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Robotiq launches its first UR+ certified vacuum grippers and sanding kit

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The UR+ program debuted in 2016 and has since grown rapidly to include more than 140 certified UR+ products with more than 400 companies joining the UR+ developer program.

A charter partner with the UR+ program is Robotiq, the company is now adding a new chapter to its long relationship with Universal Robots by launching three new UR+ certified products at Automate 2019; AirPick and EPick, Robotiq’s new vacuum grippers, and the Sanding Kit.

Both vacuum grippers operate without the need for external air supply. The AirPick features a built-in venturi vacuum generator, while the EPick includes a built-in electrical vacuum pump. Robotiq vacuum grippers can handle a wide range of applications and are ideal for picking up even and uneven workpieces made of different materials, such as cardboard, glass, sheet metal (dry) and plastic.

[Read more…] about Robotiq launches its first UR+ certified vacuum grippers and sanding kit

Universal Robots certifies SMC magnetic grippers

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SMC Corporation of America, a pneumatics and industrial automation components manufacturer, has joined Universal Robots’ UR+ program, launching the new UR+ certified MHM Series Magnetic Gripper.

The gripper is bundled into an easy plug and play kit that integrates to a unique solution for picking, transferring, and placing ferromagnetic workpieces of uneven surfaces, porous, or that are susceptible to damage when traditional methods of vacuum systems or mechanical grippers are not viable.

A working demonstration of the MHM Magnetic Gripper kit installed on the arm of a Universal Robot was demonstrated at SMC’s booth and UR’s booth at the recent Automate Show in Chicago.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots certifies SMC magnetic grippers

Opinion: Robotic end-of-arm tools are shaping the manufacturing industry

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By Thomas Knudsen, general manager Northern Europe, OnRobot

Within a diverse and innovative sector like the manufacturing industry, flexibility is key.

Robotics, a key enabler of this, has already taken this industry by storm, allowing factories worldwide to automate more and more tasks, cutting costs and increasing productivity.

However, simple automation is no longer enough. Manufacturers now require unique automation solutions for each specific production environment, to tackle the talent shortage they are facing, but can’t redesign facilities for every different process and application.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Robotic end-of-arm tools are shaping the manufacturing industry

Robotic end of arm tools sales set to increase by 5 percent to $2 billion in 2019, says report

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Global sales of robotic end of arm tools are set to surpass $2 billion in 2019, up from $1.9 billion in 2018, according to a report by Fact.mr. 

This growth in sales can be attributed to the ever-evolving demand of industrial ecosystems for high productivity via industrial robotics.

With industrial ecosystems facing the constant pressure to enhance productivity and reduce operating costs, the demand for collaborative robots is higher than ever.  [Read more…] about Robotic end of arm tools sales set to increase by 5 percent to $2 billion in 2019, says report

Robotiq launches software for embedded force torque sensor in Universal Robots’ e-Series

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Robotiq, a company which makes grippers for industrial robots, has launched new software for the embedded force torque sensor in Universal Robots’ new e-Series of collaborative robots.

The company says utilizing the new sensor “makes force control easy” when used with Force Copilot, the related software application.

Robotiq says Force Copilot is an “intuitive” software application which operates Universal Robots e-Series’ embedded force torque sensor.  [Read more…] about Robotiq launches software for embedded force torque sensor in Universal Robots’ e-Series

OnRobot strengthens its grip on market with acquisition of Purple Robotics

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Purple Robotics, which developed an innovative vacuum gripper within one year – the world’s first gripper specifically for cobots – has now been acquired by OnRobot.

The acquisition takes place just two months after the OnRobot merger of three robotics companies – Perceptron from the US, OptoForce from Hungary, and OnRobot from Denmark – to create one global player with a strong focus on the market for industrial robot accessories.

Now, OnRobot in Odense, Denmark, adds what it regards as another “trail-blazing technology” to its product mix.  [Read more…] about OnRobot strengthens its grip on market with acquisition of Purple Robotics

Newly-formed OnRobot debuts new products at Automatica

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The newly-formed company OnRobot, a combination of US-based Perception Robotics, Hungary-based OptoForce, and Denmark-based OnRobot, is launching several new products at the ongoing trade show Automatica 2018.

The new products are:

  • the “Gecko Gripper”;
  • the “Polyskin Tactile Gripper”;
  • the “RG2-FT”; and
  • a major technical upgrade of the existing “HEX” force-torque sensor product line based on OptoForce technology.

OnRobot says these “innovative solutions will open up new areas of application for collaborative robotics” at the same time as making implementation “even easier”.  [Read more…] about Newly-formed OnRobot debuts new products at Automatica

On Robot launches customizable grippers for collaborative robots tasked with multi-size objects

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On Robot, a Danish manufacturer of electric grippers for collaborative robots, has launched a “flexible and energy-efficient” gripper for cobots tasked with handling objects of various sizes. 

On Robot says the new gripper is easy to install on the arm of a cobot and simple to program.

The RG6 gripper is a bigger and stronger version of the company’s popular RG2, with higher payload than other two-finger collaborative grippers available on the market today.  [Read more…] about On Robot launches customizable grippers for collaborative robots tasked with multi-size objects