Whoa, That Was Neat
NPE2018 is brimming with exciting new developments. So we asked—What's the coolest thing you've seen on the show floor?

Injection Molding at NPE2018: A Showplace for the ‘Smart Factory’
In Orlando, you’ll glimpse the future, and it’s automated and interconnected. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways for plants of all sizes to get in on these trends.

Fanuc Adds Fast, Compact SCARA Robots
Fanuc's new SCARA robots offer speed, precision, and a compact footprint.

K 2016: Connectivity & Collaboration in Robotics & Automation
Besides a handful of new robots and pickers, the big themes were modular ‘plug-and-play’ automation, Industry 4.0 connectivity, easier programming, and safer collaboration with human workers.

Making Standard Robots More “Collaborative”
Laser scanners can slow or stop a robot temporarily when a human approaches.

Now That’s “Collaborative”!
Pick-and-place product handling … simple assembly tasks … sure, or why not serving a cold beer?

ROBOTS TO ‘COBOTS’: Next-Gen Automation in Plastics Processing
So-called ‘collaborative robots’ are a new category of ‘human-friendly’ automation that can work safely side by side with people, unprotected by guarding.

Molder Builds a Business From Next to Nothing
Under new ownership, Cumberland Plastics Solutions’ decision to invest when times were tough has paid big dividends.

Highlights of Fakuma 2015
A selection of the hottest news and molding trends at this “little brother” to the K Show.

Funny Looking Robots
Super-high-speed pick-and-place units made their debut at a plastics show.

Technology, Creativity, and Fun: The Noble Plastics Recipe
Most people find jobs within companies thatahave an established corporate mission and business culture.

NPE News in Injection Molding
If a better machine can help your company beat challenging economic conditions, you’ll probably find it at NPE. And finding it will be easier, thanks to our editors’ efforts to sift out of some 2000 exhibits the most significant news in injection and blow molding, extrusion, compounding, and thermoforming.

Mini Six-Axis Robot Mounts 'Anywhere'
A new six-axis "mini" robot designed for parts handling, machine tending, and assembly is new from Fanuc Robotics America Inc., Rochester Hills, Mich.

NPE 2006 News Wrap-Up: Brains and Brawn - New Robots Are Handier Than Ever
Injection molding robots introduced at NPE pushed the work envelope for speed, reach, payload capacity, ease of programming, and ability to handle more sophisticated tasks.

Robots for Cutting, Trimming and Assembly
The recent NPE show in Chicago saw the debut of several new 5- and 6-axis articulated-arm robots and programming software for secondary operations.

Spray-Coating Robot With Enhanced Motion
A new articulating-arm spray-coating robot was demonstrated at NPE last month by Fanuc Robotics America, Inc., Rochester Hills, Mich.

Six-Axis Robots: Where They Fit in Injection Molding
Injection molded parts are typically demolded with simple pick-and-place automation—a top-mounted, gantry-style (also called Cartesian, linear, or traversing) three-axis robot.

Automotive Innovation Trend-Setting Technologies Garner SPE Awards
Paintless in-mold film decorating and carbon-fiber composites are making inroads in appearance and structural parts. Blow molding is finding new interior applications. And long-fiber thermoplastics are cutting weight and cost on the inside and outside of new passenger vehicles.