Keywords
Citation
(2002), "Cylindrical gripper for robots", Industrial Robot, Vol. 29 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2002.04929bad.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
Cylindrical gripper for robots
Keywords: Robots, Grippers
Ideal for picking up parts with wide dimensional tolerances
Users of robots, or similar automated machinery, can readily pick up parts such as O-rings, watch cases, wedding rings, cover plates and alike, with a product made for the task from London-based Leader Grippers.
The device is a cylindrical 3-jaw gripper. It features an extremely long stroke – from 17mm up to 54mm in diameter – and is therefore ideal for pick and place operations with parts having wide dimensional tolerances (Plate 2).
Plate
2 Cylindrical gripper for robots
Manufactured in Germany by precision engineers, Sommer Automatic, the model is air-powered. Operation is by a double-acting rotary vane actuator driving planetary gearing consisting of three pinions at 120o intervals.
The rotary movement causes the jaws to simultaneously rotate either inward or outwards for internal or external gripping applications.
Be they triangular, hexagonal or round in shape, the workpieces do not need to be positioned exactly as they will be centered by the end of the stoke.
The pins on the jaws can be extended as required and each is equipped with an attached piece of pneumatic hose. This can be pulled over the pin to increase friction and protect the component being held.
Monitoring and adjustment of the stroke is facilitated by a rotation limiter mounted at the rear of the unit. The air connections are located to the back and side of the actuator.
Product Information: Leader Grippers, 3B2 Cooper House, 2 Michael Road, Fulham, London SW6 2AD, UK. Tel: (0207) 6106884; Fax: (0207) 6106872; E-mail: information@leader-grippers.co.uk