by Lara Copeland, contributing editor Plastics Business It's a common joke at parties and a worry among laborers: robots taking over the world. But, employees of all levels at Wisconsin Plastics Inc. (WPI), located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, have embraced change by working in harmony with robots for one year. The contract injection molding company began taking steps to … [Read more...] about Implementing Cobots: Working Collaboratively with Robots at Wisconsin Plastics
Automation
The Path to Zero: Intertech Medical Develops Automated Work Cell
by Brittany Willes, contributing writer Plastics Business Integrated process control, automated quality inspection and reduction of bio-burden – that is what injection molder and contract manufacturer Intertech Medical, Denver, Colorado, set out to accomplish with the development of its latest machine-side, automated work cell. "We incurred three customer complaints … [Read more...] about The Path to Zero: Intertech Medical Develops Automated Work Cell
Successful Automation Implementation
by Dino Caparco, engineering operations manager Yushin America, Inc. Ensuring success for an automation project or initiative starts before the project is selected. Many organizations select projects that may not make sense or may not be within the capabilities of their support staff. This could lead to a failed attempt or a return on investment that is just a fraction of … [Read more...] about Successful Automation Implementation
Applying the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 in the Plastics Sector
by Steve Bieszczat, chief marketing officer IQMS Everyone is talking about the promise of the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and the related concept of Industry 4.0. But, discussions often are broadly conceptual, giving manufacturing operations managers and executives little real-world guidance on how to leverage new information and operational technologies to drive … [Read more...] about Applying the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 in the Plastics Sector
Robotics ROI: The Bottom Line on Automation
by Ronald K. Bryant, Yushin America When automating your facility, current perception is leaning toward classifying robots as a commodity, with purchasing decisions based solely on price and delivery. That is a path typically leading to a poor return on investment. What is the reason for your need to automate your molding process? Sometimes, what seem to be the most … [Read more...] about Robotics ROI: The Bottom Line on Automation