Efficiently loading cylindrical workpieces

Schunk is expanding its portfolio of mechatronic universal grippers for flexible machine loading with an additional component: The new EZU centric gripper reliably handles cylindrical and eccentrically positioned workpieces. Thanks to its robust, sealed design and the expandable gripping force in StrongGrip mode, it meets all the requirements of demanding production and assembly processes.

Schunk is driving forward the electrification of its portfolio in order to further expand the possibilities in efficient, future-proof production processes. After the successful market launch of the smart parallel gripper EGU, Schunk is now also presenting a 3-finger variant of the universal gripper: the EZU. It can be used to reliably implement loading and unloading processes with cylindrical workpieces. The flexible gripper can also be used in the automotive industry, for example when handling shafts or gears for production and assembly processes of drive trains.

Powerful thanks to StrongGrip

The automation expert has developed a common software platform for its mechatronic gripper series that guarantees consistent programming and commissioning. On this basis, different gripping methods can be used for application-specific handling. In addition to the normal BasicGrip mode, users can get more power out of the gripping process with both the EGU and the new EZU: In StrongGrip mode, the nominal gripping force can be dynamically increased to up to 200%. This means that even heavy, insensitive workpieces can be handled without having to change the gripper. In addition to this new-found flexibility, users benefit from extensive communication interfaces, PLC function blocks and plug-ins from all leading robot manufacturers as well as a consistent control protocol for data exchange.

Maximum process reliability - maximum flexibility

Like its 2-finger counterpart, the EZU also has integrated gripping force maintenance with workpiece loss detection. The gripping forces can be generated without a minimum travel distance, which significantly speeds up the overall process. Even in the event of an emergency stop or power failure, the EZU retains at least 80 percent of its gripping force. Another plus: the integrated absolute encoder ensures permanent referencing and a quick restart.

The centric gripper was developed to process a wide variety of parts in flexible production. For this purpose, Schunk offers the EZU in three sizes with strokes of 30 to 40 millimeters and with a gripping force of 175 N to a maximum of 3,600 N. Its freely programmable jaw stroke enables the efficient handling of different workpiece sizes. The universal gripper also shows its strengths in terms of error tolerance. Its spur gear generates an almost constant gripping force along the entire length of the finger, which also forgives positioning inaccuracies.

Thanks to the sealed design and the proven sliding guide, the gripper is particularly suitable for use in harsh environments in which it is exposed to chips or coolant. In the dustproof version, the protection level of the guides can be increased to IP64, so that the gripper can also be used in grinding applications under the influence of splash water. This makes it a robust all-rounder in all production environments.