Sprue Picker Robots
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
Sprue picker robots are specialized robotic devices designed to remove sprue, which is the excess material formed in the mold during the injection molding process. These robots are typically used in manufacturing environments to ensure that the sprue is efficiently and accurately removed from the mold, allowing for the smooth continuation of the production process.
Working Principle
Sprue picker robots operate using a pneumatic drive system, which is common for smaller robots with fewer axes of movement. The robot's operation involves three main components of the adjustable stroke: descent, kick, and swing. These movements allow the robot to precisely approach the mold, remove the sprue, and then move it away from the production area. The use of pneumatic drives makes these robots less expensive compared to those using hydraulic or electric systems. Their design is focused on efficiency and speed, making them a valuable tool in reducing cycle times and improving overall production efficiency.
Applications
Sprue picker robots are primarily used in the plastic manufacturing industry, specifically in injection molding processes. They are employed to remove sprue from molds, which is a critical step in ensuring the quality and consistency of the molded products. By automating this process, manufacturers can achieve higher throughput and reduce the risk of defects caused by manual handling.
Advantages over other Robots
Sprue picker robots offer several advantages over other types of robots, particularly in their cost-effectiveness and simplicity. They are typically less expensive than hydraulic or electric robots due to their pneumatic drive systems. Additionally, their design is optimized for the specific task of sprue removal, making them more efficient for this application compared to more general-purpose robots like SCARA or articulated robots, which may have unnecessary complexity for this task.
Limitations
One limitation of sprue picker robots is their relatively simple design, which may not be suitable for more complex tasks beyond sprue removal. They are specifically designed for a single purpose, which limits their versatility in a manufacturing environment. Additionally, their reliance on pneumatic systems may limit their precision and control compared to robots with more advanced drive systems.
Considerations
When considering the implementation of sprue picker robots, several factors should be taken into account. Initial costs are generally lower due to the use of pneumatic systems, but operating expenses may vary depending on the specific requirements of the production environment. Durability and maintenance are important considerations, as the robots must withstand the demands of continuous operation in a manufacturing setting. Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure accuracy and reliability, and replacement parts should be readily available to minimize downtime.
from ARBURG
Make a cost-effective move into automated production. Our INTEGRALPICKER V devices are flexible, space-saving and remove sprues quickly and reliably. [See More]
- Industry / Application: Sprue Picker
- Load Capacity: 1
- Robot Type: (Robot System)
from Techman Robot Inc.
The TM AI Cobot S Series by TECHMAN ROBOT is a remarkable line of AI-powered cobots that offers a range of payloads to suit various industrial automation needs. With options of 5 kg, 7 kg, 12 kg, 14 kg, and 25 kg, these cobots can handle diverse tasks with efficiency and precision. One standout... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Sprue Picker; Palletizing | Picking and placing | Assembly
- Load Capacity: 25
- Robot Type: Collaborative / Cobot
from Hiwonder
The Hiwonder xArm-ESP32 is a versatile robotic arm powered by the open-source ESP32 platform. It supports MicroPython programming and provides a Python editor, making it accessible for customization. It's also compatible with Hiwonder sensors for secondary development, expanding its capabilities. [See More]
- Industry / Application: Robotic Assembly; Sprue Picker
- Robot Type: Collaborative / Cobot
from Yushin America, Inc.
Multilingual display selection (optional).This comes standard with a GII-type controller,which is available with an optional multilingual display function oriented the international market. Equipped with ample functions in its compact body. The robust construction supports the stable take-out... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Sprue Picker
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Swing Arm Robot (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 1
from Chengdu Fuyu Technology Co., Ltd
Technical Feature]. FSL120 linear module, fully enclosed structure, body width 120mm, two guides and four sliders, with high precision, multi-segment repeat positioning, compact structure, strong versatility, suitable for use in special environments. [Range of Application]. It can be used in... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Robotic Assembly; Automotive Testing; Metal Removal (e.g., Cutting, Deburring, Drilling); Dispensing (e.g., Gluing, Sealing, Filling); Inspection Robot; Laser Processing Robot; Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Machine Tending Robot; Packaging Robot; Medical / Pharmaceutical; Painting / Coating Robot; Security / Military Robot (optional feature); Sprue Picker; Robotic Welding
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Cartesian; Collaborative / Cobot; Gantry (optional feature); Swing Arm Robot (optional feature) (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 1 to 3
from Jungheinrich AG
The Jungheinrich arculee S is a compact and maneuverable Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) designed to optimize logistics and automate underload transport. With standout features and capabilities, it offers versatile solutions for various industries and applications. The arculee S excels in underload... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Sprue Picker
- Load Capacity: 1000
- Robot Type: Service Robot
- Features: Mobile
from Techman Robot Inc.
The Techman Robot TM25S is a heavy-duty collaborative robot (cobot) belonging to the TM AI Cobot S series. With a remarkable payload capacity of 25 kg, it stands out as an ideal choice for industrial automation tasks that require lifting and moving heavy objects. Its impressive 1902 mm reach allows... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Sprue Picker; Palletizing | Assembly | Machine loading | Welding
- # of Axes: 6
- Robot Type: Collaborative / Cobot
- Load Capacity: 25
from Yushin America, Inc.
Adoption of special double-speed mechanism on traverse axis. Special double-speed mechanism with two-stage slide is adopted on the extraction arm. This adoption removes the projection of the arm. That makes the robot compact to realize saving space. High rigidity. This robot including its arm is... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Sprue Picker
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Swing Arm Robot (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 2
from Chengdu Fuyu Technology Co., Ltd
Technical Feature]. FSL120 linear module, fully enclosed structure, body width 120mm, two guides and four sliders, with high precision, multi-segment repeat positioning, compact structure, strong versatility, suitable for use in special environments. [Range of Application]. It can be used in... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Robotic Assembly; Automotive Testing; Metal Removal (e.g., Cutting, Deburring, Drilling); Dispensing (e.g., Gluing, Sealing, Filling); Inspection Robot; Laser Processing Robot; Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Machine Tending Robot; Packaging Robot; Medical / Pharmaceutical; Painting / Coating Robot; Security / Military Robot (optional feature); Sprue Picker; Robotic Welding
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Cartesian; Collaborative / Cobot; Gantry (optional feature); Swing Arm Robot (optional feature) (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 1 to 3
from Jungheinrich AG
The Jungheinrich EKS 215a is a compact and versatile Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) designed for efficient mixed operations in warehouses and production areas. Its standout features and capabilities make it an ideal choice for industrial automation. One of the key features of the EKS 215a is its... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Sprue Picker
- Load Capacity: 1500
- Robot Type: Service Robot
- Features: Mobile
from Yushin America, Inc.
A servo motor is used on the kick axis. An NC control servo motor drive makes it possible to adjust the kick stroke with the controller rather than the conventional method of manual adjustment on the robot. [See More]
- Industry / Application: Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Sprue Picker
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Swing Arm Robot (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 1
from Chengdu Fuyu Technology Co., Ltd
Technical Feature]. FSL80 linear guide, fully sealed structure, body width 80mm, it is designed for dustproof usage in hard environment, avoid dust or miscellaneous debris fall into body structure to affect working, large stretch,small compression,hard object collision without deformation, oleic... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Robotic Assembly; Automotive Testing; Metal Removal (e.g., Cutting, Deburring, Drilling); Dispensing (e.g., Gluing, Sealing, Filling); Inspection Robot; Laser Processing Robot; Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Machine Tending Robot; Packaging Robot; Medical / Pharmaceutical; Painting / Coating Robot; Security / Military Robot (optional feature); Sprue Picker; Robotic Welding
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Cartesian; Collaborative / Cobot; Gantry (optional feature); Swing Arm Robot (optional feature) (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 1 to 3
from Jungheinrich AG
The Jungheinrich ERC 215a is a reliable and versatile Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) designed to handle recurring transport tasks. Its standout features and capabilities make it an excellent choice for industrial automation. The compact design of the ERC 215a makes it ideal for boosting efficiency... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Sprue Picker
- Load Capacity: 1700
- Robot Type: Service Robot
- Features: Mobile
from Yushin America, Inc.
Side-entry type. A side entry robot is used to extract parts using the shortest possible stroke with the robot in standby mode at the side of the molding machine. Because there is no mechanisms above the mold, this method can be used in applications where dust causes problems, such as in clean... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Sprue Picker
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Swing Arm Robot (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 2
from Chengdu Fuyu Technology Co., Ltd
Technical Feature]. FSL120 linear module, fully enclosed structure, body width 120mm, two guides and four sliders, with high precision, multi-segment repeat positioning, compact structure, strong versatility, suitable for use in special environments. [Range of Application]. It can be used in... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Robotic Assembly; Automotive Testing; Metal Removal (e.g., Cutting, Deburring, Drilling); Dispensing (e.g., Gluing, Sealing, Filling); Inspection Robot; Laser Processing Robot; Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Machine Tending Robot; Packaging Robot; Medical / Pharmaceutical; Painting / Coating Robot; Security / Military Robot (optional feature); Sprue Picker; Robotic Welding
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Cartesian; Collaborative / Cobot; Gantry (optional feature); Swing Arm Robot (optional feature) (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 1 to 3
from Jungheinrich AG
The Jungheinrich EZS 350a is a versatile and robust automated tow tractor designed to enhance production environments. It excels in effectively pulling trailers weighing up to 5,000 kg as part of a tow train system. Developed from their proven standard truck, the EZS 350a is specifically optimized... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Sprue Picker
- Load Capacity: 5000
- Robot Type: Service Robot
- Features: Mobile
from Yushin America, Inc.
Stabilizes the quality of delicate products. These days, much higher quality is required for delicate products such as connectors. Extraction of molded products after molding process determines the quality of such products. The SXA-10II interlocks with super small molding machines with which product... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Sprue Picker
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Swing Arm Robot (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 2
from Chengdu Fuyu Technology Co., Ltd
Technical Feature]. FSL40 linear guide is semi-sealer structure, body width 40mm, high stability, compact structure, versatility feature, suitable for normal working environment, it is convenient to use single axis or multi-axis to assemble easy functional usage robotic arms for kinds of... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Robotic Assembly; Automotive Testing; Metal Removal (e.g., Cutting, Deburring, Drilling); Dispensing (e.g., Gluing, Sealing, Filling); Inspection Robot; Laser Processing Robot; Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Machine Tending Robot; Packaging Robot; Medical / Pharmaceutical; Painting / Coating Robot; Security / Military Robot (optional feature); Sprue Picker; Robotic Welding
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Cartesian; Collaborative / Cobot; Gantry (optional feature); Swing Arm Robot (optional feature) (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 1 to 3
from Yushin America, Inc.
Side entry type for clean molding environment. This robot contributes to extraction of molded products which requires clean molding environment such as optical parts, medical equipment and food containers,etc. Further more this side-entry robot is good for low-ceiling factories such as clean room,... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Sprue Picker
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Swing Arm Robot (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 3 to 5
from Chengdu Fuyu Technology Co., Ltd
Technical Feature]. FSL40 linear guide is semi-sealer structure, body width 40mm, high stability, compact structure, versatility feature, suitable for normal working environment, it is convenient to use single axis or multi-axis to assemble easy functional usage robotic arms for kinds of... [See More]
- Industry / Application: Robotic Assembly; Automotive Testing; Metal Removal (e.g., Cutting, Deburring, Drilling); Dispensing (e.g., Gluing, Sealing, Filling); Inspection Robot; Laser Processing Robot; Material Handling (e.g., Loading/Unloading, Palletizing); Machine Tending Robot; Packaging Robot; Medical / Pharmaceutical; Painting / Coating Robot; Security / Military Robot (optional feature); Sprue Picker; Robotic Welding
- Drive System: Electric
- Robot Type: Cartesian; Collaborative / Cobot; Gantry (optional feature); Swing Arm Robot (optional feature) (Robot System)
- # of Axes: 1 to 3