WITTMANN unveils latest PRIMUS robot

The basic issue is well known: price pressure in manufacturing plastic products is continuously on the increase. Companies are faced with growing global competition, which is why low-cost automation solutions are more and more in demand for small injection molding machines too. For WITTMANN, this trend was one of the drivers prompting the development of its PRIMUS series. WITTMANN delivers to processors the reliable high quality of the largest European linear robot manufacturer. At the same time, the company constantly strives to adapt the functionality of its products even better to the simpler applications of its customers. 

The PRIMUS appliance series began with PRIMUS 16, with 5 kg load capacity and laid out for injection molding machines with clamping forces that range from 120 to 250 t. In order to serve the market for compact applications even better, WITTMANN is now introducing its new model PRIMUS 14 with a load capacity of 2 kg. Like the larger model PRIMUS 16, this robot is specially designed for pick & place applications.

Primus 14

PRIMUS 14 is laid out for a clamping force range from 50 to 150 t. Since this range, in particular, consists of injection molding machines with extremely compact dimensions, the mechanism of this appliance has been further optimized, compared to the larger PRIMUS 16. One outcome of this optimization is an extremely compact control cabinet, which can be optimally integrated into the protective frame of the injection molding machine. The resulting benefit for the user is that the costs which may be incurred for further safety measures – such as additional sheet metal cladding or protective elements – can be reduced or dispensed with altogether. The horizontal axis of the robot covers a length ranging from 900 to 2,000 mm. The optimal cable management system used permits a highly compact carrier geometry without additional lateral overlengths for the energy chain. This reduces the required installation space between the protective gates of the injection molding machine to a minimum, and parts depositing inside the protective frame becomes possible. The vertical axis has a stroke of up to 1,000 mm, the demolding axis comes with a stroke of 440 mm. The equipment package is rounded off with the R8 manual data input device and the PRIMUS control system. The control system provides intuitive operation, and users who are familiar with the WITTMANN R8 control system will immediately feel at home with the PRIMUS control system. Just like its big brother PRIMUS 16, PRIMUS 14 uses the absolute encoders which are typical WITTMANN features. These prevent collisions – especially directly after the control system has been switched on – since the position of the robot is immediately recognized.

“We were somewhat surprised ourselves by the success of PRIMUS 16, but it has shown us that we are definitely on the right track. Therefore we also take special pleasure in our new PRIMUS 14, which especially due to its new geometries is even easier to install in existing equipment”, according to Mr. Martin Stammhammer, International Sales Manager Robots and Automation Systems of the WITTMANN Group.

The WITTMANN Group is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing of injection molding machines, robots and peripheral equipment for the plastics industry. Headquartered in Vienna/Austria, the WITTMANN Group consists of two main divisions, WITTMANN BATTENFELD and WITTMANN, which operate 8 production facilities in 5 countries, including 33 direct subsidiary offices located in all major plastics markets around the world.