Launching at Automate 2017 is the new Dual Gripper

Today’s manufacturers are continually looking for ways to produce high-quality products more efficiently and affordably so they can keep up with their competitors locally and globally.

Canadian based company, Robotiq works with manufacturers helping them to automate their businesses and to overcome workforce challenges.

The company manufactures flexible robot grippers and sensors and has been working with Universal Robots since 2012. Most recently around the introduction of Universal Robots+ products, which are complete, customized automation solutions designed to work flawlessly with UR robots.

Director of Marketing at Robotiq Karine Simard said the collaboration has made their products even easier to program and to use.

“Universal Robots is the collaborative robot brand that is most adapted to the realities of manufacturing. We believe in the power of Universal Robots as a platform to advance collaborative robotics in manufacturing. Making our products fit mechanically and software-wise has been very well received in the market,” she said.

On April 3, Robotiq will officially launch their newest UR+ product at Automate 2017, in Chicago. Visitors will be able to see, interact with, and program the new Dual Gripper, at North America’s largest automation solution trade show.

MACHINE TENDING APPLICATIONS

The Dual Gripper is suited to machine tending applications, where a robot has to remove a processed part from a machine and then replace it with the next raw part. Having two grippers on the same UR robot will save manufacturers cycle time, create a more efficient production line and give them the ability to increase their output.

Integrating technology like this will relieve employees of repetitive tasks and give them the chance to move onto higher-value roles within a business.

Continental Automotive Spain is using the new Dual Gripper with great success. In 2016, the manufacturer integrated several UR10 cobots into their production to automate the manufacture and handling of PCB boards. Continental has experienced many benefits including easy integration, zero maintenance, an increase in productivity and a reduction in changeover times by 50 percent (from 40 to 20 minutes) when compared to performing the task manually.

BENEFITS

The Dual Gripper is accessible to small and medium businesses due to its flexibility and ease of use.

There is no coding required in the set up with the cobot, making integration fast and simple. Programming, maintenance, training and spare parts management are fast and simple, saving manufacturers time and money.

The Dual Gripper can be used for a wide range of parts, making it extremely valuable to high-mix factories where different products are made with a wide range of parts. Larger factories also benefit because you can standardize one gripper and use it on all your stations.

AUTOMATE 2017

Visitors to Automate 2017, will be able to experience this new technology first hand, along with other certified UR+ products Robotiq has built for the Universal Robots+ showroom.

Robotiq will feature three interactive demonstrations at this year’s event.

“We’re thrilled to be running three interactive demonstrations which will allow visitors to see the new technology in action and give them the opportunity to program each of our UR+ products, the Wrist Camera, Dual Gripper, and Force Torque Sensor Kit,” Simard said.

“Visitors will be able to try out the Path Recording that allows the creation of a complex path within seconds. There will also be a gluing simulation and a polishing simulation for visitors to take part in. This is a great opportunity for manufacturers to see how these solutions could potentially fit into their productions.”

According to Karine Simard, manufacturers should start small if they’re looking to automate.

“Start small and simple to show the value of the robots. The first automation should be a quick win to help convince everyone of the value of robots on the factory floor,” she said.

To learn more about Universal Robots+ and the customizable solutions built by Robotiq and other UR+ developers, book a UR robot demo at Automate 2017, April 3-6 at McCorrmick Place in Chicago.