MPI continues to revolutionize the technology of producing and processing patterns and cores with the introduction of a full line of automated injection cells. MPI automated injection cells allow you the flexibility to make patterns or cores from the simplest commercial parts to complex patterns or cores required by the medical and aerospace industries including single crystal turbine blades. By combining the highest levels of automation into our SMART injection systems, MPI is able to consistently produce high-quality, high-volume patterns and cores. These self-contained automated injection cells are equipped with an MPI injector, pattern or core conveyor, automatic tool change station, and a 6-axis robot, and any additional stations required for your process, such as part marking, reforming, etc. The automated injection cells also feature MPI’s Smart Controls™, providing the operator with intuitive, user-friendly access to the cell central process controls. MPI engineers have integrated the robot controls into the operator’s interface terminal OIT so operation of the automated inject cells does not require any robot programming knowledge. A typical operator can be trained to run these cells in one day.
Automated Injection Cells
Robust Performance
and Flexible Configuration
Automated Injection designed to meet your unique requirements
MPI has incorporated the best process controls into every automated function for example, inserting ceramic cores, injection and pattern removal, pattern or core setting, injection runner trimming and inspection, and more. The robotic end-of-arm tooling on the automated injection cells have also been specifically designed for automation and allows for rapid tool changes from a tooling library. Smart Controls™ are capable of converting all cell parameters into easy-to-access recipes that can be operated by typical wax-room personnel.
- Examples of cell capabilities
- Lubricate/mold release spray
- Precision placement of inserts in die
- Programmable pattern and core trimming
- Inspection
- Dip sealing
- Built with MPI’s world-class injectors
- Versatile 6-axis robots can easily handle any pattern or core.
- Intuitive Smart Controls™ ensures consistent results with virtually no supervision.
- Robot programming knowledge not required to run the cell – operator can be trained in one day.
- Automated tool change allows for job changeover in less than a minute.
- Automatic tool ID ensures the tools picked by the robot match the product being injected.
- Standalone system can be integrated into a fully automated wax room.
- Optional bar code reader allows simple loading of recipes.
- Examples of cell capabilities
- Lubricate/mold release spray
- Precision placement of inserts in die
- Programmable pattern and core trimming
- Inspection
- Dip sealing
- Built with MPI’s world-class injectors
- Versatile 6-axis robots can easily handle any pattern or core.
- Intuitive Smart Controls™ ensures consistent results with virtually no supervision.
- Robot programming knowledge not required to run the cell – operator can be trained in one day.
- Automated tool change allows for job changeover in less than a minute.
- Automatic tool ID ensures the tools picked by the robot match the product being injected.
- Standalone system can be integrated into a fully automated wax room.
- Optional bar code reader allows simple loading of recipes.
Automate Your Way to Increased Profitability
The benefits of automation are undeniable; by eliminating process variation, including operator variation and providing accurate process control you will not only see substantial increases in terms of productivity and uniformity, it will have a dramatic impact on profitability as well.
Our automation partners experience:
- Increased casting yields by up to 30%
- Reduced scrap by an average of 50%
- Cycle times 2-5x faster
- Perfect patterns and cores 100% of the time
- Increased patterns and cores produced per day by more than 100%
- Increased casting yields by up to 30%
- Reduced scrap by an average of 50%
- Cycle times 2-5x faster
- Perfect patterns and cores 100% of the time
- Increased patterns and cores produced per day by more than 100%
Total Control at Your Fingertips
All automated injection cells are equipped with MPI’s intuitive Smart System Process Controls. This system allows you to monitor all aspects of the system during operation. The controls are also the access point to all other critical data and machine functions.
Main Operator Interface Terminal (OIT)
The work area in the center of the data monitor window includes interactive OIT touch screen buttons that allow you to monitor the process without ever having to access the Robot Teach pendant:
- Injection data
- Robot status
- Tray data
- Tool station activity
- Pattern and core loading
- Inspection
Inject Data Window
The simple, intuitive displays all key injection process parameters from the cell central control. The injection pattern and core placement window enables an average operator to optimize robot pick-and-place positions within the injection machine independently without the use of the robot teach pendant. Screen data includes:
- View of the injection machine from the cell central control
- View and record injection key process variables (KPV)
- Central login, messages, and alarms
- Injection pattern and core placement window to enable the pattern or core pick and placement positions to be optimized without the use of the robot teach pendant
Recipe Interface
The recipe window allows you to manage all data parameters required for running a job. From this window you can:
- Create recipes
- Load recipes
- Change-over in one minute
- Save recipes
- Edit recipes
- Delete recipes
Come to MPI and experience Automation and learn more about your ROI opportunities in our Tech Center.
The team at MPI would love to have you come visit our facility in New York, tour our plant, see automated wax injection and automated pattern assembly in person, and begin the process of looking at how we can apply these best practices to your wax room. Learn how repeatable pattern injection and pattern assembly can dramatically impact your scrap rates, throughput and casting yields, all of which shows up in your bottom line. Call today for details and to schedule a trip!