By Kalwinder Kaur
SCHUNK will highlight the electrically driven small parts gripper EGP during IMTS 2012 titled ‘Success in Manufacturing’. This new, innovative EGP offering from SCHUNK has simplified the conversion from pneumatic to electric gripping modules.
Mechatronic Gripping Modules
Based on simultaneous high gripping force and increased speed, the electrically driven small parts gripper EGP is more efficient than related grippers that exist on the market. Due to a dynamic roller guide, the gripper can efficiently carry out complex Pick&Place applications.
EGP uses the time-tested pneumatic small parts gripper MPG-plus and therefore provides a number of added benefits such as enabling total transfer of the sensor system of the MPG plus to the EGP by the users followed by rapid conversion of existing systems from pneumatics to electric. Similar to the MPG-plus, this gripping module from SCHUNK can either be directly controlled digitally or using open/closed sensor distributors.
The EGP also can be bolted via the side or bottom, like MPG-plus. This provides enhanced flexibility while designing the system. The EGP is lightweight consisting of unique high-grade aluminum that minimizes surplus material on the internal components and gripper configuration, thereby contributing to high energy-efficiency and increased dynamics of the system. An incorporated, programmable magnetic switch ensures efficient monitoring of two positions even in the absence of significant interfering contours. This switch indicates the position of the system which may be open or closed.
Improved process stability can be achieved by programming the switch-off points.
Diverse-sized workpieces are position monitored and detected even while using very short strokes. EGP size 40 is the first version. It features 400 g of weight and can efficiently carry workpiece weighing up to 675 g. It can accomplish stroke of 6 mm per finger. It achieves about 135 N of four-stage adjustable gripping force with a closing time of <250 ms.
Source: http://www.schunk.com/