The newly founded Onrobot presented three new products and a technical upgrade at Automatica. "Collaborative robots have the potential to become the universal standard in industrial automation," says Enrico Krog Iversen, CEO of Onrobot. "We want to contribute to this and unleash this potential by taking the next step: Making collaborative applications even easier to implement and taking them into completely new areas of application."

Gripping with Gecko and NASA technology

The Gecko Gripper, for example, offers a novel approach. The gripper was developed by the start-up Perception Robotics, which was merged into Onrobot. The inspiration for this model comes from nature and uses the same adhesive system for gripping as the feet of a gecko: millions of fine fibers attach themselves to the surface of the workpiece and generate strong Van der Waals forces. For the Gecko Gripper technology, Onrobot licensed a concept originally developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and brought it to market maturity.

The fast-moving solution eliminates the need for vacuum grippers and therefore the need for a compressed air system when handling large, flat objects. Unlike vacuum grippers, the Gecko Gripper can also easily handle holey or porous workpieces such as printed circuit boards. The gripper is compatible with robot arms from Universal Robots and Kawasaki.

Sensitivity for sensitive workpieces

The Polyskin Tactile Gripper also comes from Perception Robotics. The solution specializes in sensitive gripping: Both fingers can be individually aligned and have integrated tactile sensors in the fingertips. The gripper can therefore precisely detect the surface texture of workpieces and adjust its gripping processes accordingly. These properties make it particularly suitable for working with sensitive or irregular workpieces. The Polyskin Tactile Gripper is also compatible with Universal Robots and Kawasaki.

Furthermore, Onrobot is launching a variation of the established RG2 gripper on the market: the RG2-FT has integrated force-torque sensors and a proximity sensor, allowing it to precisely detect the nature of objects. The gripper detects the risk of slipping objects before they arrive, making handling even safer - both for people and for the workpiece. This gripper model is particularly suitable for use in precision assembly and is compatible with lightweight robots from Universal Robots and Kuka.

Faster commissioning for sensors

The HEX product line for force/torque sensors has undergone a technical upgrade. The new features are designed to make installation and handling of the sensors easier and faster. (Image: Onrobot)

The Onrobot product line for force/torque sensors, HEX, which is based on Optoforce technology, is not a new product, but a substantial technical upgrade. The new features are designed to make installation and handling of the sensors simpler and faster: Thanks in part to overload protection now integrated into the sensor, which no longer needs to be removed and attached separately when attaching it to the robot arm, commissioning is up to 30 percent faster. The weight of the sensor has also been reduced by 20 percent. A new, improved sealing ring also protects the products better against dust or water in the environment. as