Fanuc Roboshot Alpha-S100iA

The Fanuc Roboshot Alpha-S100iA is an all-electric injection molding machine with a listed clamping force of 1,000 kN (100 metric tons). It is not a metal-cutting machine: it closes a mold, injects material and opens again, and the drive is listed as all-electric servo.

The mold space is the first thing to check. The platen is listed at 560 x 560 mm (22 x 22 in), the tie bars are spaced 410 x 410 mm (16.1 x 16.1 in) and the maximum mold thickness is 410 mm (16.1 in). A mold has to pass between the tie bars to be hung, so the 410 mm spacing, not the platen size, sets the widest tool the machine accepts.

Four screw diameters are listed: 22 / 26 / 32 / 36 mm. A smaller screw generally gives finer shot control for small parts and a larger one more shot volume. The listed figures give neither shot volume nor injection pressure, so the choice should be made from the injection unit data for the machine in question.

The listed dry cycle time is 1.5 seconds, and energy savings are stated as up to 70% against hydraulic machines. The control is listed as a Fanuc 31i-B with the Roboshot HMI. The machine weighs 4,500 kg (9,921 lb) and runs on a 200/220 V, 3-phase supply, which matters at sites wired for a different voltage.