The process of using technology and machines to replace or improve manual tasks with the aim of increasing efficiency, reducing costs and improving quality.

Calibration or teach-in refers to the process of calibrating and programming robots and machines to perform precise movements and actions. During teach-in, an operator manually guides the robot through the desired movements, which are then stored in the system. These movements can later be repeated automatically, increasing the accuracy and efficiency of production. Calibration/teach-in is a critical step in setting up automation systems to ensure they work correctly and efficiently.

A certificate that shows that a product complies with the safety, health and environmental protection requirements of the European Union.

Robots designed to interact directly with humans in a shared work environment to increase the flexibility and efficiency of production processes.

The time required to move a workpiece through a production step. Optimizing the cycle time is crucial for the efficiency and capacity of a production line.

Robot design, also known as parallel kinematics, which is known for its speed and dynamics. It is particularly suitable for pick-and-place applications.

Euromap 67 and Euromap 73 are standards used in the plastics industry for communication between injection molding machines and automation equipment such as robots.

A standard that ensures that products comply with the regulations of the US Food and Drug Administration, particularly in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

A mobile, space-saving robot cell for the fully automatic loading and unloading of machines. The cell, which can be flexibly equipped, is primarily used on injection molding machines to process workpieces in a one-piece flow.

A mechanical or vacuum tool used by robots to grip, move and place objects.
Grippers are available in various designs to meet different requirements.

The use of sensors and software to capture and analyze visual information in order to automate processes such as quality control and object recognition in production is known as industrial image processing.

A concept that describes the digitalization of industry, in which intelligent machines, systems and networks control themselves and automate processes to enable flexible, efficient and intelligent production.

A manufacturing process in which molten material is injected into a mold to produce products with high precision and in large quantities.

A process in which products are continuously checked for quality standards during production in order to minimize errors and ensure product quality.

A production approach that aims to minimize waste and maximize efficiency, often through the use of automation and process optimization.

An area of artificial intelligence that enables machines to learn from data and improve their performance over time without explicit programming.

An NIO box (not-in-order box) is a device in automated production systems that stores defective or non-conforming products. These products are collected in the NIO box to separate them from the non-defective parts. This enables efficient quality control and ensures that only defect-free products leave the production line.

A production approach in which products are fed individually and continuously through the production processes in order to improve efficiency and quality. The one-piece flow is a lean manufacturing production method.

A maintenance concept that uses continuous monitoring and analysis of system data to predict potential problems before they lead to failures. It is also referred to as demand-oriented maintenance.

The different stages of the packaging process:

A Q-shot (quality shot) refers to a targeted test run or production batch in injection molding that is used specifically to check and ensure quality. During the Q-shot, products are closely examined to ensure that they meet the specified quality standards. This method is often used in plastics production to validate processes and ensure product quality.

A device that enables tools or grippers to be changed quickly and easily in order to increase the flexibility and efficiency of production processes.

The process of implementing robots in production facilities in order to automate handling and processing operations.

A flexible framework for the development of robot software that provides standard tools and libraries to simplify the programming and integration of robots.

A type of industrial robot that is particularly suitable for assembly and pick-and-place tasks and is known for its high speed and precision. Its design is such that it has a high degree of rigidity in the joining direction.

A quality assurance approach to process improvement that aims to reduce defects and improve quality through statistical analysis and methodologies.

The process of simulating and testing automation systems in a virtual environment before they are implemented in the real world in order to minimize risks and optimize system performance. In this context, it is also often referred to as the digital twin for virtual commissioning.