Flexible robotic systems allow quick reconfiguration for design or process modifications on the production line. With these systems, the line can be set up for another product in a shorter amount of time; reducing cycle time and increasing productivity.
In fact, when automation was only accessible to big companies, flexibility was not considered important, since they usually have high volume with low mix productions. However, with new technologies and the price of robotics coming down, medium and small companies are looking to make the move to robotics. Therefore, SMEs have to overcome the challenges of small volume and high mix productions. This is why flexibility is becoming one of the important factors in robotics.
This application can replace the non-value added job of parts tending. The parts can be placed in the bin in a random way and robots can pick up the parts when they need them. However, this can be challenging since the part can have various orientations and locations. Vision systems can improve bin picking when it comes to finding and locating parts in the bin. When it comes to handling, flexibility becomes a must. Parts have 6 degrees-of-freedom, so to be able to pick them up in any orientation, the gripper must have flexibility.
The 2-Finger Adaptive Robot Gripper - 85 is an excellent option for this application, since its 85 mm opening is often just the right size for bin picking. The Adaptive Gripper - 85 can also perform internal and encompassing grips. The fingers also automatically adapt to the shape of any part.
When performing an assembly operation or welding, the parts have to be held in place during the operation. Commonly, jigs are used to position all the pieces for assembly. Once again, this process fits well for big productions with low mix products. However, when different shapes or kinds of pieces are involved, a lot of different jigs have to be designed. This will increase the tooling cost and the cycle time due to changeovers.
Having a flexible fixturing system such as an Adaptive Gripper to hold the parts can greatly reduce those costs and improve productivity.
Material handling is also part of the list. Being able to manipulate any part regardless of its shape and geometry needs good flexibility. The industry is used to designing custom tooling for different parts, but this practice is slowly evolving with the new technologies that are available on the market. Manufacturers tend to need new end effectors that are designed to grasp different kinds of objects. It is also interesting to have robotic grippers that can perform different grasps without hard programming or complex mechanics. This is what Robotiq is aiming for in our Robot Gripper design: simple mechanics that give great adaptability.