Targeting molders interested in upgrading their equipment so they can quote more jobs, automation and auxiliary supplier the Wittmann Group has upgraded its robot line with the new W821, which increased the total payload to 12 kg from 10 kg for models with vertical strokes of 1000 mm. W821 models with longer vertical strokes will continue to carry a 10 kg payload. In addition, the vertical stroke has been increased to up to 1400 mm.

Wittmann W821 robot

The Z-axis of the new W821 is available in various lengths with standard strokes of 2000 and 2500 mm, and with extensions of 500 mm up to 4000 mm. The upgraded W821 can be also equipped with different rotational servo axes.

The standard control for the robot remains Wittmann's R8.2 unit, which offers numerous real-time features that the company says are being enhanced and updated on an ongoing basis.

Although its ultimately application specific, Wittmann is recommending the use of the W821 robot on molding machines of up to 400 tonnes of clamping force. The company noted that because of their current market situation, many European and American molders are tending to higher payload applications even on smaller tonnage machines, with that scenario less prevalent in Asian countries, where Wittmann said applications still tend to be pick and place. For these markets, the W821's increased payload and stroke can be used either for mounting on slightly larger sized molding machines with a maximum reach of 780 mm.

The W821 is the smallest Wittmann robot model with moveable kick stroke design. As part of the redesign over its immediate predecessor, the W721, the W821 also comes with a smaller footprint thanks to an integrated control cabinet.