KUKA Robotics Announces New Easy-to-Use Graphical User Interface for Plastics Industry; New Windows-Based GUI Provides Simplified Programmability for 6 Axis Robot Applications

Business Wire, June 6, 2006

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- KUKA Robotics Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of industrial robots, today announced its new graphical user interface for programming 6 Axis plastics automation applications. The easy-to-use window-based G.U.I. will be used to program and control 6 axis robots in plastics and injection molding applications including demolding and deburring. The new KUKA GUI named KUKA Smart GUI Plastics Software Package is the only available interface that provides the same simplified programming capability currently used in traditional linear robotic applications.

"With this new user-friendly interface plastics and injection-molding customers can reap the benefits of 6 axis robots without in-depth programming knowledge that is typically perceived," said Kevin Kozuszek, director of marketing for KUKA Robotics Corporation. "Customers can subsequently be more productive and flexible in their manufacturing processes by using the inherently flexible 6 axis robots in place of linear mechanisms."

With the KUKA Smart GUI software, customers follow graphic sequences on the computer screen to select the required robot commands. The user is guided step by step to create a customized program. The company will be showcasing the new software on its booth #9220 at the NPE show in Chicago, June 19-23, 2006.

KUKA Robotics Corporation, with its parent company KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg, Germany, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial robots, with an annual production volume approaching 10,000 units, and an installed base of over 60,000 units. The company's 5 and 6 axis robots range from 3kg to 570kg payloads, and 635mm to 3700mm reach, all controlled from a common PC based controller platform. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries. KUKA robots are found in a multitude of applications including: material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing. For more information contact KUKA Robotics at 866-873-5852 or visit their website at www.kukarobotics.com.

The KUKA logo is a registered trademark of KUKA Roboter GmbH. KUKA and KUKA Smart GUI are trademarks of KUKA Roboter GmbH. All other trademarks are owned by their respective companies.