Month: July 2023

A new 12.5-tonne overhead crane and a pillar mounted slewing jib crane are the latest investments at Bunting’s magnetic separator and metal detector manufacturing facility in Redditch, UK.  The new overhead crane replaces one originally installed in 1989, increasing the lift capacity and improving manufacturing productivity.

Bunting is one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of magnetic separators, eddy current separators, metal detectors and electrostatic separators.  The Bunting European manufacturing facilities are in Redditch, just outside Birmingham, and Berkhamsted, both in the United Kingdom.

Local crane specialist AG Cranes Ltd is supplying and installing both the new single girder overhead travelling crane and pillar mounted slewing jib crane.  The new overhead crane spans the 18-metre width of the main Redditch manufacturing area with a capacity lift of 12.5-tonnes.  The hook path enables lifts up to 8-metres.

The single crane bridge beam is suitably rated to accept the lifting capacity across the whole of the required span.  The hoist is electrically powered, with top running end carriages with long travel motors.  The crane features a festoon power supply system and a long travel panel with low voltage crane control pendant.

The hoisting speeds of between 1 and 4 metres per minute, matched with increased cross travel and long travel speeds, meet the improved productivity targets.

The new overhead crane provides additional lift capacity following the growth in demand for larger equipment manufactured at Redditch such as Electro Overband Magnets and Eddy Current Metal Separation Modules.

The pillar mounted slewing jib crane (under-braced, beam design) has a 1-tonne lift capacity.  The 4-metre-high crane features an electric chain hoist.  The jib crane reduces the demand for larger overhead cranes when lifting lighter and smaller loads, and assists in improving manufacturing productivity.

“We [Bunting] continue to invest in our UK-based manufacturing operations,” explained Alison Flower, Bunting’s Redditch General Manager.  “The new cranes improve our manufacturing productivity, enabling us to meet the increasing demand for our equipment, especially for larger magnetic separators.”

For further information, please contact us on press@buntingmagnetics.com or visit our website:

Bunting-Redditch – www.bunting-redditch.com

Stand D60, Interplas 2023, 26-28 September, NEC, Birmingham

Showcasing its end-to-end sustainability credentials from raw material handling to final packaging, FANUC UK will feature a live on-stand automated manufacturing cell at Interplas 2023 (stand D60, 26-28 September 2023, NEC, Birmingham). Comprising a FANUC all-electric ROBOSHOT injection moulding machine, a FANUC LR-10iA 6-axis robot arm and ancillary equipment provided by FANUC’s on-stand partner Hi-Tech Automation, the fully automated system will also display live data showing the amount of energy being used, as well as the cost to run the cell, to highlight the efficiency gains offered by the ROBOSHOT.

Protecting planet and profit

Sustainability is front of mind for injection moulding firms. Addressing this concern, FANUC aims to show Interplas visitors the ability of its ROBOSHOT machine to handle a wide range of materials, including bioplastic, as well as highlight the energy and cost savings compared with hydraulic alternatives.

“As the FANUC ROBOSHOT is all electric, it uses 50-70% less energy than hydraulic machines, and 10-15% less energy than other all-electric machines,” says Martin Grimshaw, ROBOSHOT Sales Manager for FANUC UK. “In fact, it has been proven to be one of the lowest energy consumptions worldwide and one of the lowest total costs of ownership on the market.”

With 60% of manufacturers reporting that out of control energy bills are now threatening their business1, being sustainable is no longer just a ‘nice to have’ but a business imperative. The demonstration cell at Interplas will be linked to a clamp meter which will measure in real time the amount of power the unit is drawing from the grid and display it live for visitors to see, as well as the value of that power in pounds and pence.

The ROBOSHOT also measures this data as standard and visitors will be invited to compare the two screens, to gauge the accuracy of the ROBOSHOT’s built-in energy meter. “We are looking forward to proving to Interplas visitors just how much energy can be saved with the ROBOSHOT, and the resulting financial benefits that it can offer,” explains Martin.

 Full production lifecycle

The standard automation cell being showcased at Interplas features the FANUC ROBOSHOT S150iB at its heart. As well as low energy consumption, this CNC injection moulding machine offers repeatably high levels of consistency and accuracy, superior mould protection and rapid acceleration.

With system integration being a key talking point for the plastics industry, the ROBOSHOT will be tended at Interplas by a Standard Automation Cell from Hi-Tech, FANUC’s system integrator partner for the injection moulding sector. The system features the FANUC LR-10iA robot positioned on a linear rail to create a 7^th axis, giving it full range of movement across and above the entire length of the cell.

“We are excited to show visitors what the ROBOSHOT can do and, just as importantly, demonstrate how the energy efficiency benefits extend across the entire manufacturing cell; from raw material handling to final packaging,” adds Martin.