The WITTMANN R9 control
The WITTMANN R9 control
Steadily improved
Proven for years
The success of an application in the plastics processing industry depends on many different factors. The injection molding machine and the respective mold must be precisely matched to one another. The robot’s gripper must grip perfectly the part to be removed. The robot must be an integral part of the work cell and in turn must be perfectly adapted to the application. However, if the communication between the individual components is not correct, i.e. the process flow does not run smoothly, it is impossible to achieve smooth production. This is where the WITTMANN R9 control comes into play.
A few years have passed since WITTMANN presented the R9 control for the first time at the K 2016. Based on feedback from users and technology partners, the R9 has been repeatedly refined and optimized over the years.
For example, you can choose between two programming procedures. The so-called QuickNew Wizard is available to a user who would like to get support from the control when creating the program. Standard commands relevant to the program are then automatically taken into account in the program sequence – without any action on the part of the operator – for example waiting commands such as “mold open” or “ejector in position”. In this way, the program can be created – with all traceability – without in-depth prior knowledge. However, should a “mishap” occur during programming, the standard ACD collision monitoring (Anti Collision Detection) helps to avoid damage.
More experienced users who want to transfer existing programs from the previous R8 version to the new control version can use the TextEditor. The TextEditor mode grants full access to all programming options and gives the operator all the freedom to design the program according to his wishes.
As it has been the case over the past few years, the basic concept of the R9 is constantly being expanded to include additional functions:
- VacuumLevel: flexible adjustment of the vacuum monitoring using a teach command
- Handling/partgroups: logical grouping of commands
- OPC-UA interface: communication with host computer systems
“We are proud that with the introduction of the R9 control we have succeeded in fitting in what could be called the large footprints left by the previous solution, the R8.
First and foremost, it should be emphasized that the R9 robot TeachBox can now be used as a visualization medium for a wide variety of devices that are connected to it via Wittmann 4.0.
Together with the standard built-in OPC-UA interface, it will be possible to offer many other options in the field of work cell operation in the future.”
Martin Stammhammer, International Sales Manager Robots and Automation at WITTMANN Technology in Vienna
