Tool changers, grippers offer speed, cost savings

A new tool changer from ATI Industrial Automation provides a cost-effective way to quickly change tools by hand. Launched in September at the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago, where it was mounted on a robot from Universal Robots A/S, Odense, Denmark, the MC-10 manual tool changer is compatible with any industrial robot. It can handle payloads of as much as 22 pounds.

Marketing manager Charles Haines said that while the duration of an individual tool change depends on the application, "we are confident that this product will reduce the overall time and equipment required to change tools by hand."

The MC-10 sports an ergonomic twist-collar locking mechanism that provides a secure fit to the tool and easy manual operation. The compact, robust tool changer has integrated, pass-through connections for air lines and multiple fail-safe features to resist vibration and prevent loosening.

Optional electrical connections are available.

PIAB

Piab attempts to put tool changers out of work with its new Kenos KCS gripper.

"The KCS is designed to be an end-of-arm tool for collaborative robots to grip almost anything with the same unit," said Mike Tuohey, regional marketing manager for Piab's American operations.

Designed to be both strong and gentle, it can use a vacuum force of 27 inches of mercury to pick up a 55-pound object. But, the gripping surface — a special foam that can mold itself around many shapes and surfaces — also has a delicate touch: It can handle an egg or a bag of chips. A special tool head that uses suction to hold plastic bags also is available.

The EOAT is made from a lightweight, 3-D printed material and uses Piab's proprietary Coax system for creating vacuum with compressed air. According to the company, the system is quiet and requires very little energy. It's designed to be moved easily from one job to the next.

FIPA

Sprue-gripper maker Fipa has expanded its 90 and 100 lines of grippers, adding certain technologies to a broader array of model sizes. For example, it now offers an optional, replaceable rubberized pad for its series-90 grippers for applications involving small mold gates or tight spaces; the option already was available for series-100 models for large-gate applications. Designed to protect parts from being scratched or damaged, the rubber pads can withstand temperatures of up to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. They won't leave residue on the part that would interfere with the application of paint.

Optional sensors also now are available across both lines. In addition, the new rubberized versions of the series-90 models can be outfitted with teachable sensors — a feature that's now available as an option on both rubberized and non-rubberized versions of the 100 model.

Both direct and indirect sensing is available. Grippers with a direct sensor can detect when they have made contact with a part, regardless of the position of the part in their grasp; those with indirect sensing can send a signal if they detect no part.

In all, Fipa has added nine new models to the two lines. And, to help users better identify its EOAT, it has incorporated a distinctive red circle into the design of its grippers, including its 130 series.

Both the series-90 and series-100 grippers have a 10mm clamping diameter, half the width of the 130 series, which is designed for large-gate applications. The standard version of the series-90 gripper weighs about 0.5 ounce, while the bigger series-100 gripper weighs about 1.7 ounces and the standard series-130 gripper tops out at about 4.7 ounces. They all are manufactured from a high-strength aluminum alloy with a durable, corrosion-resistant anodized coating.

Karen Hanna, copy editor

[email protected]

Contact:

ATI Industrial Automation Inc., Apex, N.C., 919-772-0115, www.ati-ia.com

Fipa Inc.,

Cary, N.C., 919-651-9888,www.fipa.com 

Piab USA Inc.,

Hingham, Mass., 800-321-7422,www.piab.com