Increasing flexibility and productivity with robot tool changer and EOAT solutions
13 July 2023
Stäubli Fluid Connectors now also offers a comprehensive range of material handling components and solutions
Industrial robots have revolutionised manufacturing processes across many industry sectors, through their flexibility and capability to adapt to numerous tasks. However, with increasing levels of flexibility being demanded by consumers across several different sectors, and shorter product lifespans, manufacturing processes today need to be even more agile to cater for this lower volume but higher mix scenario.
Key to maintaining the flexibility to meet these demands are a combination of automatic robot tool changing systems and a comprehensive selection of end-of-arm-tooling (EAOT) components, to allow manufacturers to quickly configure their robot systems to handle both current and future product variants and processes.
Automatic robot tool changers make it possible for the robot to exchange tools quickly, allowing the robot to perform different processes, or adapt to different product variants. With automatic changeovers taking just seconds, compared to many minutes for a manual changeover, the highest productivity levels can still be maintained even on short batch runs.
A further benefit of this technology is the ability to provide an agile response to changing customer demands, when compared to conventional and more dedicated production methods. The capability to respond quickly to new customer initiatives not only satisfies immediate customer needs, but provides a competitive advantage by enhancing customer/supplier relationships.
Robot tool changing systems from Stäubli Fluid Connectors are designed for all robots and payloads, regardless of manufacturer and robot type
Robot tool changing systems from Stäubli Fluid Connectors, for example, are designed for all robots and payloads, regardless of manufacturer and robot type. The modular design of Stäubli’s MPS tool change systems covers the entire spectrum of potential applications, and all media and signal connections can be integrated with this product range. These latest generation systems offer numerous different modules for the transmission of pneumatics, vacuum, signals, data transmission up to 10Gbit, PE protection and earthing, and RFID technology.
The MPS robot tool changing systems ensure a repeatable, precise, and stable connection between the robot and tool, even when high numbers of tool changing cycles are required. Stäubli also provides integrated solutions for the secure docking of the different robot tools. A range of docking stations are available to suit the different sizes of MPS tool changer.
Mechanical and vacuum gripper systems are a part of the overall range of end-of-arm-tooling components available from Stäubli Fluid Connectors
End-of-arm-tooling (EOAT) solutions for all robot applications
The essential interface between the robot and the product is the end-of-arm-tooling. For the robot to be both effective and productive, it is essential that the end-of-arm-tooling is not only perfectly matched to the task at hand, but in applications where robot tool changers are being used, also completely compatible with them. The recent close cooperation with end-of-arm-tooling technology partner FIPA is reflected in the range of gripper, end-of-arm-tooling components and systems now available from Stäubli Fluid Connectors.
High levels of durability and flexibility within end-of-arm-tooling solutions are essential attributes if a long-term return on investment and minimum total cost of ownership are to be achieved. With an array of individual profiles, union joints, mechanical grippers, vacuum cups, vacuum generators, electronics, and sensors, end-of-arm-tooling systems and solutions from Stäubli Fluid Connectors can be quickly and easily re-configured or retrofitted to cater for new product variants or processes.
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