The clamping and gripping specialist RÖHM presents the world's first HRC-capable robot gripper that is manufactured on the basis of a product platform using additive manufacturing. This positions the company in the quickly developing segment of human-robot-collaboration (HRC).
Optimum connection of the strengths of humans and robots is one of the top objectives here. The focus is on work relief for physically strenuous, monotonous and ergonomically adverse work. The “assembly colleagues” thereby effectively help to make working conditions healthy and the working atmosphere pleasant. In addition, experts in the financial and labour market are in agreement that it is often only possible to protect jobs in high-wage countries through the contribution of robots, because they make it possible to have cost-effective production with high wages at the same time.
The subsequently increasing demand for components for human-robot-collaboration led to the development that RÖHM realised together with KUKA Systems. Here, the grippers meet the particularly strict requirements of safety. For example, the recent standards ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066 are met by rounding edges and corners, a specially matched flange and cleverly designed safety shields. The additional compliance guarantees protection of workers against injuries.
With the RRMG-MRK, RÖHM can react to a great variety of requirements and offer exactly matching solutions. Christian Schmid, Head of Product Management and gripper specialist at RÖHM: “The big advantage of our additive manufacturing method is the ability to map all conceivable workpiece shapes. It doesn’t matter whether customers have requirements for gripping on the outside or inside. For example, they can grip round, oval or almost any shaped workpiece on the inside contour. Even different workpiece diameters can be gripped safely and reliably with one and the same gripper due to the high flexibility of the gripper fingers.” Another benefit is that material damage is as good as impossible due to the surface finish of the material polyamide PA12. “In addition, “PA12” is very resistant to media such as cooling lubricants or oils and is also food compatible, which opens up new areas of application. This flexibility in connection with robustness, resilience and a weight-optimised design are very important to our customers,” adds Schmid.
In fact, the deadweight of 300 gm (depending on the contour of the gripper fingers) is extremely low. The RRMG-MRK also exhibits outstanding performance in the area of longevity. The gripper is maintenance-free up to ten million gripping cycles with up to 100 cycles per minute. Depending on the gripping strategy and contour of the workpiece, even heavier components can be gripped safely with 120 Newtons of gripping force. The clamping position is queried conveniently via integrated sensors.
Christian Schmid: “In addition, with the flange developed especially for the KUKA LBR iiwa, the gripping position can be changed by 90 degrees – depending on whether a component is to be gripped horizontally or vertically. Thanks to the quick adjustment, the gripper can easily swivel by 90 degrees.”
Conclusion: With the robust, light and individually adaptable RRMG-MRK, RÖHM has taken another step towards the future and proven itself once again to be the innovation leader in the area of products from additive manufacturing.
