A couple of weeks ago Universal Robots launched their latest version of a collaborative robot; the UR3. The platform is designed for table top applications and has many specifications that fit smaller tasks than its two older and larger brothers. Since our Grippers (especially the 2-Finger 85) have been designed to fit on both the UR5 and UR10, we wanted to have the same fit with the UR3.
Well, now it's done... But honestly it was really easy! In fact, Universal Robots kept the same bolt pattern for the UR3 as it uses for its other robots. Hurray for standardization! This means that all your previous tools or end-effectors that were used with UR5 and UR10 can be retrofitted to the UR3.
UNIVERSAL ROBOTS PACKAGE
If you are interested in matching a UR robot with a 2-Finger 85, you should get the Robotiq package for UR from your robotic dealer. This kit provides specific mechanical and software components to make things easier for the installation and use of the Robotiq Gripper with Universal Robots. The kit includes: a 2-Finger 85 Adaptive Gripper, a custom mechanical coupling for UR, all the necessary screws and wiring for installation and software packages. With this kit you don’t have to buy anything else to make your robot functional.
MECHANICAL FIT
Some robot grippers on the market today have complex ways to fit the robot wrist and end effector together by adding extra adapter plates on to one another. We have developed a standard coupling to fit Universal Robots' wrist and the 2-Finger 85 Adaptive Gripper. This mechanical coupling is thin, but strong, so the Gripper is not far away from the robot wrist. Watch the installation video below to get more information on the fixing method. Notice that the installation is done on a UR5.
SOFTWARE FIT
The Gripper software fit is easy to do, you only have to insert the USB key provided into the Universal controller and the Robotiq Gripper is ready to use. The software has been designed to make programming the robot and gripper easy and intuitive. The programmer can use the pre-built functions to create specific motions. As we wanted to follow the same intuitive programing method, we have built some functions that are specific to the Universal Robots Interface and that can be integrated easily into the robot's program. For example, subroutines have been made to open the Robot Gripper, close the Gripper and grasp an object. The force, speed and width of the opening can be controlled in every subroutine by using a bit notation between 0-255. And since this is the most often sought after function for the robot/gripper and since it is already pre-programmed; your application can be up and running with minimal intervention.
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