"Entering the world of robotics has to be simple and attractive," emphasizes Managing Partner Henrik A. Schunk. "Users simply have no desire or time to spend days poring over catalogs, comparing interfaces and programming components." Schunk has been practising the idea of the universal gripper modular system for years with the world's widest range of grippers for industrial robots and is now transferring it to the world of small and lightweight robots. Schunk is the world's first manufacturer to offer a comprehensive complete range of standardized components for the six-axis lightweight robots from Universal Robots, which includes gripping and changing as well as measuring forces and torques.

Automation should be simple
The interfaces of the grippers, quick-change modules and sensors are coordinated within the modular system. This eliminates the need to plan and implement the electrical or pneumatic control and sensor connections individually each time. All modules can be easily connected to the UR robot arms via Plug & Work. Attachment kits or external valves are not required. Special plug-ins will simplify commissioning in future, so that even beginners can benefit from a quick and uncomplicated start to process automation. These plug-ins make commissioning the Schunk grippers child's play: the modules are connected to the robot, identify themselves and initialize automatically. They can then receive data from or send data to the higher-level controller. The control is already integrated into the UR user interface so that the components can be set up directly via the robot's control panel. Schunk is thus consistently pursuing the concept of simple automation, as represented by UR, in the field of gripping systems.

Modular system is filled with variety
The Schunk modular gripping system for robot arms from Universal Robots initially comprises the multi-tooth guided, precise and powerful PGN-plus-P parallel grippers in sizes 80 and 100, the multi-tooth guided PZN-plus 64 centric grippers, the JGP 80 and 100 universal grippers, the KGG 100-80 and PSH 22-1 large stroke grippers, the EGP electric small parts gripper and the Co-act EGP-C designed for collaborative applications. All micro valves for controlling the pneumatic modules are already integrated into the adapters. Schunk has deliberately designed a wide range of grippers in the UR modular system. "The experience of our specialists shows that lightweight robots are very often used in applications that are not collaborative, for example in assembly automation, automated machine loading, quality inspection or in the laboratory," explains Henrik A. Schunk. "That's why the UR modular system includes many of our top sellers from these application segments, but of course also the Co-act EGP-C gripper for collaborative applications." There is also the SHS manual change system with integrated air feed-through, electrical feed-through and optional locking query for changing grippers in a matter of seconds. The changing system enables particularly flexible use of the UR arms, as time-consuming set-up processes are no longer necessary and both Schunk grippers and other actuators with an ISO 50 flange can be changed precisely and reliably in just a few simple steps.

The modules of the gripping system kit can be easily connected to the UR robot arms via Plug & Work. (Image: Schunk)

Sensor for beginners and MRK
A force/torque sensor is also included in the modular system. The rigid six-axis force/torque sensor FT-AXIA is compact (diameter 82, height 25.4 millimetres) and covers two measuring ranges of up to 200 or 500 newtons (Fx/Fy), 360 or 900 newtons (Fz) and 8 or 20 newton meters (Mx, My, Mz) thanks to dual calibration. It can therefore be used very flexibly in various applications - from product tests and inspection applications to assembly or grinding applications. With a resolution of 1/10 Newton (Fx, Fy, Fz) or 1/200 Newton meter (Mx, My, Mz), the sensor is suitable for automation beginners and for areas in which manual work is also carried out. As the overload range covers forces up to 2,500 newtons (Fx, Fy) or 4,500 newtons (Fz), the sensor is forgiving of some errors in the form of short-term overloads in daily operation. The intelligence is integrated, so there is no need for external evaluation electronics.

In addition to the Plug & Work kit for UR, Schunk also offers a suitable kit for the Kuka Agilus KR6 small robot with the FT-Axia. Adapter plates for ISO 50 and ISO 33.5 interfaces are available. The sensor can be evaluated either via Ethernet or Ethercat using the robot controller or the sensor's own web interface, where the respective measuring range can be selected. LEDs indicate the respective status of the sensor.

UR modular range with 36 combination options
With maximum gripping forces between 140 and 930 newtons and strokes between six and 40 millimetres, the modular system covers a wide range of applications in both conventional automation and collaborative applications. It is equally suitable for automation beginners and professionals in the machining industry, the automotive industry and the electronics industry, as well as for many other sectors that want to tap into the potential of automation with the help of UR robots. pb