AWR standardizes CNC machine tending with OnRobot electric grippers to speed changeovers

Within the fast-paced world of high-mix, low-volume manufacturing, the flexibility to pivot between totally different half sizes is the distinction between profitability and stagnation.

For a few years, machine outlets have been tethered to pneumatic programs that, whereas practical, lacked the intelligence and adaptableness required for contemporary automation.

Automation Within Reach (AWR, previously Gosiger Automation), a specialist in accessible CNC automation, acknowledged that to actually empower their prospects, they wanted to maneuver past the mechanical limitations of the previous.

To take action, AWR changed six totally different pneumatic grippers with OnRobot’s 3FG25 gripper as commonplace end-of-arm tooling for its subsequent technology lathe tending cells.

Because of its massive stroke, excessive payload, and talent to manage power and positioning digitally, the electrical 3-finger gripper solves probably the most persistent problem for high-mix producers: the necessity to manually alter grippers each time a brand new half dimension enters manufacturing.

To maximise throughput, AWR developed a dual-tending configuration with two 3FG25 grippers, enabling the robotic to select a completed half and place a clean in a single cycle, lowering manufacturing time and rising return on funding.

The problem: The constraints of pneumatic ‘all-or-nothing’ grip

Previous to standardizing with OnRobot, AWR utilized pneumatic grippers for tending lathes in CNC cells.

Tyler This, mechanical product design engineer for AWR, recollects the numerous hurdles for purchasers who produce many alternative half numbers in restricted portions.

“Pneumatic grippers sometimes provided an ‘all-or-nothing’ stroke and power utility, lacked finger place suggestions, and required advanced, customized fingers to forestall damaging delicate components,” he says.

Every time a producer switched to a distinct half dimension, mechanical changes or totally new grippers had been required, stalling manufacturing and rising labor prices. The reliance on pneumatic programs additionally meant that prospects struggled with air strain loss.

“Buyer complaints about changeover and strain loss had been main components in pursuing OnRobot grippers,” concludes AWR’s design engineer.

The answer: A flexible, clever electrical commonplace

AWR’s choice was pushed by the 3FG25 gripper’s excessive payload capability, compact dimension, and the flexibility to manage grip power and positioning digitally.

Not like pneumatic options, the 3FG25 permits dealing with the totally different components with no adjustment when altering half sizes, because the stroke and power will be programmed exactly for every distinctive half.

The technical transition additionally simplified the whole automation ecosystem. By switching to electrical grippers, AWR eradicated the necessity for peripheral tools reminiscent of solenoids and exterior air strains, lowering the general half rely for the CNC automation cell whereas making the programs simpler to service and keep.

“AWR selected OnRobot’s 3FG25 gripper as the usual for the Subsequent Era of lathe tending merchandise due to its small dimension, low weight, payload, built-in power monitoring/adjustment, and place suggestions in addition to its reliability, and myriad different advantages over equally rated pneumatic grippers,” says This.

With the 3FG25, workpieces are robotically centered, leading to a powerful, secure grip and exact placement in machine chucks. Because the title suggests, the gripper can deal with payloads as much as 25 kg (55 lbs) with a totally adjustable gripping stroke of 137 mm and a totally adjustable gripping power from 50-450 N.

The 3FG25 helps each exterior and inner grip modes with clever grip suggestions that robotically detects when an element is efficiently gripped.

Earlier than implementing the change, AWR put the 3FG25 gripper via rigorous testing when it comes to excessive payload, attain and “half drooping”.

“After we had the gripper maintain lengthy components parallel to the ground, we noticed little to no drooping,” explains This. “The efficiency exceeded expectations.”

Influence: Precision, reliability, and elevated ROI

The shift to OnRobot has delivered speedy operational advantages. AWR reviews higher half choosing and fewer marking of components, instantly bettering high quality.

For the shopper, probably the most vital influence is the “implausible quantity of flexibility” offered by the 3FG25, says This.

With a number of part-contact tooling choices, reminiscent of knurled surfaces or rubber sleeves, and the flexibility to deal with numerous diameters with out mechanical intervention, the return on funding has seen a notable improve.

“No different gripper available on the market has the identical payload, ease of use, or performance in an inexpensive dimension,” says This.