Lightweight robots with payloads of up to 25 kilograms are becoming increasingly important. They are also of interest to small and medium-sized companies for automating production and logistics tasks. Such robots can be programmed without specialist knowledge and their acquisition costs are manageable. "However, the basic prerequisite for their economical use is the right gripping system," explains Dr. Kurt Schmalz, Managing Partner of Schmalz. "This is where we provide support with individual systems and components that can be configured and modified very intuitively."

The grippers must meet certain requirements so that users can deploy their lightweight robots safely, economically and reliably. Depending on the type, cobots can move between three and 25 kilograms. "In order to achieve a maximum load capacity, the gripper must be as light as possible," explains Dr. Kurt Schmalz. Rounded shapes and a design in accordance with ISO TS 15066 - a standard for cooperation between humans and collaborative industrial robots - reduce potential sources of injury during use. In addition, the gripping systems must be quick and easy to integrate and enable continuous status monitoring. Schmalz incorporates these characteristics - communicative, flexible, intuitive in configuration and available at short notice - into the development of vacuum components for lightweight robots.

Configured with a few mouse clicks, additively manufactured, delivered quickly: The SLG lightweight gripper is the latest product in the Schmalz-Cobot range. © Lard

One of these components is the ECBPi electric vacuum generator: an intelligent and compressed air-independent vacuum pump with an integrated interface for gripper and robot connection. Because the vacuum is generated without compressed air and the associated tubing, the lightweight robot remains mobile, flexible and easy to set up. The CobotPump ECBPi provides the user with important data via IO-Link for continuous process transparency. This enables functions such as condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. "This considerably increases system reliability for the user," explains Dr. Kurt Schmalz.

The "little brother", the CobotPump ECBPM, is new on the market. It is designed for use on lightweight robots with a payload of less than four kilograms. This vacuum generator is suitable for automated handling of small parts with a single suction pad, even in confined spaces. Like the ECBPi vacuum pump, the ECBPM is also easy to integrate and does not require a separate compressed air supply.

Know-how for the right gripper solutions
Schmalz has developed the FXCB/FMCB area gripper specifically for handling workpieces regardless of size and geometry using cobots. Thanks to its large contact surface and low impact forces, it complies with ISO TS 15066. Equipped with flexible foam as a gripping surface or with bellows suction pads, it can securely hold cardboard boxes, boxes and components with structures and recesses as well as three-dimensional external shapes weighing up to eight kilograms. The system is available with or without integrated vacuum generation. Thanks to its communication technology with IO-Link, the FXCB/FMCB can be easily integrated into any automation environment. In addition, users can access all device data with their smartphone via the "Schmalz ControlRoom" app and thus parameterize the gripping system.

The modular VEE system is suitable for the construction of individual vacuum end effectors. It consists of various individual parts that are assembled into a customized gripper using configuration software. The focus here is on the idea that the user can configure and modify the solution immediately. Schmalz provides support in determining the best possible selection and delivers the assembled unit on request.

Digital platform and 3D printing
"With our latest development, the SLG lightweight gripper, we are meeting the demand for flexibility and short-term availability," says Dr. Kurt Schmalz. This enables users to implement automation solutions more quickly. Schmalz is breaking new ground with the lightweight gripper in several respects. Users can create the right gripper for their requirements via a digital platform - without expert knowledge. In addition to web-based configuration, Schmalz relies on additive manufacturing processes. This means that particularly lightweight, safe and robust grippers are quickly available, each tailored to the respective application.

Schmalz offers individual complete packages to match the various robot models from different manufacturers - either with the ECBPi electric vacuum generator, the FXCB area gripper or the VEE end effector. The sets contain all the components required to build a complete gripper, including a flange for easy connection to the robot. In this way, the preconfigured gripping solution is ready for use within a very short time.

"Only the right gripping system turns a bare robot arm into a functioning system that can move or process something," explains Dr. Kurt Schmalz. With its customized gripping solutions, the company helps to ensure that users can commission their robot systems quickly and operate them intuitively. The simpler and more efficient the use of lightweight robots for different tasks becomes, the more attractive it will be for small and medium-sized companies, for whom the purchase of a classic industrial robot was previously not worthwhile. as