Plastics manufacturing automation is a critical part of modern engineering. From home goods to electronics to automotive needs and more, plastics are used in anything you can think of! Gripper arms, or more specifically, the end of arm tooling grippers, used in these processes are an integrated solution designed to pick up, hold, and move parts efficiently during the assembly process.
Read on to learn more about robotic gripper arms, the gripper EoAT devices attached to them, and the terminology used to help you better understand what would work best for your unique plastics applications.
What Are Robotic Arm Grippers?
Robotic devices used in automation work with a variety of parts and systems to accomplish specific tasks as directed by your unique manufacturing process. The term “robotic arm” refers to the entire device and is sometimes used interchangeably with the word “gripper.” However, in industry terminology, a gripper is a specific device used in end of arm tooling and does not refer to the full robotic arm. End of arm tools are anything attached to the end of this arm, and one type of end of arm tool is called a gripper.
The robotic gripper and its arm are vital parts of any plastic injection molding process. These unique end effectors are used to install and remove parts from assembly lines. Essentially, these devices act as the fingers of your robotic assemblers, giving them the ability to pick up, relocate, and place objects with reliable precision.
Gripper arms are used to reposition or remove the plastic parts during the assembly process, and ultimately to remove them from the mold when completed. They are attached to the end of the injection molding machines, which is why they are known as end of arm tooling.
The mold contains a cavity where the plastic is injected. Once the plastic is injected, the arm is used to remove the plastic from the mold and place it in a different location. The gripper arm is also used to remove the plastic from the mold to inspect it for any defects.
Types of Robotic Gripper Arms for Plastic Molding Processes
Vacuum Gripper
Sometimes referred to as robotic arm vacuum grippers, vacuum grippers for end of arm tooling are a type of gripper that use vacuum suction to lift and manipulate objects. Using negative pressure created by way of electromechanical or air-driven pumps, they can be used for automation in processes large or small.
Vacuum gripper end effectors excel in plastic injection molding and other plastic manufacturing due to the likelihood of flat surfaces, where vacuum grippers can safely grab the object and leave no chance for scratching or scraping of the plastic. Likewise, plastic material tends to be used in lightweight production, where vacuum grippers won’t need to produce a great deal of negative pressure to properly function.
Parallel Gripper
Parallel grippers are a type of end of arm tooling that utilize two parallel surfaces to grip objects. The advantage of parallel grippers in plastics manufacturing is precision and rigidity during the automation process.
One unique aspect of parallel gripper end effectors is the ability to use sensors to monitor their payload, allowing the automation process to accurately track the status of the grippers, from pickup, to placement, to even potential issues like a dropped payload.
Sprue Gripper for Plastics
Sprues are commonly used in plastic molding process. When the product is complete, the sprues typically need to be removed. Sprue grippers are designed to excel at this purpose, often using textured gripping surfaces which allow them to securely hold even the smallest of sprues.
ID (Inner Dimension) Gripper
Sometimes known as an expansion gripper, this type of end effector on a robotic gripper arm is designed to enter a cavity and then expand. It uses this expansion force to hold onto an object, which can be beneficial for processes that require the exterior surfaces to be accessible. This could include anything from further assembly to inspection processes.
Gripper Fingers
Gripper fingers are an entire category of devices used for EOAT grippers. These function like fingertips and can swivel or clamp behind parts for manufacturing processes. Learn more about some of the gripper fingers offered by >ASS< End of Arm Tooling.
How >ASS< End of Arm Tooling Optimizes Your Process with Gripper Arms
>ASS< End of Arm Tooling knows plastics manufacturing – our tools and systems are uniquely designed to help you achieve the most optimal process for your plastic assembly and plastic injection molding needs. For plastics applications or injection molding applications, our product line provides the most comprehensive offering of all grippers or other end of arm tooling devices you may need. Our selection of ready, in-stock parts is available to ship. We can also collaborate with you to design custom, made-to-fit solutions for your process, including 3D printing services. Contact us today to get started!