One of the most important aspects of the robot is its EOAT (End of Arm Tooling). That is where grippers for robots come into play. A robot gripper serves as the physical interface that a robot performs an application. There are four robot gripper types: vacuum grippers, pneumatic grippers, hydraulic grippers, and servo-electric grippers.
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Vacuum Grippers: This type of gripper has been the standard EOAT in manufacturing, allowing for the most flexibility out of all the robot gripper types. Vacuum grippers can be funneled through a rubber or polyurethane suction cup. They may also be funneled through a closed-cell foam rubber layer, thus
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generating a vacuum suction of compressed air.
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Pneumatic Grippers: This is the most popular type of gripper due to its compact size, light weight, and force. They can easily be incorpated into tight work cells, which can come in handy in manufacturing. Pneumatic grippers can be either opened or closed, earning them the nickname "bang bang" actuators because of the "bang" sound created by the metal-on-metal punctuation when operated.
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Hydraulic Grippers: These grippers for robots provide the most strength and are often used for applications that require a significiant amount of force. They generate their strength from pumps that can provide 2000 psi and more. Although they are strong they can bring more mess with oil used in the pumps and may damage the end effector with their great force.
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Servo-Electric Grippers: These types of grippers are appearing more and more frequently in industrial settings due to the fact that they are easy to control. Electronic motors control the movement of the gripper jaws through an electronic control. These grippers allow for flexibility in gripper strength when handling parts. They can detect if an object has been picked up by the robot through encoders. Servo-Electric grippers are also the cleanest and most cost effective with no air lines.
To ensure successful automation applications, choosing the proper gripper is essential. When deciding on a robot gripper type keep in mind the automation process you want to perform and the parts to be handled. RobotWorx is an expert in integrating the best robotic grippers for many kinds of industries. Contact RobotWorx at 740-251-4312 for any additional questions or quotes.
References:
http://blog.robotiq.com/bid/37840/top-5-Advantages-of-Servo-Electric-Grippers
http://blog.robotiq.com/bid/33127/How-To-Choose-The-Right-Gripper-For-Your-Application
