Robots are great at performing repetitive tasks with the greatest accuracy. However, the task of picking up an object can be incredibly difficult for a robot.
An end-effector is a mechanical device used to hold and manipulate objects to complete the desired task.
Usually, human hands are more nimble than robotic hands, so robots need to have flexible hands to perform delicate tasks without damaging the object.
In the following few paragraphs, we will talk about everything you need to know before getting yourself the same.
What is a Robot End Effector?
A robot end effector is the part of the machine that performs the actual work and is usually in contact with the environment. It can be anything from a welding torch to a welding arm.
In industrial robots, it is usually called the manipulator. Robotic manipulators are designed to pick up, hold and move parts, tools, or other objects.
Tasks performed by an end effector are generally highly repetitive and very delicate (like surgery), or they may involve high forces (such as moving large objects).
An end-effector must be sufficiently robust to withstand these forces and vibrations but lightweight enough so that it does not contribute much inertia to the system itself.
To achieve these goals, most end-effectors are constructed out of several parts. Only the active part touches the environment during operation while the others guide or support it.
Types of Robot End Effectors
There are many types of robot end effectors, each with benefits and applications.
Tethered Robot End Effectors
These are the most common types of robot end effectors. They are used on robots that have a rope to the base machine. The rope can be a cable or an arm that moves up and down with the robot.
These are typically attached by a wrist that allows motion in all directions. You can find these on welders, spray painters, and even assembly lines.
Robot Grippers
Robot grippers are also very common. A robot will move over the product and pick it up to work on it or move it to another location.
These come in different shapes and sizes depending on what type of product is being handled. In addition, there are suction cups, laser sensors, and other types of hands that allow the robot to handle products in industrial settings.
Parallel Gripper Hands
These hands have two parallel fingers extending from the robotic arm’s end. The fingers on this type of hand come together to grip an object like a pair of pliers would be used to grip an object.
Vacuum
Vacuum robot hands use suction cups to pick up objects instead of traditional grippers or scissors. They don’t provide much force on their own, but they can help handle soft objects like food items or glassware because they don’t leave scratches behind when they let go.
Scissors
Scissors consist of two opposing plates with handles at the top and bottom, connected by a pivot point in the center.
The plates are equipped with rubber or inflated actuators that can open and close them. When they close around an object, they can exert a lot higher force than grippers, making them ideal for cutting wire or cable tasks.
Tasks Performed by End Effectors
1) Parallel jaw grippers are traditionally associated with material handling robots like SCARA robots. They typically have one actuator in each jaw and use force/torque sensors to detect the jaws’ gripping.
2) C-shaped jaws are also used to pick up objects. The two jaws are hinged about a bar that runs through their centers. Typically, only one motor controls both jaws; force/torque sensors are used to sense how much they are gripping.
3) SCARA arms have six axes of movement, including rotary joints at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints. The name is an acronym for “Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm.”
Although they look complicated, they can be versatile and used in assembly applications. They have traditionally been used in pick and place applications where accuracy and repeatability are vital factors.
Robot End Effector Buying Guide
A robot end effector can be classified into two main categories: closed and open-ended. A closed-end effector has no clearance between the part and the tooltip, whereas an open-ended effector has clearance from the part to the tooltip.
Now, there are several factors to be considered when choosing an end effector for your robotic application, including:
Application– When choosing a robot end effector, it’s essential to consider its task-specific features. The type of work the robot is expected to do will determine the appropriate end effector for the task.
End effectors are designed for different tasks and are engineered specifically for accuracy and precision.
Ask yourself what you will you be doing with your robot. Each application has its requirements for grasping force, speed, accuracy, and repeatability.
Tooling – Will you be using standard grippers or custom grippers? Custom grippers may require special tools and additional programming time to implement into your application.
Price – It is essential to know the tradeoffs you will make when choosing a particular end effector. Weigh the different factors and choose which factors are most important to you.
Are Robot End Effectors Worth It?
They’re worth it, but you have to consider how easy it is to change them out. If you’re using a robot that requires special tooling, then it’s likely a time-consuming process that costs you money. If your robot is only used for one project, this can be a problem.
The other thing to consider is the end effector’s ability to grip and manipulate the part you need to work on. Does it have enough precision? Is it strong enough?
There are countless types of end effectors, and they can vary significantly in price and capabilities. So before purchasing one, ask yourself these questions.
Bottom Line
Robot end-effectors are worth buying, but you want to consider who will be using the end effectors on the machines in your shop.
Do they need training on how to use them correctly? Will they all need to be trained because you’ll have multiple teams working with them?
These are essential things to think about when choosing the right end effector for your application.
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