This system requires no compressed air and complements the current generation of pneumatically-controlled magnetic grippers. The end-of-arm tool can be attached to robots and manipulators and holds a steel sheet or other product once gripped firmly in place, even during pick and place operations.

The energy-efficient magnet system has a bi-stable design, ensuring process safety even in case of power failure, an emergency stop or malfunction. With its plug-and-play design, the safe E-gripper requires little energy and eliminates the need for costly compressed air; something that the current generation of magnetic grippers do need. The gripper is mechatronically constructed and contains no moving parts. It is wear-resistant and has a long service life of more than ten million cycles.

Intelligent end-of-arm tool

The electrically switchable magnetic gripper was developed from market demand. Users do not always have compressed air available and want a safe and reliable system for automation processes. The magnetic gripper is equipped with a complete set of sensors, including inductive sensors for detecting product presence, as well as Hall sensors for signalling the on/off position.

If the workpiece is lost due to a collision or for any other reason, the PLC receives a real-time notification, so the line controller can react accordingly and the production process does not experience any serious disruption. Moreover, the E-Gripper is equipped with all-round visible LED lighting that indicates the status of the system with colours and light signals. This is particularly convenient for operators.

High productivity and long lifetime

The E-Gripper has a switching time of 350 m/sec, resulting in fast cycle times. The magnetic gripper holds products such as steel sheet firmly on a relatively small surface area and requires no changeover when changing product dimensions. The magnetic robotic gripper is a mechatronic product with no moving parts, resulting in no wear and tear. The only wear part is the friction ring, which is easily interchangeable and extends the life of the gripper.

The magnetic gripper has screw holes on the top and is easy to attach to a robotic arm as an end effector. Control is provided by internal electronics with integrated microprocessor and can be connected with only one cable for ‘power and logic’. The manual contains clear assembly instructions, making commissioning quick and easy.

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The permanent magnet can be pneumatically controlled using compressed air and a 5/3 valve. This makes it extremely safe, because the magnet retains the load even in the event of a loss of compressed air. To give an idea of the ratio of compactness to magnetic force, a 115mm power gripper lifts a load of about 175kg and has a holding force of 527kg. The magnet is maintenance free, has a long life and is available in three sizes: Ø50, Ø75 and Ø115mm.

In robotics applications, the power gripper serves for picking up or gripping solid, heavy steel parts or products. The magnets can be switched on and off via simple pneumatic control using a 5/2 or 5/3 valve. This allows the system to lift and transport steel parts from 6mm, one at a time. The on/off position is detectable by means of sensors in the slotted holes. If necessary, two or three grippers can be coupled together, while only two connection ports are required, due to the internal air passage.

The switchable power gripper is also suited to lifting solid steel beams, grilles, plates, milled or casted parts and more. It can also be used to hold steel objects, for welding or sharpening. What makes this system so special is that it is very powerful when switched on and has absolutely no residual magnetism when switched off. Due to the high lifting force, even heavier objects can be moved with permanent magnets.

The advantage of switchable permanent lifting magnets is that they do not require a back-up system for potential power failures and can therefore safely lift heavy loads. This means considerably lower investment and maintenance costs as well as a much simpler controller.

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The ultralight magnetic gripper is fitted with permanent magnets and can be used in grippers on robot arms. The magnets can be switched on and off pneumatically. This enables the system to pick up and transport even very thin steel sheets one at a time. The rubber pad at the end ensures that the work piece does not slide during vertical pick-up and prevents the work piece from being damaged. This easily installable system is already in use by a number of large car manufacturers.

The use of a magnetic gripper on robot arms replaces the traditional vacuum technique. A disadvantage of vacuum grippers is that they are susceptible to malfunction and subject to wear. Furthermore, the vacuum cups must be positioned correctly, because when they are positioned even partially over a hole in the metal sheet they do not grip at all.

The electromagnets used by other manufacturers are not a good solution for this problem, because they are so heavy that they reduce the lifting capacity; a magnetic gripper with permanent magnets is considerably lighter. Moreover, the gripper does not wear and has a longer service life than vacuum grippers.

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The low weight, small installation dimensions and high switching speed make the gripper perfect for use in existing gripper units or robot systems. Operations can be performed immediately after the tins come out of a hot oven, and automates what has traditionally been a difficult and time-consuming task.

The gripper continues to function even when exposed to high ambient and product temperatures up to 120°C. Moreover, the gripper always remains in its last position – even when air pressure is lost – regardless of whether it is on or off.

The magnetic gripper’s square housing is constructed of high grade aluminium and is also nickel plated. It has various threaded holes and therefore offers numerous mounting possibilities. The contact surface is AISI 316 stainless steel. Switching requires compressed air, which is easily controlled with a 5/2 or 5/3 valve. The big advantage is that the baking tin cannot fall, even if the air supply is cut off.

In contrast to the common vacuum system, the magnetic gripper requires minimal maintenance and has a tested service life of more than one million cycles.

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