The award recognises innovation projects that demonstrate excellent use of human-centred research and design processes (rather than solely technology-led innovation), leading to new products or services that are more desirable, useful and easy-to-use.

Innovate 2017 showcased the best of UK innovation – Shadow was just one of 100 companies nationwide to be selected to exhibit to over 2,500 businesses at the NEC, Birmingham.

Shadow exhibited a version of its Smart Grasping System – an intelligent, industrial grasper. Currently in development, with further developments expected over the coming year, the Smart Grasping System will feature built-in intelligence and vision, meaning that you can use one robot to perform the work of many robots, thus reducing the amount of robots needed in a factory.

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Industrial graspers are built to pick up one thing, move it and put it down. If you have two different sets of objects, you currently need two different grippers to perform that task. Shadow’s Smart Grasping System has a library of different grasps, meaning you can use one hand to pick up many different types of object, which reduces the need for multiple machines in the factory.

To control the grasper, each SGS finger uses a Maxon brushed DCX 14mm motor and GPX 16mm gearhead combination. The DCX range was attractive to Shadow as it is configurable online and offers super-fast delivery – in fact it was ready within 10 days. The power to weight ratio was appealing and, together with the strong gearbox, gave additional torque on a smaller motor. The DCX range uses ironless rotor technology which gives smooth and precise control for the gripper.

Rich Walker, managing director at Shadow Robot explains: “Most industrial graspers don’t have torque sensors. Here at Shadow, we think that if you want the most flexible and safe robots, then that’s exactly what you need. We’re moving away from a time where robotics were strictly bits of metal clanking around, and moving towards smarter, intelligent technology that understands how it interacts with the world. Which is why we’ve designed the Smart Grasper with this in mind.”

Torque sensing provides your robot with precision, making accurate grasps with a better hold, increasing the success rate of the grasps, and therefore making for a safer work environment. The SGS has sensors that monitor the torque in the springs of the joints. If you want to apply a particular torque to a finger, you can do that as there are a series of elastic actuators which control it, plus you can physically back-drive it too, increasing human interaction safety. “No other commercial grippers have this quality,” says Walker.

The Smart Grasping System is a universal solution to many manufacturing needs. It means companies require fewer robots, fewer spare parts, less training for staff and less human cost, all resulting in a system that can be installed across multiple sites, with an extremely easy user interface and setup. Companies will save money and time, increase efficiency and bring their business in line with smart manufacturing concepts such as Industry 4.0.

Visit the Shadow Robot website for more information

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