MU_2018_JulyAugust-HR

www.machineryupdate.co.uk JULY/AUGUST 2018 MACHINERY UPDATE 75
Feature: Automation, robotics and vision
Developing end-of-arm tools to accommodate a wide variety of parts with different contours is a key factor in the flexible use of cobots in manufacturing
New grippers deliver
ongoing functionality
Machinery Update talks to Piab about its ‘ready-to-go’ vacuum grippers
that can adapt to a variety of contours to handle different parts easily
The functionality of a cobot is
decided at the end of its arm
and the latest Kenos vacuum
gripper from Piab increases
the flexibility of cobots and
the range of applications without the
need for retooling.
End-of-arm tools play a key role in
cobot functionality as it allows the cobot
to pick up a part. And although specific
tools can accommodate a specific part
and perform well in a defined process,
developing tools to accommodate a wide
variety of parts with different contours is
a key factor in the flexible use of cobots.
Taking these requirements into
account, Piab has introduced its first
‘ready-to-go’ vacuum gripper unit
specifically for use with collaborative
robots (robots which can be used in close
proximity to humans). The result is the
new, compact KCS series Kenos vacuum
gripper that can pick up products of
many different shapes and is designed
in such a way that different grippers can
be exchanged easily and efficiently via
a quick-change system.
The system consists of a separate
pump unit in which a modular vacuum
generation device is integrated in the
smallest space – and a gripper unit.
Both are connected to each other by
the quick-change system. The entire unit
can be attached to all common cobot
models with a suitable adapter.
DETECTION OF WORKPIECES
The main gripper consists of a technical
foam on its underside, which can adapt
to a wide variety of contours and thus
very flexibly handle different parts.
In many cases, this eliminates the need
for accurate detection of a workpiece as
well as the detection of gripping surfaces.
In many applications, having to use a new
gripper when changing the parts to be
picked up is not necessary. The cobot is
therefore ready for immediate use during
different processes.
In addition to this flexibility in
An FDA-approved
technical foam can be
used for food products
changing between various products
easily, time and cost savings are achieved
through shorter downtime and any
retooling times. This also supports the
economic production of ever smaller
batch sizes, especially in markets with
a high demand for individualised or
personalised products.
When handling food, the gripper can
be equipped with a special FDA-approved
technical foam.
At the same time, for special
applications, such as the handling of
plastic bags filled with concentrates or
granules, Piab has developed another
gripper unit, which can be swiftly
exchanged via the quick-change system.
Both of these gripper units are
characterised by their edgeless design,
says the company. Due to the rounded
sides and the technical foam surface of
the main unit, possible injury hazards
are largely eliminated. This makes the
gripper units particularly safe to use
on cobots, which co-operate freely with
humans and thus can also increase the
acceptance by the operators.
T 01509 857010
W www.piab.com