Sailor Automation

Fountain pen manufacturing technology used to create Robotic Division
In 1911, the Sailor Pen Company was established in Japan, introducing the fountain pen to the Japanese market. In 1949, the Sailor Pen Company began manufacturing fountain pens and their ink cartridges utilizing automatic injection molding machines. At this time the injection molding technology was unheard of in Japan. This was the starting point of the Sailor Robot. At the outset, each molding machine required an operator to remove parts from the molding machine by hand. Molding machines were operated 24 hours a day in a 3-shift system. In 1967, Sailor developed automatic extraction robots to improve the efficiency of the take-out operation. Two years later the first extraction robot – RX-0 - was completed.

After three years of development and testing, we introduced our first robot model at the Japan Plastic Trade Fair. The RX unit demonstrated a fully automated system for parts extraction and attracted much attention throughout the molding industry. To meet the high demand, the Sailor Robotic Division was created. The purpose of this division was to develop a high quality engineering technology to meet injection molding demands.

We presently have over 30 years of experience and offer state-of-the-art technology, the highest level of reliability and longest product life. Based on data collected from our customers, we know our robots have a life span of at least 10 years.

In addition, we keep design data on each machine; with a promise to our customers that any problems will be dealt with quickly and efficiently after purchase.

With our machinery design, technology, and the additional capability of chemical and metalwork technology accumulated from writing tools manufacturing, “Sailor Equals Technology.” Sailor has used its technology to improve the quality and product ability in many fields, including medical tools, food containers, and multi media of CDs, MDs, and DVDs.

Sailor History

1967

Launched the development for automatic extraction of product from the injection molding process. The original system allowed for the removal of a pen case from the mold.

1969

Completed design of the experimental RX-0 robot.

1970

Displayed the RX model robot at the third Japan Plastic Trade Fair. The RX unit demonstrated a fully automated system for parts extraction and attracted much attention throughout the molding industry.

1971

Continued to develop small and medium sizes of the RX model robot (RX-2A, RX-3, and RX-4)

1972

Established an Osaka sales office to expand robot sales activity in the Tokyo and Osaka markets.

1975

Designed the RX-5 model robot and also developed an automation process which used two different colors for the molding of the keyboard top. Designed and manufactured a new Traversing type extraction robot and named it the RZ-series robot (RZ-50, 100, 300 and 500).

1979

Completed design and manufacture of assembly and stacking systems for use in the manufacture of the Audio Cassette Shell. Began supplying large automation systems for each magnetic tape manufacturer both domestic and overseas.

1981

Established a distributorship agreement with Automated Assemblies Corporation in Massachusetts to sell RZ-series and RX-series robots in the United States. Completed design of a special horizontal take out system for Laser Disc (LD) production.

1982

Established the Robotics Division and constructed a new facility in Ohme City to increase the design and production of the standard RZ and RX product lines.

1983

Introduced the new RZ-D series traversing extraction robot with a specially designed high-speed cylinder assembly, which greatly enhanced the output of the robot.

1985

Exhibited RZ-D series high-speed robots at the USA National Plastics Exhibition (NPE ’85) in Chicago, Illinois and increased sales volume to the USA market. Developed a take out robot and stack system domestically and overseas which caused a sharp increase in Sailor Company stock.

1987

Established a Tohuku sales office in Sendai City. Continued development of equipment for the disc-related industries and introduced a high-speed mechanical robot capable of 0.4 second take out time.

1988

Introduced the new RZ-F series traversing extraction robot with 3-axis servo motor drives which improved the speed and positioning of the robot. Developed much larger RZ robot models (RZ-3000 and 4000) and started supplying robots to major corporations domestically and overseas (Ford, Gillette, etc.). Developed an automation system to extract, assemble and stack 3.5” micro floppy discs.

1990

Increase sales design and manufacture of custom designed factory automation. Developed a small swing arm design extraction robot for CD applications, a very high speed horizontal takeout robot for 3.5” micro floppy discs, and the bit (female screw) press fit machine (rectangular coordinate).

1991

Established a Nagoya sales office to expand sales activity in the Chukyo and Tokai markets. Increase demand for new automation in the following markets:
a) 8mm videotape and DAT tape cassette
b) Special takeout robot for the MD
c) Photomultipier disc 86mm-130mm diameter
d) CD mono(one) line system

1992

Introduced the new RZ-G series servo driven traversing extraction robot which are ultra high speed and extremely durable. Introduced the new RX-7 sprue picker. Completed the successful design and manufacture for the automatic takeout and alignment of a food cup part in 4.8 seconds, for various medical parts and for the MD shell auto stacker.

1994

Introduced the new RZ-H series servo driven traversing extraction robot and the SR series line of high-speed swing arm servo driven robots for CD extraction.

1996

Established a Thailand sales office in Bangkok to expand sales activity in the Southeast Asian market. Developed the RZ-J series servo driven traversing extraction robot with low overhead height clearance.

1997

Established Sailor USA, Incorporated in Atlanta, Georgia, to sell robot and automation products directly to the US. Built a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ohme City to increase shipments of robot and automation products throughout the Asian and American markets.

1998

Introduced the new RSP series all pneumatic traversing sprue picker.

1999

Constructed a second facility in Ohme City to build Automation products. Introduced the new RZ-N series all servo driven traversing extraction robot. Established Sailor Robotec, Incorporated in Irvine, California.

Debuted RZ-N-Series robots at IPF in Chiba, Japan. N-Series robots feature the latest in AC Digital Servo technology, all new color touch panel user interface, 200 mold setup memory and much more.

2001

Introduced the all new Alpha Series Full AC Digital Servo Extraction Robot. Design for maximum flexibility while priced so even small size molders can afford full servo robots. Alpha Robots are available in single and double vertical arm configurations.

2003

The new company Sailor Automation, Inc. which integrated the business of existent two companies, Sailor U.S.A and Sailor Robotec were established in U.S.A.