North American processors no longer need look to Europe to find In Mold Labeling (IML) automated workcell solutions. Automated Assemblies Corporation has launched U.S. engineered and manufactured IML workcells designed to meet the unique needs of the American processor to integrate the molding and labeling function into nearly one seamless manufacturing step. Now, thanks to IML technologies, processors can mold and decorate with perfectly aligned decals, decorations or printed elements, thereby eliminating a time consuming secondary operation while imparting 6 Sigma quality standards to the finished product.

Long a molding capability of European packaging molders, the United States is gearing up to meet demands for more sophisticated packaging and molded product decoration.

IML/IMD (decorating) workcells can mold, decorate and perform other secondary operations on molded goods all at one workcell, offering capabilities to label flat panel and wraparound graphics on products ranging from prepackaged food items and beverages, to durable goods, toys, medical products and instrument shrouds, to name but a few applications.

As each of these injection molding applications is unique, each Automated Assemblies IML workcell is engineered to meet the specific demands of a molding program, with the benefit of flexible integration built into every workcell.

Automated Assemblies IML workcells are inherently custom configured, but share some similar parameters. Depending on the application, each workcell comes complete with a side-entry or top-entry robot, or a 6-axis articulated robot. Servo drives on the main transport axis benefit the molder with the best possible positioning accuracy of labels. All labeling and secondary functions are designed for completion within the injection molding machines release and fill cycles, so machine and production times are utilized to make the entire molding operation as efficient as possible.

Specialized End of Arm Tooling (EOAT) is supplied to meet the needs of today's IML jobs and to be flexible enough for alterations for future work. Vacuum lines to hold labels are used throughout, with servo driven label magazines available for exact labeling repeatability, configured for fast changeovers for minimized downtime. Additionally, electrostatic capabilities can be integrated into the workcell to allow molders to affix labels in the mold, should a project call for this approach to be used. Lastly, to ensure 6 Sigma manufacturing standards, molders can rely on real time vision quality inspection systems that constantly monitor label handling and placement, plus the finished molding and graphics quality of a finished part.

Automated Assemblies Corporation is one of the plastics injection molding industry's leading designers and manufacturers of robotic and workcell solutions with products sold under the trademarked name Raptor®. Automated Assemblies has served the plastics industry since 1971 and is located in New England, where the plastics industry was born. The firm also offers comprehensive plant automation audit services to help firms determine ways to improve productivity and profits along with an eye toward a quick return on this investment. Sales and service are available in the Americas, Asia, and Europe.