In the past few years the WITTMANN Group has successfully concentrated on new developments relating to injection molding machine controls. Now, following the successful launch of the W8 pro robot series, the company is set to present the new R9 robot control at the K 2016 exhibition. The R9 is a complete revision of the R8 control and from 2017 onwards, all WITTMANN robots will come with the new R9 TeachBox.
There are no fundamental differences with regard to the handling of the two controls, but certain features have been simplified or improved, namely; accessibility, customization, and axial movement. The entire hardware of the R9 has also undergone a complete relaunch.
The most obvious difference is the altered shape of the TeachBox. Previously the plugged panorama screen had a resolution of 800 × 600 and a size of 8.4″. The TeachBox R9 now comes with a resolution of 1,280 × 800 and a screen diagonal of 10.1″. The new screen comes in portrait format and the look of the control now comes closer to that of the UNILOG machine control. The expanded screen of the R9 robot control is better suitable for the display of complex procedures. The combination of hardened glass and capacitive touch-technology also provides a higher mechanical stability than the former model. Above that, the new R9 solution offers the possibility of gesture operation. Beside the generously dimensioned touch-display, WITTMANN the R9 robot control is equipped with membrane keys, enabling visual and tactile feedback: For example, the start button of the R9 TeachBox is illuminated in green. Other press buttons are organized in a similar way and they are distinguished also through their shapes; status buttons are rectangular, for example, while motion buttons are round, representing one of the most important innovations in the new unit and making operational use much simpler. The R9 has an On/Off-signal (an illuminated WITTMANN logo in case of active power supply), a central enabling switch on the back side, and a USB port.
Because of the specially designed back frame component, the TeachBox is naturally angled towards the operator, a feature designed for convenience, especially when complex systems are to be programmed. This angle of inclination – for example, when the control lies on a table – is about 5°, resulting in better readability and a more comfortable input.
Users operating large automation cells can opt for a second TeachBox. For example, when the robot is mounted lengthwise and executing the part drop behind the clamping unit of the machine, then one of the two controls can be placed by the machine control, while the other can be placed in the drop zone. In this way, the irritating journey around the machine with the TeachBox is omitted. The production data can, of course, be called up from both devices.
“What really makes the R9 so exciting for us is its tactile feedback,” says Martin Stammhammer, WITTMANN Group’s International Sales Manager Robots and Automation Systems. “In contrast to touch-only programming, we have chosen a combination of touch- and key-functionality. So, by means of the so-called concept of Touch & Feel, we offer an input procedure that again is more comfortable and can be done more intuitively. The R9 has better ergonomics, a larger display and reduced weight. The total weight of the TeachBox now is 10% less than before.”
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