By Bill Bregar | PLASTICS NEWS STAFF

MILAN, ITALY (May 6, 11:20 a.m. ET) -- Milan-based injection press maker Negri Bossi SpA has acquired Italian robot-maker Sytrama srl to bring automation in-house.

Sytrama is based in Vignate, Italy, just a few miles away from Negri Bossi. The injection press manufacturer said Sytrama will remain at the Vignate operation.

Sytrama makes beam robots, side-entry robots and linear motors. Its robots can run on injection presses with clamping forces from 50 to 6,000 metric tons. Sytrama also has expertise in designing full automation cells — a feature increasingly demanded by plastics processors when they buy injection molding machines.

A news release issued by Negri Bossi said that buying Sytrama enables the company to develop integrated automation solutions.

Terms were not disclosed.

Sytrama has built a wide range of automation, including systems for PET preform production, compact disc manufacturing and in-mold labeling.

Negri Bossi will integrate the Sytrama robot line into its machine controllers, and Sytrama also will continue to be sold for use with other brands of injection presses, according to Liam Burns, general manager of Negri Bossi USA Inc. in New Castle, Del.

Sytrama-USA is based in Windsor, Conn.