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Cold Environment Opportunity for the PowerPick Family Strategic framing for unlocking palletizing applications in 0–10°C environments

Context UR + Pal systems are specified down to 0°C. However, Robotiq currently does not offer a robust and standardized gripper solution adapted for cold environments within the PowerPick family. We sell palletizers in environments between 0–10°C, but the current standard PP configuration is not optimized for these conditions. This creates operational risks and recurring support cases.

Context

UR + Pal systems are specified down to 0°C.

However, Robotiq currently does not offer a robust and standardized gripper solution adapted for cold environments within the PowerPick family.

We sell palletizers in environments between 0–10°C, but the current standard PP configuration is not optimized for these conditions. This creates operational risks and recurring support cases.

Problem Statement

The main issue is not the full gripper assembly.

The vacuum cups are the problematic component in cold environments. The rest of the gripper can operate down to 0°C.

Current risks include:

  • Moist boxes

  • Clogged filters

  • Reduced grip performance

  • Dropped boxes

Example:

  • Standard Meat drops approximately 1 out of 10 boxes

  • Custom gripper required for Sahlens’ Foods

Selling the standard PP in cold applications increases:

  • Support cases

  • Custom engineering efforts

  • Customer dissatisfaction

Current Situation

Existing Cold-Compatible Option

For PP10, a working option exists:

  • Coval vacuum cups

  • 78 mm

  • Natural rubber

  • No filters

  • G1/4 (G3/8 possible)

However:

  • There is no equivalent cold option for PP20–30

  • PP20–30 use larger 110 mm cups

  • PP Multi does not have a cold environment option either

What Has Been Tried

A workaround was tested:

  • PP20 large bracket

  • 8 smaller cups

  • Splitters

  • Additional tubing

  • Extra air nodes

  • Custom configuration via process and BOM generator

This approach increases complexity and deviates from a standardized offer.

Strategic Opportunity

There is an opportunity to unlock an underserved segment:

  • Cold environment palletizing applications represent approximately 10% of PAL deployments

  • We want to maximize the use of the PowerPick family in PAL

  • Some customers may select alternative grippers due to cold performance limitations

A standardized cold environment option could:

  • Reduce support cases

  • Reduce custom configurations

  • Increase repeat sales

  • Improve customer satisfaction

Objectives

  • Unlock the cold environment use case for the PowerPick family

  • Provide a gripper option covering at least 80% of cold applications for UR20–30 and PP Multi

  • Avoid modifying existing gripper designs if possible

  • Maintain similar BOM cost

  • Preserve key specifications:

    • Filters

    • Lift capacity (single and dual bellow for Multi)

    • piSAVE compatibility for PP Multi

Key Constraints

  • Ideally no modifications to existing grippers

  • No new PP10 option required

  • No change to accessory ordering method (SKU based on qualification, remove and replace cups)

Risks and Uncertainties

  • Do we need to modify the gripper design beyond the cups?

  • Do some customers operate below 35% relative humidity at low temperatures?

  • How can we test effectively without a cold room?