OnRobot releases two electric grippers for heavy payload cobots

CHICAGO — As collaborative robots get bigger for tasks such as palletizing, the end effectors needs to keep up. OnRobot A/S showed two new, heavy-duty grippers at Automate this week.

“As cobots grow more powerful, OnRobot customers are scaling up their collaborative applications,” stated Enrico Krog Iversen, CEO of OnRobot. “Building on the success of our existing, industry-proven gripper range, the new 3FG25 and 2FG14 grippers deliver unrivaled gripping and payload power while also providing customizability for heavy-duty applications, including [in] harsh environments.”

Founded in 2018, OnRobot was formed with the merger of three end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) companies: Perception Robotics, OptoForce, and OnRobot. The Odense, Denmark-based company also acquired Purple Robotics in 2018 and Blue Workforce in 2019.

The provider of hardware and software for collaborative applications said its grippers help small and midsize manufacturers optimize processes such as palletizing, packaging, pick and place, sanding, and screwdriving.

Several leading cobot brands now offer models that can handle around 30 kg (66.1 lb.), and industrial robot arms are being deployed in collaborative applications, observed OnRobot. To address these applications and enable improved workpiece adaptability, the company plans to officially launch the 3FG25 gripper later this month, while the 2FG14 gripper made its North American debut this week. 

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OnRobot aims to add flexibility with heavier grippers

OnRobot said both of its new electric grippers can handle larger parts without the bulk or power constraints of pneumatic systems. The three-fingered 3FG25 provides 25 kg (55.1 lb.) of payload capacity in a compact, all-electric, lightweight form factor, said the company.

The 3FG25 is a larger version of the 3FG15 gripper, which has already been widely adopted for CNC (computer numerical control) machine tending, said OnRobot. Both are capable of handling cylindrical and oddly shaped items, and the 3FG25 has new fingers for heavier metal workpieces. It is available for preorders.

Similarly, the 2FG14 doubles the payload and gripping force of the popular 2FG7 gripper, while also providing 30% more total stroke, according to the company. It has a payload of 14 kg (30.8 lb.), making it suitable for machine-tending applications, OnRobot said.

In addition, the 2FG14 has a compact base and is designed for challenging work environments where workpieces are frequently exposed to oils or cutting fluids. 

“The 2FG14 is a great gripper. It’s easy to use and allows our cobots to maintain maximum payload,” said Alex Pinkerton, mechanical engineer at Gosiger. “OnRobot products have intuitive, operator-friendly user interfaces, and the 2FG14 maintains this tradition. It’s perfect for demanding packaging, machine tending, and assembly applications.”

In addition, OnRobot said its grippers, connectors, and software “offer an all-round plug-and-produce experience.” They include fingers with multiple configurations, flange adapters, cabling, and software to reduce the complexity of robot programming. OnRobot supports multiple robot arms and is part of the UR+ ecosystem as a certified offering with Universal Robots cobots.

“The flange is not new, but we’ve used a new material to reduce the weight,” Kristian Hulgard, general manager of OnRobot, told The Robot Report. “It’s really about the flexibility; cobot users should still do safety assessments of their payloads and applications, such as welding.”

Ellison Technologies launches AutoPilot powered by D:PLOY

OnRobot also announced that it is collaborating with Ellison Technologies Inc., a provider of advanced machining systems. The companies are releasing AutoPilot powered by D:PLOY, which aims to simplify the process of deploying CNC machine-tending applications.

OnRobot’s D:PLOY is an automated platform for building, running, monitoring, and redeploying machine tending applications. By automating the development process, it can cut deployment times and enable deployments to take place on the factory floor, with zero programming and zero simulations required, asserted the companies. 

“Companies racing to plug labor gaps and meet growing demand in an uncertain economic climate can’t afford to spend weeks deploying and redeploying CNC machine tending automation,” said Greg Haley, vice president of automation at Ellison Technologies.

“D:PLOY is the perfect software for Ellison’s AutoPilot solution, as it decreases the programming complexity and makes part changeover a snap,” he added. “This puts automated CNC machine tending in reach for more customers than ever, even those with high-mix, low-volume part runs.”

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