ACE Issue 21 2019 | Page 26

This is followed by a presence monitoring immediately before mounting the tool, before ultimately checking immediately after removal and finally during storage. This is the only way to prevent parts from being lost in the handling process, causing an expensive crash of the tool. Gripper precision is a decisive criteria The gripping systems that are increasingly being conceived, designed, and built independently by Denk since the beginning of 2010 are of double significance: They must ensure reliable handling whilst at the same time facilitating reliable monitoring of the relevant process steps. Primarily the latter had proved to be a challenge for a long time now, because by far and away not all gripping system components available on the market permanently achieved the required level of precision and process reliability, not even the high-end components. "With our gripping systems, it is very important of how precise monitoring could be done", Spenst underlines. "Because with 1 mm play in the gripper jaws and a closing stroke of 3 mm reliable monitoring is not possible." It repeatedly transpired with grippers from various manufacturers that sensors delivered unreliable results because the play in the jaw guidance was so large. "Over the course of time, we have realized that SCHUNK grippers can be queried very reliably, as they work phenomenally precisely", the automation specialist reports. 26 "Cycle time is real money" The SCHUNK MPG-plus is currently the most powerful miniature gripper on the market. Besides inductive monitoring, it can also be monitored by integratable and programmable magnetic switches, by means of which a high degree of flexibility can be attained. Compared with similar modules on the market requiring the same input, the gripper produces a significantly higher output, paving the way for ever smaller and more efficient systems. The high-performance, individually adapted junction roller guide ensures high load bearing capacity of the entire guidance, minimal wear, and a long life span. Components made of special high-performance aluminium are used in the interior. In order for engineers to be as flexible as possible in process and system designing, the module can be screwed through and tightened both on the side as well as on the bottom side.