Die Cast Machine Tending

A recent project integrated six robots to tend a die cast machine producing aluminum engine block in an automotive plant. Robots and custom automation stations inserted parts in a die, poured molten aluminum and extracted the casting. The casting was cooled, degated and etched with a barcode before being conveyed out of the cell.

The cell requires a single operator and can run for up to an hour unattended.

The techniques developed can be applied to a number of roles.

Industrial Applications

• Robot vision systems
• Accumulating tables
• Die insertion
• Ladling molten aluminum
• Die cast part extraction
• Hot part handling
• Spray cooling systems
• Automated removal of gates and flashing
• Automated barcode etching and confirmation
• Automated deburring