Consistent results thanks to controlled gripping force

Whether fragile, brittle or delicate: when handling sensitive workpieces, pneumatic gripping systems quickly reach their limits. Adjusting the force via operating pressure is too imprecise to ensure error-free handling on the one hand and to prevent damage to the object being gripped on the other. Mechatronic gripping modules from Weiss Robotics offer an interesting alternative here.

Unlike pneumatic gripping modules, electric gripping modules allow the gripping force to be better adapted to the object being handled. Conventional electric grippers often use simple current control of the drive motor for this purpose, which limits the winding current and thus the torque of the drive. However, adjusting the gripping force solely via the motor current has significant drawbacks. This is because, in order to set a specific gripping force, the user must take into account influencing factors such as gripping speed, lubrication condition, temperature, batch variation or ageing. Furthermore, a current limitation that is independent of movement has a negative effect on dynamics and, consequently, on the achievable cycle times.