Quick and Adaptable Robotic Tool Changers Provide a More Agile Production Process
Robotic tool changers respond promptly to your shop’s varying production needs, enhancing overall throughput.
Posted: February 20, 2024
The compatibility and ease of use of tool changers with various robotic tools and end-effectors contributes to versatility in the production process, while at the same time reducing errors and keeping your operators safe.
Reliability and Quality for the Manual Exchange of Robotic Tooling
ATI Industrial Automation (Apex, NC), a Novanta company, offers the MC-50 Manual Tool Changer, which provides unmatched performance, reliability and quality for the manual exchange of robotic tooling. With intuitive and ergonomic lever operation, the patent-pending MC-50 provides a simple solution for quickly changing robotic end-of-arm tooling by hand. This compact and robust tool changer is designed for applications on collaborative robots that support payloads up to 25 kg, and small industrial robots supporting payloads up to 10 kg.
Featuring an ISO 50 mm mounting interface on the master-side and tool-side, the low-profile MC-50 mounts directly to most cobots, and seamlessly integrates with many common cobot marketplace grippers and end-effectors. The MC-50 also includes a safety latch button on the lever to provide secondary locking for increased safety and prevention of involuntary uncoupling. A variety of electrical and pneumatic utilities for downstream end-effectors are supported through four M5 integrated pneumatic pass-through ports and a mounting flat for optional ATI Utility Modules.
Target industry segments include electronics, aerospace, automotive and general industry.
Those Who Adapt the Fastest Win
A new type of tool changer turns the specialist for large series into a flexible all-rounder, with which even small series and individual pieces can be produced economically. The innovative TKX changer series from the IPR specialists features a motor from FAULHABER GROUP (Schönaich, Germany) in the electric drive of the automatic changer. Mounted to the end of the robot arm, the TKX changer is able to remove a variety of different tools from a rack.
The TKX series offers all conceivable options, plus several lateral screw-on surfaces for additional modules. The electric drive motor is an alternative to pneumatics and offers great amount of power with very small dimensions. The most powerful electric model in the TKX series, the TKE 300, is suitable for handling objects weighing up to 300 kilograms. In metal processing, heavy loads such as cast blocks or large forged parts, are handled by robots. The pulling force of their overall mass then acts upon the locking ring in the TKX changer. The torque supplied by the motor in standby mode would actually be enough for safe holding. But to ensure particularly reliable fixation, IPR also installed self-retaining kinematics, which were developed in-house. A brushless motor from the FAULHABER BXT family provides the driving force for opening, closing and holding. With its external rotor technology, it achieves a ratio of torque to weight and volume that is unrivalled on the market.
Increase of 25% in the Payload of Quick Change Device
The new Quick Changer from OnRobot (Odense, Denmark) is compatible with all major cobot and light industrial robot brands, allowing robot operators to change tooling on their robot arm in a matter of seconds, eliminating downtime between various processes. The enhanced Quick Changer and Dual Quick Changer now support payloads up to 25 kg (55 lbs.) with higher momentum.
The quick tool change is facilitated by a patented, reliable and easy-to-use locking mechanism, enabling simple and fast locking and unlocking, letting even unexperienced operators change the robot’s end-of-arm-tooling and use robotic tooling interchangeably with existing robots. The Dual Quick Changer offers the same flexibility and fast tool changing as the regular Quick Changer — but enables manufacturers to equip their robot with two end-of-arm tooling attachments simultaneously for maximum efficiency. By equipping a robotic arm with two end effectors, the use of two tools in a single cycle is enabled, improving productivity by 50% or more, a feature ideal for CNC machine tending to speed up cycle time.
The Dual Quick Changer comes with a low built-in height and weight and can be used on any robot arm, drone, or other equipment with an ISO-9409-1 flange.
Easy Tool Changes in Seconds
SCHUNK (Morrisville, NC) has launched a new user-friendly robotic tool change system for rapid manual exchange of robotic end effectors. The CMS offers simple and convenient operation with an extensive range of optional modules and complementary end effectors. CMS supports process reliability in automated manufacturing, handling, assembly, and other processes where precision and accuracy are required.
Whether automating simple processes to free human capacity for more valuable tasks or automating dangerous tasks like material removal that pose risk to humans, robotic tool changing is a key piece of many automated systems. With six radial and axial feedthroughs, CMS makes changing from pneumatic grippers to mechatronic electric grippers or even pneumatic automated material removal tools easy.
When thinking of process reliability, the most advanced automation systems have many validation checkpoints to confirm prior steps were completed successfully before continuing forward with the operation. CMS offers integrated monitoring systems that enable presence sensing of an end effector as well as confirming the lock condition of the tool changer. CMS robotic tool changers are available in a variety of sizes and with various options to fit your wide range of application requirements.
Solutions for Every Requirement
Experience unparalleled efficiency and productivity with Stäubli Corp.’s (Novi, MI) robotic tool changers. These innovative tool changers are designed to optimize every step of your metal fabrication process. From precision machining and rigorous quality checks to welding and seamless assembly, Stäubli’s tool changers empower you to effortlessly swap process tools, revolutionizing your operations and propelling your business to new heights. With Stäubli’s tool changers, your robots will achieve unprecedented levels of output, enabling you to outperform your competitors and achieve unparalleled success in the metal fabrication industry.
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