IML Solutions is now one of the most popular solutions of pcakaging production with its high efficiency, premium looking of the IML containers, declining system purchasing cost and easier production process. With IML you can not only save the storing cost of the containers before pringing but also reduce the risky of potential biotic polluting in the secondary production process such as off printing in production of IML containers of food packaging say IML Yogurt cups which has a high hygienic standard. Here in this article we're discussing what's the functional unit of an IML robot and how to choose a proper IML robot structural design for your IML project.

The picture above is the structure design of SWITEK new generation IML robot SW833-S6 designed for the high speed production of small and medium size IML containers and one of the best IML robot made in China for the bulk production of IML Yogurt cups. From the picture above we can find that for an IML system there would be some functional struction which will include:

• A: The frame of the IML robot. A strong framework design will lay a solid fundation of the IML robot for the fast production of the IML containers stably and precisely.
• B: The magazine, which is where the label storing and feeding during the IML containers production.
• C: The robotic arm, which will carry the EOAT of the IML system for label picking, in mold inserting and the finished parts picking.
• D: The stacking unit, whill will pick the finished parts from the robotic arm and have them well stacked on the conveyor as programmed.
• E: The parts picking EOAT, which will pick the finished parts from the mold and pass it to the stacking unit of the IML system.
• F: The mandrel, where the label to be wrapped and inserted into the mold.

The control system of the IML robot will have all these functional units working together to finish the IML production process of an IML container.

When we tell you that we're custom make a robotic arm for this project, it means that there're some special requirements which could not be done by a standard robot. For example, if you want to drop the parts to the end of the injection molding machine instead of the operator side or non-operator side of the injection molding machine, a longitude robotic arm would be the one for your project; If you'll have the robotic arm to pick the parts from one injection molding machine and insert it into the neighbouring injection molding machine, a T structure robotic arm will be the one for your project. And for some thin-wall containers production project a side entry robot would be designed for the ultra low in mold picking time to maximize the productivity of the injection molding system.

Like any other automation system, a single function system would be the most efficient one. For an IML system Single Function means that the IML system is designed for the production of only one products and without any considuration of mold changing. The IML system of 2+2 IML buckets side entry IML system with handle assembly and 12+12 IML robot of lids with spoon assembly are typical Single Function IML robot which are custom made according to a specific mold and with no possibility of quick magazine change for another products.

But for most of the producers of IML containers, Fast Changing of the magazines and EOAT sets for another mold would be the basic function of the IML design. For example the SWITEK side entry IML robot SW833-S6 is designed under the mechanism of fast magazine and EOAT sets changed for multiple products by one IML system, it's very important for the small and medium producers of IML containers producers and for the trial production of a new design IML containers.

In summary, a Single Function IML robot is suitable for the production of IML containers with extra process such as handle or spoon assembly or a non-stop production of a basic container for example IML Yogurt cups in bulk quantity with the vision control and packing unit integrated. Or a universal designed IML robot with fast change of the magazine and EOAT sets for different products. As for the top entry IML system it's a price smart solutions of IML for the production of large size containers or lids. SWITEK R&D team will design the IML system according to your products and target throughput of the IML system.