3D Design Tool: SCHUNK eGrip
The new design tool allows users to design and create gripper fingers that are customized to their part.
SCHUNK has introduced its web-based 3D design tool; eGrip. The new design tool allows users to design and create gripper fingers that are customized to their part. eGrip works in a 3D environment and allows the user to orient the part, choose the gripper model and specify the finger material during the design process. Once the design is complete the fingers will be made by Additive Manufacturing and delivered in days rather than weeks. The advantage for designers is the online interface which creates fingers that match the part exactly and quick delivery.
Uploading the workpiece data as a STEP or STL file is all that is needed for eGRIP to determine individual gripper fingers with optimal 3D contour. Alongside the already available polyamide 12 (PA 2200 or 2201) material, users can also choose aluminum (AlSi10Mg) and stainless steel (1.4404). Using a volume-based price model, SCHUNK can pass on the cost benefits of additive manufacturing to the consumer: the smaller the finger, the lower the price.
To reduce the weight at the tool center point, the aluminum and stainless steel fingers have an integrated hollow or grid structure that is standard. Compared to conventionally manufactured gripper fingers, this allows weight savings between 10 and 50 percent. This effect is clearly noticeable with stainless steel in particular. In the new version, SCHUNK has provided the order process with all sorts of variants: If you don't want to order the gripper fingers immediately, you can recall the automatically saved offer at a later time using the configuration number or you can request it by email to submit it to purchasing at a later time. The external contour of the generated modules, consisting of gripper, top jaws and workpiece, can also be downloaded free of charge as an STL file and directly used for the construction of the system. Follow-up orders are just as easy: Any orders that are made can be brought up again or adjusted at any time.
About SCHUNK
SCHUNK is a German family-owned company and global player in one. More than 2,500 employees in 8 plants and 30 directly owned subsidiaries and distribution partners in more than 50 countries throughout the world ensure an intensive market presence. SCHUNK designs and manufactures an unmatched selection of clamping technology and gripping systems. www.us.schunk.com
Featured Product
SCHUNK's New Safety Gripping System EGN
With the SLS, SOS, and STO functionalities, the SCHUNK EGN gripping system certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 13849 enables safe human/machine collaboration. If the production process is interrupted by an emergency shut-off, the SCHUNK EGN goes into either a safely limited speed mode or a safe stop mode depending on the activated protection zone. In contrast to other solutions available on the market, the SCHUNK safety gripping system is continuously powered even in the safe operating stop so that the gripped parts are reliably held even without mechanical maintenance of gripping force. As soon as the protection zone is released, the gripper immediately switches back to the regular operating mode without the system having to be restarted.
