KUKA Robotics Corp. has joined the North American Die Casting Assn., part of the company’s ongoing expansion in the domestic metalcasting industry. Based in Clinton Township, MI, KUKA is a division of KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg, Germany, is one of the world's top manufacturers of industrial robots.

NADCA represents diecasters and their suppliers, and KUKA is making that industry one of its focus areas in its North American expansion effort.

Joe Campbell, director of strategic alliances for KUKA Robotics, says, "Our new foundry robots introduced recently are ideally suited for the demanding diecasting requirements manufacturers face, and this membership will help us better understand their needs."

In March KUKA announced it was introducing a series of floor- and shelf-mounted robots specifically geared to metalcasting operations. "Diecasters manufacture thousands of different castings in some of the harshest of environments," Campbell points out. "With over 17 different KUKA foundry robots to choose from, we believe we have the right model for any diecasting application or environment."

KUKA Robotics also recently introduced a marketing co-op program for its systems partners and integrators that gives select KUKA integrators a vehicle to re-invest in their business. And, KUKA is setting up a national robotics training center for its customers at Fox Valley Technical College, in Appleton, WI.