FEATURE Robotics
Feature sponsored by
Schmalz innovative gripper technology supports cobots uses
T
he adoption of collaborative robots, or cobots, across many sectors continues apace as increasing numbers of
manufacturers realise the benefi ts cobots provide, for cost-eff ective and productive operations. Designed specifi cally to work safely alongside humans, cobots generally feature an aesthetically-pleasing smooth, rounded design, with no sharp edges that could cause injury if the cobot accidentally comes into contact with an operator. In addition, the arm joints are usually encapsulated to ensure that there are no pinch or trap points for human fi ngers and hands.
Just as cobots have improved to provide
greater reach and payload capabilities, so too have the gripper technologies they use, to cater for the wider range of applications, but also for compliance. Gripper design and functionality must comply with ISO TS 15066, which provides guidance for collaborative robot use. In addition, to maximise the cobot’s potential for operational performance and fl exibility, the gripper systems themselves need to exhibit characteristics that promote ease of integration and ease of use across a diverse range of applications.
Vacuum gripper technology There has been a signifi cant uptake in cobots for product handling, palletising and de-palletising in recent years. At Schmalz this has been the catalyst to develop a comprehensive range of gripper systems for cobots. To maximise the performance and payload capabilities of the cobot, the weight of the gripper system must be optimised and, in keeping with the ease- of-use concept, ideally the pneumatic vacuum generation technology should be integrated within the gripper unit to simplify integration and operation. New additions to the Schmalz range include the FXCB/FMCB area grippers, designed to support handling tasks with cobots. These gripper systems are a valuable asset for many applications within intralogistics, such as end-of- line packaging and pick-and-place.
20 November 2023 | Automation
The innovative design of these gripper systems, which involves 3D printing as part of the manufacturing process, complies with ISO TS 15066, and the FXCB variant also includes integrated vacuum generation. Additional features of this range include innovative communication technology via IO-Link and an integrated NFC (near fi eld communications) chip. The Schmalz FQE range also off ers
fl exible handling of workpieces, regardless
of size and geometry from diff erent pick- up positions. Also designed for use with cobots, these gripper systems provide solutions to handling applications across many sectors, including automotive, electronics and glass, to name just a few. The “X-variant” of this area gripping system comes complete with a particularly energy-effi cient, fully-integrated pneumatic vacuum generation system, with the alternative “M variant” designed for operation with an external vacuum generator. With their low weight and low noise levels, and their smooth rounded design, these grippers are also suitable for human-robot collaboration, meeting the ISO TS 15066 standard.
Enhancing cobot operation The design of these gripper systems from Schmalz promotes and supports the safe environment requirements for employees when working alongside cobots. In addition, their low weight and dynamic geometry ensure optimum operational robot cycles, whilst the process and condition analysis functionality, which is also available, provides useful information for maintenance personnel and which can be accessed using a smartphone.
CONTACT:
Schmalz
www.schmalz.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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