Sepro
After almost 25 years with Sepro Robotique Ltd., Paul Goodhew is stepping down as head of the French robot manufacturer’s UK subsidiary.
A well-known and respected figure in plastics equipment sales since 1979, Paul Goodhew will retire at the end of this year. Goodhew has directed UK robot sales for Sepro Robotique Ltd. since the company was founded in 1990. After Interplas he will begin to hand over the reins to Glen Eves, who joined the company as Sales Manager in December 2013.
“In the early days,” Goodhew recalls, “we had a hard time convincing British moulders that they needed to automate. Management believed that no robot could replace their highly skilled operators and the operators themselves resisted because they feared losing their jobs. Gradually, however, we were able to show them that letting the machine control the operator was far better that having the operator control the machine. Quality and consistency are better, and you keep the product away from possible contamination.”
At Interplas 2014, Sepro UK is presenting examples of its five-axis-servo Cartesian robots and new 6-axis articulated arm robots operating together in an automation cell.
These units represent a complete portfolio of automation solutions, says the company, that includes not only the 5- and 6-axis robots, which are being exhibited for the first time in the UK, but also a range of 3-axis units for both pick-and-place general-purpose robots and servo-driven sprue pickers. Sepro robots are available to automate plastics injection-moulding machines ranging in size from 30 to 5000 tonnes.
“Over the last several years,” explained Jean-Michel Renaudeau, CEO of Sepro, “we have invested heavily in new robot technology. We’ve developed strong partnerships with other industry specialists and with injection-moulding machine manufacturers who now can offer Sepro robots as a part of a complete plastics process solution. Today, when we speak of ‘Your Free Choice in Robots,’ we are showing visitors to Interplas that no matter what their application, no matter where they are located, whether they are installing new molding machines or automating existing equipment, Sepro has options that can meet their needs.”
The demonstration on Stand C30 features a 5X-25 robot with 5 servo-actuated axes of motion, and a 6X-90L, a 6-axis articulated-arm robot, working in tandem in an entertaining automation ballet. Developed by Sepro Robotique in partnership with Stäubli Robotics, these two robot families are aimed at injection-moulding applications requiring complex part manipulation.
“Sepro has always made an excellent robot and, in recent years, we have revamped almost the entire product portfolio, introducing new designs for all except the largest machines. We’ve introduced new 5-axis and 6-axis robots and specialty units for two-material moulding, dual-arm robots for use with 3-plate moulds and in-mould labeling solutions. These are very exciting times,” commented Goodhew.