Robot Factory Offers Desktop Injection Molding Solutions
Italian company Robot Factory has developed bench-top injection molding systems, bridging the gap between 3D printing and mass production of small, high-resolution parts.
Robot Factory, founded in 2006, has expanded its offerings beyond its initial robotics and CNC machines to include 3D printers and desktop injection molding equipment. The company's move into injection molding was driven by customer demand for producing small, high-resolution parts with rapid turnaround times, a capability that 3D printing struggles to match for larger volumes.
According to Andrea Martini, founder of Robot Factory, injection molding offers a more efficient solution for mass production of identical parts with excellent surface quality and precision once a mold is created. This is particularly advantageous for small components where consistency and speed are critical. The company aims to make this industrial process more accessible, integrating it with the world of digital manufacturing.
Robot Factory's initial foray into desktop injection molding involved a pneumatic system powered by compressed air. This unit could handle injection volumes up to 32 cm³ and utilized a 63 mm diameter cylinder for injection force. The system was designed to be compact and user-friendly, requiring only a small air compressor and suitable for laboratory or small workspace environments.
Evolving from the pneumatic system, Robot Factory has introduced new oleodynamic (hydraulic) injection molding systems. These updated models are available in both manual and automated versions. They feature a hydraulic pump capable of generating up to 1,900 kg of extrusion force and a clamping force of up to 4 tons, with a 100 cm³ injection chamber. These advancements allow for the production of larger objects with enhanced process control, further democratizing industrial manufacturing technologies.
Robot Factory's development of bench-top injection molding systems, particularly their oleodynamic units, represents a significant step in bridging the gap between prototyping and mass production. By offering industrial-grade injection molding capabilities in a compact, accessible format, they empower micro-manufacturers and design studios to produce high-volume, high-precision small parts efficiently, complementing the role of 3D printing in the digital manufacturing ecosystem.
Edited by the news editor with AI from the original report — please refer to the original source.