Lightweight = enhanced part performance
Often the geometry of end of arm tooling can be difficult to machine . With 3D printing , the design can be adapted to better fit the task , and it is made lighter . Using Onyx ( nylon with micro carbon fibres ), Active8 Robots are able to print end-of-arm tooling that is hollow , yet strong .
3D printing end effectors also enables the storing of a digital file only , enabling manufacturing on demand , avoiding stockholding , reducing warehousing space and storage costs .
End-of-arm tooling – foam gripper
Active8 Robots ’ Foam Gripper is a highly versatile tool , able to pick up multiple objects up to a weight of 10kg , thanks to a vacuum generator and solenoid built inside .
The main body of this gripper is a 3D printed one-piece hollowed part , something hard to achieve through traditional fabrication methods . Alan Quinn :
“ Cobots have limitations on pay loads , generally somewhere between 2 - 6kg . The benefit of 3D printed endof-arm tooling is that those 3D printed components are extremely lightweight , which means the productivity of a robot can be substantially increased .”
• Benefits of 3D printing :
• Reduction of weight by 50 %
• Reduction of development time from 1 week to 3 days
• Reduction of costs from £ 70 to £ 10 in materials
3D printing as a trusted tool in every solution
3D printing is used in some context on all physical projects by Active8 Robots , whether in early concept stages , design development , product testing , end solutions or end-use component and continuous development .
Simon Chandler , Managing Director of CREAT3D : “ Its great to support manufacturing companies in adopting Additive in order to unlock the large gains which this technology makes possible . Not only are Active8 benefitting from flexible on-demand production , but also their customers are receiving market leading performance from their advanced automation and robotic solutions .”
For further information , please visit www . active-robots . com
Issue 56 PECM 63