ITCM designs and develops special-purpose machinery and production processes with core strengths in web processing, powder dosing, novel packaging and high-speed assembly automation.

Tool changer eliminates the need for multiple robots

Staubli Connectors Division's latest automatic tool changing system, the MPS 32, provides fast, efficient and secure tool changes for all types of robot arms, thereby reducing the need for investment in additional robots. Its compact size adds only 40mm to the robot arm.

Increasing the utilisation and productivity of an automated manufacturing cells frequently requires several operations to be completed by robots, all within the production cycle time. The end-of-arm tools required during the cycle can range from drilling or grinding heads to grippers or gauges. Additional operations usually require more robots; but, with the facility to quickly and automatically change the tools on a robot arm, the need for a second or even third robot is eliminated, which significantly reduces the capital investment required, improves payback and often reduces the overall cell footprint.

Staubli's automatic tool changers are specifically designed for these types of applications and the introduction of the MPS 32 extends the benefits to installations using smaller, lighter tooling in compact cells. All are directly mountable on the robot flange and provide secure locking and unlocking. Staubli's tool changers now extend from 32kg up to 630kg tool weight capability and, in many applications, have performed successfully for over 1million connection cycles.

The MPS 32 is a compact unit, just 63mm diameter and 40mm wide, and the robot-side and tool-side elements together weigh just 0.7kg, which is claimed to be considerably smaller and lighter than competitive products. It can handle payloads up to 32kg, operating within a pressure range of 4.5-10.0bar. The locking unit is a double-acting, pneumatically actuated system that ensures secure retention of the tool; additional internal springs make certain that the tool is securely held by the changer even if the pressure drops.

All systems required by the tools are connected automatically, employing the technology used in Staubli multi-coupling plates; fluid lines, signal connections - such as required for actuators, sensors, bus systems or fibre optics - and power connections are connected to the tool and disconnected automatically without any loss of fluid or ingress of air into the circuits.

For more information, visit www.staubli.com/en/connectors

Tags: