Sprue Picker for Plastic Injection Molding Machines — Automate Runner Removal, Speed Up Every Cycle If you have an operator standing at an injection molding machine pulling sprues and runners out of the mould by hand after every shot, you have a problem — and it's not just a labour problem. Every time a person reaches into the mould area, you add time to the cycle, introduce variability into the process, and create a safety exposure that simply doesn't need to be there. A sprue picker — also widely known as a runner picker — is the most accessible automation upgrade you can make to an injection molding machine. It does one job: enters the mould area the moment the mould opens, grips the sprue or runner, pulls it out cleanly, and deposits it into a bin or onto a conveyor — all in a second or two, consistently, shift after shift, without a break. We supply sprue pickers for injection molding machines across a wide tonnage range. Simple to install, fast to set up, and they pay for themselves faster than almost any other piece of equipment on the production floor. What Is a Sprue Picker and How Does It Work? A sprue picker is a compact, single-axis or dual-axis robotic pick-and-place unit that mounts directly onto the injection molding machine — typically on the fixed platen or the machine frame above the mould area. When the mould opens at the end of each cycle, the picker arm extends downward (or sideways, depending on configuration) into the mould space, clamps or vacuum-grips the sprue or runner system, retracts with it, and releases it into a designated drop zone — either a bin beside the machine or directly into the hopper of a beside-the-press crusher for immediate regrinding. The whole sequence happens within the mould open time — meaning it adds zero seconds to your cycle. The machine doesn't wait for the picker. The picker works inside the window that already exists between mould open and mould close. Once the sprue is clear, the mould closes and the next shot begins. No human involvement required. Why Sprue Pickers Make Such a Difference The impact of adding a sprue picker to a machine is felt immediately and in more ways than most people expect before they install one. Cycle time becomes truly consistent. When an operator is removing sprues manually, cycle time varies — by seconds sometimes, but those seconds compound over thousands of shots per day. A sprue picker removes the variability entirely. Every cycle runs to exactly the same timing, which makes output predictable and easier to plan around. Labour is freed up for higher-value tasks. A person standing at a machine pulling sprues is one of the least productive uses of skilled or even semi-skilled labour on a production floor. With a sprue picker in place, that person can monitor multiple machines, handle quality checks, manage packaging, or support mould changes — things that actually require human judgement. Safety improves meaningfully. Repetitive reaching into the mould area, even with safety gates, carries a risk profile that management and insurers are increasingly uncomfortable with. A sprue picker removes the human from that space entirely during the ejection and removal phase. Sprues go directly to regrind. A picker can be set up to drop the sprue or runner directly into the hopper of a beside-the-press crusher, so the material is granulated and ready for reuse without anyone handling it. It closes the loop neatly between moulding and regrinding with no manual steps in between. ROI is fast. This isn't a large capital investment — and the labour hours saved per shift make payback periods of two to six months very achievable for most operations. Pneumatic vs Servo Sprue Pickers — Which One Do You Need? We supply both pneumatic and servo-driven sprue pickers, and the right choice depends on your machine, your mould, and your cycle requirements. Pneumatic Sprue Pickers Pneumatic pickers use air cylinders to drive the picker arm movement. They are simple, robust, and cost-effective — and for the majority of standard injection molding applications, they do the job without any complications. Best suited for: Machines from 30T to 450T clamping force Standard cold runner moulds — sprues and runner systems Operations where cycle time is moderate and the pick movement is straightforward Facilities looking for a low-cost entry into automation Pneumatic pickers are available in single-stage arm and telescoping arm configurations. The telescoping arm (sometimes called the XW or extended-reach variant) handles deeper moulds and larger platens where a fixed-length arm wouldn't reach cleanly. Servo Sprue Pickers Servo-driven pickers replace air cylinders with servo motors for arm movement, giving you programmable speed profiles, softer entry into the mould area, and more precise positioning. They are quieter, smoother, and more flexible when mould configurations or pick positions change. Best suited for: Higher-speed production where cycle time is critical Applications where the pick position changes between jobs (frequent mould changes) Larger machines where arm length and payload requirements are higher Operations where energy efficiency and low maintenance are priorities Servo pickers typically have a higher upfront cost than pneumatic models but offer better flexibility and lower long-term maintenance requirements. Key Features of Our Sprue Pickers Fast Cycle Entry — Works Within Mould Open Time Our sprue pickers are designed to complete the full pick-and-retract sequence within the mould's natural open window — typically 1 to 2 seconds for standard applications. The machine cycle is not extended. You get automated sprue removal without losing any production time. Adjustable Arm Length and Reach Picker arm lengths are available in multiple configurations to suit different machine platen sizes and mould depths. Telescoping arm models extend to reach deeper moulds and retract fully clear of the platen before mould close. Vacuum and Mechanical Gripper Options Sprue removal is handled by either vacuum suction cups (for smooth, flat sprue bases) or mechanical grippers (for irregular runner systems or heavier sprues). Both options are available and can often be combined on the same picker head for versatility. 90° Base Rotation The picker base rotates 90 degrees to deposit the sprue to the side of the machine — into a bin, onto a conveyor, or into a crusher hopper. The drop position is programmable so material goes exactly where you need it. Simple Teach-In Programming Setting up the picker for a new mould doesn't require a programmer. The teach-in process is straightforward — move the arm to the pick position, confirm, move to the drop position, confirm, set the timing. Most operators can complete a changeover setup in under 10 minutes once they're familiar with the unit. Compact Design — Fits Within Machine Safety Guarding Our sprue pickers are designed to mount within the existing safety guarding of the injection molding machine — no structural modifications needed, no extended footprint on the production floor. The unit sits on the machine and comes down on signal from the machine's mould-open output. 24/7 Continuous Operation Built for industrial production use — not light-duty or intermittent operation. Our pickers are rated for continuous multi-shift running with minimal maintenance requirements. Machine Compatibility Our sprue picker range covers injection molding machines from 30 tons to 250 tons clamping force, across all major brands including Haitian, Chen Hsong, Engel, Arburg, Sumitomo, Fanuc, and others. Mounting configurations vary by machine brand and platen design — we'll confirm the correct mounting bracket and arm configuration for your specific machine before dispatch. What Can a Sprue Picker Remove? Sprue pickers are designed primarily for: Cold runner sprues — the most common application; the central sprue from a single-gate or multi-gate cold runner mould Runner systems — full runner trees from multi-cavity cold runner moulds Sprue bushings and gate remnants — on moulds where the sprue breaks cleanly at the gate Small rejected parts (on some configurations) — where the picker can be adapted to handle both the runner and the part Hot runner moulds typically don't produce a sprue or runner to remove — the picker isn't needed for sprue removal on hot runner tools, though it can still be used for part removal or quality separation in some setups. Integrating the Sprue Picker With Your Crusher One of the most effective setups on a busy injection molding floor is pairing a sprue picker directly with a beside-the-press crusher. The picker removes the sprue at the end of every shot and drops it directly into the crusher inlet hopper. The crusher granulates it in seconds. The regrind collects below and goes straight back into the machine's hopper — blended with virgin material via a mixer or loader. The whole loop runs automatically with no manual handling at any stage. It's a clean, efficient setup that keeps the floor tidy, recovers material in real time, and removes a significant amount of manual labour from the process. Frequently Asked Questions 'Will the sprue picker slow down my machine cycle?' No — when sized and set up correctly, the picker operates entirely within the mould open time that already exists in your cycle. The machine waits for the mould to open before closing regardless. The picker uses that window without adding to it. 'How difficult is installation?' Straightforward for anyone familiar with injection molding machines. The picker mounts to the fixed platen or machine frame using a standard bracket, connects to the machine's mould-open signal output (typically a relay or digital output already available on the machine controller), and connects to a compressed air supply for pneumatic models. Full installation guides are provided and our team is available for support. 'Can it handle large or heavy runner systems?' Payload capacity varies by model. Standard pneumatic pickers typically handle sprues and runners up to 0.5–1.5 kg without issue. For heavier runner systems from larger moulds, servo models with higher-payload gripper assemblies are available. Tell us your runner weight and we'll confirm the right specification. 'What if my mould changes frequently?' Servo models with teach-in programming are ideal for high-changeover environments — a new pick position can be programmed in minutes. Pneumatic models require physical adjustment of the arm position but are still manageable for moderate changeover frequency. 'Do I need a compressed air supply?' Pneumatic models require a compressed air supply — standard on any injection molding machine installation. Servo electric models do not require air and run on electrical power only, which can be an advantage in facilities where air supply is limited. 'What's the warranty and lead time?' Standard models carry a 12-month warranty. Most models are available from stock with a lead time of 3–7 working days depending on configuration. Contact us to confirm availability for your specific machine requirement. Take the First Step Into Automation A sprue picker is one of the lowest-risk, fastest-payback automation investments available to an injection molding operation. If you're still removing sprues by hand — or if your operators are spending half their shift managing runners — this is where to start. Tell us your machine brand, tonnage, and the type of mould you're running and we'll recommend the right picker model, confirm the mounting configuration, and give you a clear price.
This is your website preview.
Currently it only shows your basic business info. Start adding relevant business details such as description, images and products or services to gain your customers attention by using Boost 360 android app / iOS App / web portal.
Sprue Picker / Runner Picker robot for Plastic Injection Molding Machines | Automation for machine
2026-06-27T04:00:08
Sprue Picker for Plastic Injection Molding Machines — Automate Runner Removal, Speed Up Every Cycle If you have an operator standing at an injection molding machine pulling sprues and runners out of the mould by hand after every shot, you have a problem — and it's not just a labour problem. Every time a person reaches into the mould area, you add time to the cycle, introduce variability into the process, and create a safety exposure that simply doesn't need to be there. A sprue picker — also widely known as a runner picker — is the most accessible automation upgrade you can make to an injection molding machine. It does one job: enters the mould area the moment the mould opens, grips the sprue or runner, pulls it out cleanly, and deposits it into a bin or onto a conveyor — all in a second or two, consistently, shift after shift, without a break. We supply sprue pickers for injection molding machines across a wide tonnage range. Simple to install, fast to set up, and they pay for themselves faster than almost any other piece of equipment on the production floor. What Is a Sprue Picker and How Does It Work? A sprue picker is a compact, single-axis or dual-axis robotic pick-and-place unit that mounts directly onto the injection molding machine — typically on the fixed platen or the machine frame above the mould area. When the mould opens at the end of each cycle, the picker arm extends downward (or sideways, depending on configuration) into the mould space, clamps or vacuum-grips the sprue or runner system, retracts with it, and releases it into a designated drop zone — either a bin beside the machine or directly into the hopper of a beside-the-press crusher for immediate regrinding. The whole sequence happens within the mould open time — meaning it adds zero seconds to your cycle. The machine doesn't wait for the picker. The picker works inside the window that already exists between mould open and mould close. Once the sprue is clear, the mould closes and the next shot begins. No human involvement required. Why Sprue Pickers Make Such a Difference The impact of adding a sprue picker to a machine is felt immediately and in more ways than most people expect before they install one. Cycle time becomes truly consistent. When an operator is removing sprues manually, cycle time varies — by seconds sometimes, but those seconds compound over thousands of shots per day. A sprue picker removes the variability entirely. Every cycle runs to exactly the same timing, which makes output predictable and easier to plan around. Labour is freed up for higher-value tasks. A person standing at a machine pulling sprues is one of the least productive uses of skilled or even semi-skilled labour on a production floor. With a sprue picker in place, that person can monitor multiple machines, handle quality checks, manage packaging, or support mould changes — things that actually require human judgement. Safety improves meaningfully. Repetitive reaching into the mould area, even with safety gates, carries a risk profile that management and insurers are increasingly uncomfortable with. A sprue picker removes the human from that space entirely during the ejection and removal phase. Sprues go directly to regrind. A picker can be set up to drop the sprue or runner directly into the hopper of a beside-the-press crusher, so the material is granulated and ready for reuse without anyone handling it. It closes the loop neatly between moulding and regrinding with no manual steps in between. ROI is fast. This isn't a large capital investment — and the labour hours saved per shift make payback periods of two to six months very achievable for most operations. Pneumatic vs Servo Sprue Pickers — Which One Do You Need? We supply both pneumatic and servo-driven sprue pickers, and the right choice depends on your machine, your mould, and your cycle requirements. Pneumatic Sprue Pickers Pneumatic pickers use air cylinders to drive the picker arm movement. They are simple, robust, and cost-effective — and for the majority of standard injection molding applications, they do the job without any complications. Best suited for: Machines from 30T to 450T clamping force Standard cold runner moulds — sprues and runner systems Operations where cycle time is moderate and the pick movement is straightforward Facilities looking for a low-cost entry into automation Pneumatic pickers are available in single-stage arm and telescoping arm configurations. The telescoping arm (sometimes called the XW or extended-reach variant) handles deeper moulds and larger platens where a fixed-length arm wouldn't reach cleanly. Servo Sprue Pickers Servo-driven pickers replace air cylinders with servo motors for arm movement, giving you programmable speed profiles, softer entry into the mould area, and more precise positioning. They are quieter, smoother, and more flexible when mould configurations or pick positions change. Best suited for: Higher-speed production where cycle time is critical Applications where the pick position changes between jobs (frequent mould changes) Larger machines where arm length and payload requirements are higher Operations where energy efficiency and low maintenance are priorities Servo pickers typically have a higher upfront cost than pneumatic models but offer better flexibility and lower long-term maintenance requirements. Key Features of Our Sprue Pickers Fast Cycle Entry — Works Within Mould Open Time Our sprue pickers are designed to complete the full pick-and-retract sequence within the mould's natural open window — typically 1 to 2 seconds for standard applications. The machine cycle is not extended. You get automated sprue removal without losing any production time. Adjustable Arm Length and Reach Picker arm lengths are available in multiple configurations to suit different machine platen sizes and mould depths. Telescoping arm models extend to reach deeper moulds and retract fully clear of the platen before mould close. Vacuum and Mechanical Gripper Options Sprue removal is handled by either vacuum suction cups (for smooth, flat sprue bases) or mechanical grippers (for irregular runner systems or heavier sprues). Both options are available and can often be combined on the same picker head for versatility. 90° Base Rotation The picker base rotates 90 degrees to deposit the sprue to the side of the machine — into a bin, onto a conveyor, or into a crusher hopper. The drop position is programmable so material goes exactly where you need it. Simple Teach-In Programming Setting up the picker for a new mould doesn't require a programmer. The teach-in process is straightforward — move the arm to the pick position, confirm, move to the drop position, confirm, set the timing. Most operators can complete a changeover setup in under 10 minutes once they're familiar with the unit. Compact Design — Fits Within Machine Safety Guarding Our sprue pickers are designed to mount within the existing safety guarding of the injection molding machine — no structural modifications needed, no extended footprint on the production floor. The unit sits on the machine and comes down on signal from the machine's mould-open output. 24/7 Continuous Operation Built for industrial production use — not light-duty or intermittent operation. Our pickers are rated for continuous multi-shift running with minimal maintenance requirements. Machine Compatibility Our sprue picker range covers injection molding machines from 30 tons to 250 tons clamping force, across all major brands including Haitian, Chen Hsong, Engel, Arburg, Sumitomo, Fanuc, and others. Mounting configurations vary by machine brand and platen design — we'll confirm the correct mounting bracket and arm configuration for your specific machine before dispatch. What Can a Sprue Picker Remove? Sprue pickers are designed primarily for: Cold runner sprues — the most common application; the central sprue from a single-gate or multi-gate cold runner mould Runner systems — full runner trees from multi-cavity cold runner moulds Sprue bushings and gate remnants — on moulds where the sprue breaks cleanly at the gate Small rejected parts (on some configurations) — where the picker can be adapted to handle both the runner and the part Hot runner moulds typically don't produce a sprue or runner to remove — the picker isn't needed for sprue removal on hot runner tools, though it can still be used for part removal or quality separation in some setups. Integrating the Sprue Picker With Your Crusher One of the most effective setups on a busy injection molding floor is pairing a sprue picker directly with a beside-the-press crusher. The picker removes the sprue at the end of every shot and drops it directly into the crusher inlet hopper. The crusher granulates it in seconds. The regrind collects below and goes straight back into the machine's hopper — blended with virgin material via a mixer or loader. The whole loop runs automatically with no manual handling at any stage. It's a clean, efficient setup that keeps the floor tidy, recovers material in real time, and removes a significant amount of manual labour from the process. Frequently Asked Questions 'Will the sprue picker slow down my machine cycle?' No — when sized and set up correctly, the picker operates entirely within the mould open time that already exists in your cycle. The machine waits for the mould to open before closing regardless. The picker uses that window without adding to it. 'How difficult is installation?' Straightforward for anyone familiar with injection molding machines. The picker mounts to the fixed platen or machine frame using a standard bracket, connects to the machine's mould-open signal output (typically a relay or digital output already available on the machine controller), and connects to a compressed air supply for pneumatic models. Full installation guides are provided and our team is available for support. 'Can it handle large or heavy runner systems?' Payload capacity varies by model. Standard pneumatic pickers typically handle sprues and runners up to 0.5–1.5 kg without issue. For heavier runner systems from larger moulds, servo models with higher-payload gripper assemblies are available. Tell us your runner weight and we'll confirm the right specification. 'What if my mould changes frequently?' Servo models with teach-in programming are ideal for high-changeover environments — a new pick position can be programmed in minutes. Pneumatic models require physical adjustment of the arm position but are still manageable for moderate changeover frequency. 'Do I need a compressed air supply?' Pneumatic models require a compressed air supply — standard on any injection molding machine installation. Servo electric models do not require air and run on electrical power only, which can be an advantage in facilities where air supply is limited. 'What's the warranty and lead time?' Standard models carry a 12-month warranty. Most models are available from stock with a lead time of 3–7 working days depending on configuration. Contact us to confirm availability for your specific machine requirement. Take the First Step Into Automation A sprue picker is one of the lowest-risk, fastest-payback automation investments available to an injection molding operation. If you're still removing sprues by hand — or if your operators are spending half their shift managing runners — this is where to start. Tell us your machine brand, tonnage, and the type of mould you're running and we'll recommend the right picker model, confirm the mounting configuration, and give you a clear price.
2026-06-27T04:00:08
Submit Your Enquiry