Blue Ash, Ohio-based Milacron introduced the next generation of a top-selling, all-electric machine series after making upgrades to improve flexibility and lower life cycle costs.
The Fanuc Roboshot Alpha-SiB series is replacing the SiA series as Milacron continues a partnership with Fanuc in the Americas that dates back more than 35 years.
The Alpha-SiB series comes in 55-, 110-, 140-, 165- and 240-ton models with variations of injection capacity. It will replace the SiA series over the next 12 months, according to Kent Royer, technical product manager for Roboshot. The goal was to expand the flexibility of the Roboshot line with smaller injection capacity models in multiple sizes for high-precision molding applications.
“One machine can handle a wider variety of applications and shot sizes, thereby eliminating the need to order specialty machines and lowering capital costs,” Royer said in an email.
Milacron will deliver its first Alpha S140iB to a custom molder in Wisconsin in the second quarter of 2021.
Milacron and Fanuc partnered to adapt the Roboshot Alpha product line to meet the requirements of a wider variety of applications on both the clamping and injection unit. Special features were specifically developed for applications for the medical, optics, electrical connectors, packaging and liquid silicone rubber markets.
“Over the last two years, these systems have proven to be invaluable for the medical and packaging industries,” Royer said.
Milacron’s technical experts used 3D modeling to develop new high-flow-capacity water systems to prevent operation without water flow.
“With the 3D modeling, the time needed to design these systems is greatly reduced because it can all be done on the 3D-CAD systems while looking for routing, mounting components and avoiding mechanical interferences,” Royer said. “Without it, it becomes very difficult to design and build on the production floor.”
The Alpha-SiB series comes with a higher resolution and better-performing control system and new electrical standards.
In addition, Milacron has made several optional features a standard part of the iB series to make it a more flexible platform. This includes increased mold stack height, three-stage air eject, expanded automation and sequencing for the Internet of Things, and precision clamp force control for consistent venting and reduced mold wear.
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