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U.S. injection molders are fast adopting servo-driven robots in their operations and are relegating older pneumatic robots to niche applications, according to Yushin America Inc. president John Mallon.
"Many foreign molders have been aggressive in using servos to automate downstream value-added processes and cut direct labor costs;" and U.S. molders are now following suit to remain competitive, Mallon said.
At least 50 percent of the Yushin traverse-type robots sold in the U.S. since 1996 were equipped with all-servo drives, while only 10 percent of such robots sold in 1991 had all-servo drives, noted Mallon. The Cranston, R.I.-based Yushin specializes in supplying robots to the injection molding industry.
"Servo robots are catching on with American molders because...