INDUSTRIAL ROBOT APPLICATIONS

Router Robots: Trimming and Routing Plastic, Composite and Fiberglass Parts

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Router Robots: Trimming and Routing Plastic, Composite and Fiberglass Parts

A router robot is a six axis arm carrying a router spindle that trims flash, cuts openings and finishes edges on formed plastic, composite and fiberglass parts. Large parts call for heavy arms with long reach, so the router can get around the whole part from one base position. Plan for dust and chips from the start.

What Robotic Routing Covers

Thermoformed, molded and laid up parts come out of the mold with extra material around the edge and no holes where the holes go. Somebody has to trim that flash, cut the openings and clean up the edges. Done by hand, it is slow, dusty and hard to repeat. A robot follows the same path on every part.

The work falls into three groups:

  • Trimming. Cutting the flash off the perimeter of the part along the trim line.
  • Cutting openings. Holes, slots and cutouts for fittings, vents and hardware.
  • Edge finishing. Cleaning up the cut edge so it is ready for the next step.

Our post on robotic fiberglass cutting goes deeper on composite parts, and our cutting robots guide compares routing with waterjet and laser. If you want the wider view of cutting, grinding and sanding with a robot, read our post on robotic material removal.

Why Router Cells Use Big Arms

A router does not weigh much compared with a spot gun, so the heavy arms in router cells are not there for payload alone. They are there for reach and stiffness. A tub, panel or housing can be bigger than a small robot's whole work envelope, and the router has to get to every edge at the right angle. A long reach arm on one base can cover the whole part without being moved.

Bigger arms also flex less under the side load of a router bit pushing through fiberglass or plastic, which shows up as a cleaner edge. Per the data sheets, the FANUC R-2000iB/185L reaches 3,060 mm, the FANUC M-900iB/280 reaches 2,655 mm and the FANUC M-900iA/350 reaches 2,650 mm. Our FANUC R-2000 series guide and FANUC M-900 series guide cover both lines.

Our listings for the M-900iB/280, R-2000iB/185L, M-900iA/350 and the KUKA KR 100-2 HA name routing work among their applications. All four are on our floor in Imlay City, Michigan.

Very Long Parts

When the part is longer than any arm can reach, move the robot. A seventh axis track runs the robot down the length of the part, and we stock FANUC robot transfer units. An overhead gantry is the other route, like our Gudel overhead gantry.

Payload: Router, Shroud and Hose

Count everything on the wrist: the router motor, the collet and bit, the mounting bracket, the dust shroud and the vacuum hose hanging off it. If you change bits during the cycle, add the tool changer. Our posts on end of arm tooling and robotic quick change tooling cover those pieces, and our FANUC payload and reach chart helps you compare arms.

Dust and Chips

Routing fiberglass and composites throws fine dust. Plastics throw chips and strings that wrap around anything that turns. Both end up on the robot unless you plan for it.

  • Collect at the tool. A shroud around the bit with a vacuum line pulls most of the dust before it spreads.
  • Cover the arm. Protective robot covers are common in dusty cells. Check the data sheet for the protection rating of the arm you are looking at.
  • Protect the cables. Keep dust out of the connectors and route the dress pack so chips do not pack in around it. Our post on cable management covers routing.
  • Keep the controller clean. Put the cabinet outside the dust zone, and confirm the robot cable sets are long enough to reach it.

What to Check on a Used Router Robot

  • Reach. Measure from the base to the farthest trim line, plus the router length and the angle the bit needs.
  • Controller. Older and newer controllers run different software. Our FANUC robot controllers guide lays out the generations.
  • Mounting. A robot riser can give the arm a better angle down onto the part.
  • Freight. The M-900iA/350 arm alone is about 1,720 kg on its data sheet. Shipping is FOB Imlay City, Michigan, and the buyer arranges freight.

Router Robots We Carry

More arms are on our used FANUC robots and never used FANUC robots pages.

Related Guides

Shutting Down a Trim Cell?

We buy router robots, the arms around them and whole plants. Tell us what you have on our sell your used robots page, or ask about machinery appraisals. Buying a router robot? See our equipment financing page.

With a part size and a model in mind, call 586-752-0090, extension 1 for sales, or get in touch with our sales team.