or gate vestige, or to verify secondary processes such as grinding, lapping, or machining were performed to spec.