Index
NEW
>SAS<
Automation, introduces
RFID Robotic
End-of-Arm Tooling
 >SAS<
Automation introduces new Robotic End-of-Arm
Tooling (EOAT) with RFID tags to automatically ensure
the correct tooling is operating with the
corresponding operation and equipment.
RFID is an automatic
identification method, relying on storing and remotely
retrieving data using RFID tags. >SAS< has applied an
RFID tag in a Robotic End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT)
mounting plate to identify itself when mounted and
installed on a standard Quick Change Mounting Chuck,
mounted to the robot.
Important features of
this system are to identify the correct robotic EOAT
gripper is mounted to the robot running the applicable
program and confirm the rest of the critical equipment
is installed – including the correct die or mold in
stamping, plastics or packaging operations.
RFID is low cost
insurance against robot, tooling and part damage
because it quickly ensures the correct tooling is
running. RFID tags prevent costly damage due to system
crashes, reduces labor costs, and are critical during
line change-overs.
New >SAS< EOAT RFID has
built-in I/O capability up to 8 channels of RFID and
can be integrated into existing platforms, and
supports PROFIBUS ®-DP, DeviceNet ™, Modbus-TCP,
PROFINET and EtherNet/IP™. Furthermore the data
carriers use state-of-the-art FRAM storage technology
for virtually an unlimited number of write operations
and had high temperature data carriers rated up to
210°C.
NEW
>SAS< Automation, introduces Collision Sensors
 >SAS<
Automation introduces four new Collision
Sensors to prevent damage to parts, tooling and
robots.
>SAS< Collision Sensors
come in 4 different configurations to best meet
different tooling and manufacturing environments.
Collision Sensors send a signal to stop the robot when
it detects an obstacle – to prevent costly damage to
end effectors/end-of-arm tooling, parts and machinery.
“Sensors are low cost
insurance against robot, EOAT and part damage”, said
Joe Tracey, General Manager for SAS Automation. “>SAS<
EOAT junction boxes make adding and changing Collision
Sensors easily on the production floor. Any robot
operator will appreciate both the safety and cost
saving benefits associated with collision sensors,” he
added.
>SAS< Collision
Sensors:
- Pneumatic
High-Angle Collision Sensor – excellent for high
speed robots.
- Pneumatic
Collision Sensor – easily adjust resistance (for
stopping the robot) with this sensor.
- Pneumatic
Stainless Steel Collision Sensor – durable
stainless steel construction makes this sensor ideal
for demanding production environments.
- Spring-Loaded
Collision Sensor – provides crash protection
when compressed air is not available
>SAS< Automation –
announces General Manager
 SAS
Automation, LLC, announced Joseph L. Tracey, as
General Manager. This announcement was made by
President, Trent P. Fisher, PE.
“Tracey comes to >SAS<
Automation with a background perfect for us. It
includes a wealth of experience in manufacturing,
tooling, machining, engineering and management. We
welcome both his experience and enthusiasm for new
market growth,” said Fisher.
“>SAS< has enjoyed
above average market growth and is continuing its
expansion into other industries. Tracey will be
instrumental in managing these new market
initiatives,” added Fisher.
The General Manager
position oversees the US headquarter location –
Corporate engineering, new product development,
operations, sales (including North, Central & South
America and all of Asia), accounting, business
development, and marketing for all areas.
Prior to joining >SAS<,
Joseph Tracey was Executive Director of Business
Development for US Aeroteam, Inc., and President of
Global Tool & Manufacturing. Company, Inc., Dayton,
Ohio.
>SAS<
Automation introduces new Static Cutter
 SAS
introduces a Static Cutter for precision cutting that
can be easily mounted several ways: to an articulating
robot, statically mounted, or mounted directly to your
End-of-Arm Tool (EOAT). This economical and
lightweight cutting tool will provide accurate, low
cost cutting for a multitude of fan gate cutting
applications. The SAS Static Cutter includes a
standard box cutter knife, protected by a safety
guard, attached to an adjustable SAS elbow arm. The
knife blade can easily be replaced by a simple turn of
a locking handle.
According to John
Westbeld, Engineering Manager for SAS Automation, “Processors
will find this cutter to be both convenient and easy
to use. They will appreciate the ability to move it
around their workcell as their cutting applications
change.”
This cutter arm
assembly is both lightweight and low cost for maximum
efficiency in your cutting applications.
“Twist-On”
Cable Saddle Frame Connectors &
Wire ties for EOATs
 >SAS<
Automation announces a unique “Twist-On” Cable
Saddle frame connector and wire tie system for better
EOAT cable management. This system allows End-of-Arm
Tool builders to easily attach air hoses and or power
cables to the tool.
The unique “Twist-On”
design of the Cable Saddle allows the hoses or cables
to be removed and moved to other locations on the tool
as needed during the build process. Twisting the cable
saddle to lock into the profile provides a solid
connection to the profile and the ability to move the
cables or hoses without wasting the wire ties by
having to cut them off. The Cable Saddles are
available in 15mm and 25mm sizes to accommodate
various sizes of End-Of-Arm Tooling hoses and cables.
An opening built into the base of the Cable Saddle
allows for the wire ties to loop through, allowing for
the Cable Saddle to be permanently attached to the
cables or hoses.
End-Of-Arm Tooling
designers are challenged to develop tools that perform
more functions. Providing ways to build tools easier
and faster is a specialty of SAS Automation.
SAS
– introduces Gripper Plier Jaw Kit
 >SAS<
Automation announces individual jaw kits for the new
style of GRZ 20-16. The jaw kit consists of one jaw
and one hex screw pin.
This new jaw kit for
the GRZ 20-16 offers injection molders the ability to
interchange existing jaws for various size jaws. The
challenge to customize the application of a parts/sprue
plier led to the development of the GRZ 20-16 with
removable screws. This new jaw kit will provide
molders with the ability to easily interchange and
configure the jaw size by ordering kits of the same
size to customize their gripping requirements.
Customizing gripping
options offers processors greater flexibility in both
designing and configuring tools, right on the
production floor. SAS continues to provide solutions
that enable the production floor to handle unique
tooling requirements.
Internal
Spring Loaded Gripper Arm for Vacuum Cups
 SAS
Automation provides more EOAT gripping options, with
the introduction of a new lightweight gripper arm.
This gripper arm is uniquely designed with Delrin
& aluminum to keep the tool lightweight,
electrically insulated and wear resistant. The part is
ideal for tools requiring an electrostatic charge or
using IML (In Mold Labeling).
This SAS gripper arm is
internally spring-loaded for part compliance. The
internal spring prevents contamination from the
process or production environment. A threaded shaft
with jam nuts allows for easy plate mounting of the
gripper arm. The gripper is also end ported for vacuum
and keeps fittings away from other components such as
vacuum cups.
According to John
Westbeld, Engineering Manager for SAS Automation “Adding
this lightweight, yet durable gripper arm is one more
way that SAS is helping processors to reduce robot
wear and tear.”
SAS
Automation – Introduces New Rail Degater
 SAS
introduces a compact, modular degating system for fan
gates that will greatly enable companies to reduce
their finishing labor costs, and more importantly,
provide consistent clean cuts for fan gates. Mounted
on a rigid frame, this degating unit can be designed
to trim either straight or curved fan gates. Radiuses
as small as one inch (25.4 mm) can be achieved for
curved fan gates.
If and when necessary,
the cutting blade can be heated using solid state
controls thus requiring less force to make the cut.
The cutter blade driving mechanism can be selected
from either a pneumatic cylinder or belt driven from a
motor drive. In addition to a floor mount, this
degating unit can also be easily mounted to a gantry
robot beam for more complex degating.
According to SAS
Automation, General Manager, Richard Petz, “The SAS
Rail Degater incorporates innovative modular systems
that provide precision cutting for either straight or
curved fan gates. Processors will appreciate reducing
finishing costs, and the user friendliness of this
degater. Increasing speed to market with better
cutting -- is a driving force behind the many degaters
designed by SAS. We are proud to present such a labor
efficient degater.”
Actuated
Rib Gripper for internal fascia Mold Removal
 SAS
Automation announces the design of a new GRZ style
gripper. The GRZ 32EC-30 Actuated Rib Gripper was
designed to remove automotive bumper fascias from the
“A” side of the mold.
The gripper &
cylinder assemblies are mounted on a bearing rail to
help support the load of the part being pulled from
the mold. The 30mm stripper stroke has adjustment
capabilities by increasing or decreasing the cylinder
pin to fit any size application. To relieve stress on
the robot the stripper stroke is retracted to release
the part off of the mold before removing the tool and
part from the mold.
This GRZ has a custom
mounting bracket to allow for a perpendicular or
parallel mount to accommodate for a specific
application.
Multi-function
Automation Cell Video
This new video features
our automation cell and custom tooling, including:
- a six-axis robot and
automation tool change system
- programmable
end-of-arm tooling
- spherical gripper
- and multiple
degating formats.
 |
Automation
Cell
PLAY
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>SAS<
introduces New EOAT Rack
 SAS
Automation announces a unique and innovative storage
rack for End-of-Arm Tooling. The rack design was
driven by mold injectors continued requests for a
device to easily store, and inventory EOAT’s. Having
the racks in close proximity to the injection molding
machine presses provides for quick tool changes.
The rack measures two
meters high by two meters long with four heavy duty
casters for mobility, but can be designed in smaller
or larger versions to accommodate individual needs.
GHV wall mounts in three sizes (SAS 0-3 sizes) attach
easily to the J-40/40 profile. The rack is capable of
storing numerous tools depending on their size. This
rack is “low cost insurance against EOAT damage”,
said John Prater, Technical Sales Coordinator for SAS
Automation. “This is simply a more secure and safe
way to store End-of-Arm Tooling as this rack provides
both stability and mobility”, he added.
New
Guillotine Gate Trimmer
 SAS
Automation introduces a new gate trimmer for plastics
parts called: Guillotine Gate Trimmer.
This tool is designed
with a razor sharp blade positioned at a 45 degree
angle to precisely shear a sprue gate in hard to reach
narrow places.
The equipment was
designed to hold the blade on a special cylinder to
precisely actuate the gate cutting process. The
cylinder can be mounted in many angles to access hard
to reach sprue gates. This style of gate cutting
uniquely allows for a very hard to reach areas to
become accessed with this actuated guillotine motion
from the cylinder.
This results in an
easy-to-use, compact, affordable degater, designed to
greatly improve production efficiencies and product
quality.
According to Richard
Petz, General Manager for SAS Automation “This
degater will be appreciated by anyone needing
precision cutting from awkward locations. Taking up
small production floor space is another feature of
this degater.”
>SAS<
Automation introduces Tubing Cutter
 In
their continuing efforts to make assembling EOAT
components easier, SAS offers a new compact tubing
cutter for vacuum and compressed air polyurethane
tubing. This tubing cutter can be used for 4mm to 8mm
tubing with ease using the six cutting edges for a
clean cut. The SAS tubing cutter can effectively be
used with a one hand operation.
To enhance the cutting
of pneumatic tubing even more effectively, the tool
comes with a self contained 1 meter tape measure. The
tool can also be locked for safe protection from the
blades. This tool is economically priced and will pay
for itself after your first project.
>SAS<
Automation introduces its latest Packaging End-of-Arm
Tooling – for bag handling.
 This
custom robotic bag gripper tool, designed by the
engineering department at SAS, needed to lift heavy
bags off of a roller conveyor – therefore the tool
needed to be carefully designed to avoid interference
with the rollers. The tool is made of heavy duty
stainless steel fingers capable of handling bag
weights of 25 lbs to 60 lbs.
The tool uniquely
requires one pivot point with one cylinder to rotate
the fingers to grab the bags, reaching in between the
rollers to secure the bag underneath providing optimal
support. This >SAS< specially design tool solves
the difficulty in securing bags that significantly
deform due to heavy contents, such as salt, food
products, or even dry concrete mixtures.
According to Richard
Petz, General Manager for SAS Automation, “This new
durable bag gripper incorporated a design without
typical stress points on both the tool and the bag.
Fewer stress points mean fewer future failure points
making this a tool designed for a long production life
and longer bag life to assure proper delivery of
contained product to customers. This results in a
reliable material handling system that assures end
user satisfaction.”
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PLAY
VIDEO
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The robot picks up the
bag, rotates the EOAT gripper to the right position to
place the bag on a pallet, and repeats this function
until the first row on the pallet is loaded. This
action is repeated, placing bags on top of each other
to the required levels. Added Petz, “This tool was
easily integrated with the robot and performs
flawlessly. Designing custom tools that are long
lasting and able to handle heavy and bulky parts in a
repeatable fashion is a SAS specialty.” |
>SAS<
Automation announces a new Push, Pull & Cut type
Cutter.
 When
precision plastic cutting is required, SAS has the
pneumatic tools to do the job. The SAS ‘SN’ line
of Push / Pull and Cut type cutters are compact,
measuring from 65-90 mm in length and as light as 170
grams. The cutter body comes in four sizes each with a
travel stroke that is adjustable from 0-5 mm to meet
specific needs.
With the exception of
the smallest size, the blades can also be rotated 90
degrees in either direction for maximum versatility.
Only one air circuit is required when used in
conjunction with the SAS Pneumatic Timing Unit (TU-01)
for ease of installation and operation.
As with all SAS cutting
tools, these pneumatic cutters can be easily
incorporated into the lightweight, modular design of
the SAS End-of-Arm Tooling.
Click here for more
information on the
SN Pull & Cut
Type Cutter
Click here for more
information on the
SNP Push & Cut
Type Cutter
>SAS<
Automation announces an improved version of their WSL
TR Long Angle Clamp.
 The
WSL TR is part of their get a grip! line of modular
EOAT components. This improvement allows for closer
and more secure mounting of clamps.
This new WSL TR is
available in 0, 14, 20 & 30mm sizes. This new
design allows for top mounting of gripper arms or
holders to frame profile which are adjustable parallel
and perpendicular to the frame. The screw head points
out from the profile so clamps can be mounted close
together allowing for closer mounting location of the
clamps.
According to
>SAS< general manager Richard Petz, “The
reversible profile locator allows for a more diverse
tool location placement without compromising the
thickness/strength of the head clamp. Integrators and
processors will appreciate the versatility of this new
WSL design.”
Click here for more
information.
GRZ
20-16 Improved!
 >SAS<
Automation enhances their get a grip! Parts/Sprue
Plier product line with an improved GRZ 20-16 with
removable screws.
This new GRZ 20-16 with
removable screws offers production plants the ability
to interchange the existing jaws for various size
jaws. The challenge to customize the application of a
parts/sprue plier led to the development of the GRZ
20-16 with removable screws.
This improved GRZ 20-16
provides the ability to easily interchange and
configure the jaw sizes to adapt to all of your
gripping requirements. Processors will appreciate the
unique ability to customize their EOAT with this new
tool.
"The availability
of modular components for processors to build their
own tooling has enjoyed real breakthroughs,"
general manager for SAS Automation, Richard Petz said.
"This means substantial savings for those to
customize their own tooling instead of having it built
specially for them, at a higher cost. Only SAS
Automation specializes in tooling for any robot and
any part. Now, we take that a step further by
providing components for processors to add custom
benefits on the shop floor."
Click here for more
information.
NEW
>SAS< Automation, introduces Lift Degater
 >SAS<
Automation announces a new Lift Degater as part of
their continuing efforts to provide injection molders
with additional downstream automation.
This new Lift Degater
was designed for large plastics parts. A robot
transports the part to the SAS Lift Degater and sets
the part into the “part conforming nests”, located
at the top of the degater. The part is then trimmed by
several precisely positioning cutting tools that match
to the nests. Precision and speed are coupled with
several simultaneous cutting actions.
The waste trim is
dropped directly into a container and the finished
molded part is lowered on the lift table to be removed
by a packer. The packer is protected from the lift by
a safety light curtain.
SAS produces custom
degaters using lift tables, rotary tables and
stationary cutting presses depending on the specific
application. Most systems, similar to the lift table
described above, are operated pneumatically.
Secondary automation
equipment is important to any robotic cell. As a
specialist in robotic end-of-arm tooling, SAS has the
automation expertise to take the part from the mold,
and continue its movement until its final destination.
SAS is experienced in both automatic insert-molding
applications, runner separation and automatic
post-mold degating equipment for a wide variety of
part shapes and weights.
Click here for more
information on SAS
lift degaters.
NEW
GRF
Long Life
 >SAS<
Automation is proud to expand options for End-of-Arm
Tooling construction by re-engineering its GRF size 20
product line – to make it last even longer. This
popular GRF has the capability to cycle significantly
more than its original high quality gripper line. The
GRF is a pneumatically controlled spring return
gripper which is used to secure the more difficult
parts with more force by the secure attachment created
by the positioning of the gripper finger.
The SAS GRF size 20 (mm
diameter) gripper components are available with three
different angles of rotation: 35, 90 and 95 degrees
depending on the grip required. This GRF gripper line
can also be enhanced by the addition of (1) a ZTS
finger guide for protection of both the part and
finger, (2) a VLR for a longer reach and (3) an
activation sensor. It is fully compatible with the SAS
modular EOAT systems and sells for the same value
price as the original line.
Click here for more
information.
>SAS<
introduces
NEW
Advanced
& Curved Needle Grippers
 >SAS<
Automation introduced advanced and curved needle
grippers to their GRN Needle Gripper line,
specifically for insert mold applications, including
cloth or vinyl. These new GRN additions feature a more
compact design that is lighter weight and one version
has curved needles that rotate to securely grip
material, offering a more reliable insert solution.
Needle grippers are
commonly used for inserting cloth materials into
injection molding applications that require superior
material adhesion to plastics parts like automotive
interior parts. These robotic needle grippers commonly
secure the material at a fixture station and then
automatically insert the material into the mold. They
are mounted on an EOAT gripper that also removes the
molded part from the molding machine.
The GRN with the
one-of-a-kind rotation (rather than linear) of curved
needles secures the insert better, especially on thin
cloth material. This offers deeper penetration into
the material without exposing the needles on the other
side. This allows the gripper to approach the mold
closer for placement of the material.
Significant features of
the new GRN additions:
- Integrated cylinders
allow for a more compact design
- Two pressure air
ports (versus four)
- Offset locator –
ensures better insert placement &
repeatability
- Two versions –
have standard size gripper arms which fits SAS’s
clamping system
- One version is
spring loaded; allowing for compliance to the mold
when inserting.
Click here for
more
information.
>SAS<
introduces
NEW
GRN
– Titanium Needle Grippers
 >SAS<
Automation improved the function of its versatile GRN
Needle Grippers with a more durable titanium needle.
These titanium needles are stronger than steel needles
and thus will help reduce downtime. Processors will
appreciate the longer production life resulting from
the needles staying sharper longer and therefore lower
replacements costs. The needles are adjustable on all
sizes manufactured by >SAS<.
These SAS GRN Needle
Grippers come in both 14 and 20 mm mounting shaft
sizes and are compatible with the entire line of >SAS<
modular EOAT components. Needle grippers can be used
in a variety of applications including gripping fabric
or mesh, insert molding for carpet floor mat inserts
or fabric auto door panel inserts and other
lightweight porous type matting materials.
The needles extend from
3-5 mm from the gripper body and are pneumatically
activated. >SAS< provides an optional sensor for
more control. The titanium needles are now standard in
the entire line of >SAS< needle grippers.
According to Richard
Petz, general manager for SAS “Adding titanium
allows processors to get more out of their tools.”
These grippers last longer and can do more than steel
grippers. He added “Automotive processors handling
difficult cloth and materials especially will
appreciate the longevity and versatility of our
improved GRN.”
For more information on
the GRN - Titanium Needle Grippers, click
here.
NEW
  Technology
Notebook
Custom
vs. modular EOAT for injection molding
By John
Westbeld, engineering manager for SAS Automation.
Reprinted with permission from Canon Communications
LLC.
About
our Basketball Gripper
 At
NPE see our TFG Tri-Finger gripping mechanism for
picking larger medium to lightweight, spherical
products. The three fingers are pneumatically actuated
simultaneously around an object with equal pressure to
provide for a sure grip. The unique finger linkage
requires just one air circuit for the single action
piston.
This EOAT gripper is
constructed using lightweight aluminum and can be
mounted on most robots. The TFG is constructed under
the typical high quality standards of all the
>SAS<
get a grip! components.
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NEW
Programmable EOAT
SAS Automation, LLC
announces their new programmable EOAT to assist
molders and manufacturers in cost reduction and
efficiency. This innovative mechanism can be easily
programmed to automatically relocate four separate
component holders within the cycle of the robot, all
within the same EOAT.
 Each
of the four tool holders can be used for vacuum cups
or grippers mounted on individual linear actuators
which can be programmed for up to 28 separate
locations (outputs from binary inputs). Thus, this
programmable EOAT can save time and money by
eliminating the hassle of dealing with multiple
end-of-arm tools and tool changers. Its design allows
for easy and fast interfacing with any style robot.
With this programmable
EOAT, a robot can pick and place or pull from an
injection mold different sized items with just one
EOAT. If four separate parts are picked up at one
time, the program will also allow for re-positioning
of these parts before releasing them. This SAS EOAT
can be easily fitted with all of the standard SAS
components thus eliminating the cost of custom
components.
See video:
 |
Programmable
EOAT
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ANNOUNCEMENTS:
To
see our new website that features
Information on How To Build Your Own
EOAT, click here: www.eoat.com
 We
have designed this new e-commerce site
with the purpose of finding and quickly
shipping EOAT (end-of-arm tooling),
gripper systems and end effector
components. If for any reason you cannot
locate the component you need, Click
here.
| There
are several ways to search for the
part you need: |
Or,
click here to
register
with us to receive quarterly
e-newsletter on >SAS< products &
services.
SAS is
the only end-of-arm tooling company to
proudly serve all makes of robots,
handling any part, anywhere – for
plastics, packaging and general
manufacturing industries. We hope you
enjoy our new site.
Regards,
Trent Fisher
President |
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