Ultra-light gripper system, thanks to carbon

In 2015 Gimatic is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary in the sector of industrial automation. Founded in 1985, the company pays particular attention to topics associated with energy saving, and participated at Plast exhibiting the Ultralight EOAT gripper system, an innovative carbon fibre based product. Various points of strength set it apart and differentiate it from traditional gripper systems: ultra light, it was designed and created to consume less energy.

The Ultralight EOAT's top feature is its light weight, possible as it consists of elements which reduce the weight by up to 50%. The lightness of the structure comes from the main two elements it is constructed off: carbon-fibre pipes, available in two sizes (diameter of 20 and 30 mm) inserted in the structure, replacing the traditional aluminium profiles; engineering polymer supports, resistant and present in the different sizes of EOAT gripper hands, to maximise the composition of the gripper system itself.

Lightness, however, does not mean rigidity and the combination of these two features results in a frame delivering a performance comparable to traditional frames. Because of its light structure, Ultralight EOAT guarantees important advantages, including the option of choosing a smaller robot (Cartesian or anthropomorphic) on which the grip finger is mounted, resulting in notable economic savings at the time of purchase.

The lightness also results in a need for less energy when the gripper is unloading, with ensuing benefits in terms of cost and production consumption. This is also a benefit to format changes, which the operator can do more rapidly and in total safety.