Compact, flexible and configurable robotic system enables full automated handling of trim press products.

BEAVERTON, Michigan - BMG announces the Mantis Robotic Trim Press Handler from NAS Nalle Automation Systems, the industry's first robotic automated system that reliably handles the flow of parts ejected from any trim press. This compact, intuitive, and configurable system enables full automation of the entire thermoforming process — from resin to palletized product — for medium to high volume production lines using either non-servo continuous flow or servo-driven long eject trim presses.

Previously, parts ejected from non-servo trim presses needed to be manually separated and counted, a labor-intensive, error-prone, and inconsistent process that limits the automation of downstream packaging functions. NAS solved this problem with the patent-pending Trim Press Receiver (TPR) which uses a unique separating mechanism to count and contain stacks of product, followed by a raking mechanism to take the product into the receiver for transfer by the robot.

"Consistent and reliable separation of product on a continuously flowing, non-servo eject trim press was the key to the development of Mantis", according to Kurt Huelsman, President of NAS. "The design of the receiver coupled with NAS's robotic automation capabilities brings a safe, productive and cost-effective solution to a historically very manual process."

The TPR presents the parts to a six-axis robot equipped with product matching End of Arm Tooling that in turn automatically transfers the product to a Shuttle Station, which integrates with downstream packaging functions that may include wrapping, boxing, case packing, sealing, and palletizing. Incorporating the robot allows the Mantis system to be very compact and configurable, making installation possible where the available floor space is limited or obstructed.

The Mantis Robotic Trim Press Handler is compatible with all trim presses, including BMG brands Brown and Lyle. The fully automated system can reduce labor requirements by up to 75% and the modular robotic design allows for tool changeovers in under an hour.