Greater efficiency, higher machine availability and lower costs: Sumitomo (SHI) Demag was presenting a comprehensive portfolio of integrated automation and robot solutions at K 2025. The company's eight fully electric injection moulding machines were showcasing future-proof modular digital solutions that enable full connectivity.
The exhibits were tailored to customer requirements for ease of use and optimised production cycles and can be flexibly adapted to a wide range of tasks. From compact top-entry systems for parts removal to fully autonomous 24-hour production and customer-specific applications with industrial robots: all five exhibits at the company's own stand were showcasing the breadth of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag automation technology.
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New production advantages SAM-C
As an example of the next evolutionary stage of the SAM-C series, a SAM-C5 with the latest features was presented at the own booth. The mechanics of the SAM-C series had been further optimised to make the best possible use of the available space in the production environment. This means that the SAM-C3 and SAM-C5 can now also impress in production environments with particularly low ceiling heights. Thanks to a new and more compact vertical axis, in combination with an IntElect 50 or 75, a total system height of less than 3 m can now be easily achieved without any technical restrictions, e.g. in terms of gripper size, as reported Jürgen Schulze, Director of Business Development Automation.
“The mechanics also offer all the advantages in terms of cleanliness and robustness, combined with high system availability. These advantages are rounded off by software optimised for the injection moulding process, which is very popular with users thanks to its low-code programming,” explained the automation specialist. To demonstrate its special performance capabilities, the robot is shown in a typical work cycle. With a cycle time of approx. 6 seconds, the removal/deposition process is demonstrated with a realistic gripper (5 kg). The robot already achieves this in the standard version and without any restrictions on the maximum permissible load capacity.
Another SAM-C robot (SAM-C20) – equipped with servo hand axes – was used on the IntElect Multi R. “The R-postition of the second injection unit enables the use of top-entry robots for automation solutions and results in additional cost savings,” explained Schulze. “Automation areas next to the injection moulding machine remain accessible, and the system footprint is maintained.”
More energy efficient with ECO mode
SAM-C robots already operate in an energy-efficient manner as standard with the latest ECO vacuum technology. “This functionality is achieved through sensor-guided vacuum monitoring, which significantly reduces energy consumption.” This is complemented by the SAM software with its extensive pneumatic function library and smart user interface, e.g. for parameter configuration.
Industry-specific solutions
The 420t PAC-E in a medical application at the Sumitomo (SHI) Demag stand was demonstrating the removal and stacking of 48 medical cups (30 ml) every three seconds. The complete solution was implemented with Otto Hofstetter AG and Zubler Handling AG.
Another PAC-E 420t with state-of-the-art inline printing ensures maximum efficiency in closure cap production. The CAPrint system from IMD Vista increases processing capacity by 46% and enables the customisation of 2,100 printed closures per minute. Each closure is also checked by a high-speed vision system. The automatic carton packaging system is also from IMD Vista.
In Hall 12, Nexus was manufacturing medical valves on an IntElect 130t LSR. A six-axis robot was removing 16 parts, transporting them to the slitting station and holding them in position during the slitting process – parallel to the next injection cycle.
Also in Hall 12, automation partner Sepro was presenting its new S-Line robot series on an IntElect S 130t. According to Sepro, the modular series had been specially developed for injection moulding machines. It is characterised by higher speed, larger strokes and higher load capacity.
In Hall 10, Technotrans was demonstrating the production of reusable and resealable lids on an IntElect S 75t equipped with a SAM-C5 robot in a ‘handle&place’ configuration.
Overall digital synergies
Digital connectivity is also gaining strategic importance. Open platforms enable seamless data exchange between machines, devices and systems from different manufacturers. However, successful integration requires consistent digital synergy.
At K 2025, all machines at the main stand were networked via myAssist, as reported Thomas Schilling, Product Manager Digital Solutions. “Thanks to this high level of data transparency, deviations can be detected at an early stage, data from all OPC UA sources can be merged and changes in the production process can be addressed immediately.”
Visitors could compare live data with historical data and select different time intervals. “To ensure smooth communication across all machines and robots, all elements – from sensors to process data – must speak the same language,” explained Schilling.
