OnRobot, makers of plug-and-produce robotics tools for cobots, has released a new compact, large-stroke 3FG15 three-finger gripper that can expertly handle cylindrical objects.

Precision handling of cylindrical parts was previously hard to-automate, but with the new 3FG15, it is now much easier to program and deploy.

The 3FG15 also provides added flexibility, because the gripper easily can be reconfigured for a wide range of part sizes.

“Our new 3FG15 three-finger gripper was developed as a response to existing pneumatic three-finger grippers that are bulkier and less flexible,” says CEO of OnRobot, Enrico Krog Iversen.

“We have long defined the market for electric parallel grippers with the RG2 and RG6 series, and we look forward to addressing new market segments and applications with a new three-finger gripper that allows users to deploy applications faster even with highly accurate, fixed positioning.”

The 3FG15 gripper has a maximum stroke of 150mm that can easily handle multiple processes. The innovative three-finger design with a 15kg payload provides a strong, stable grip for both form fit (internal) or friction fit (external) gripping, adding flexibility to any implementation.

Ideal for CNC machine tending

The gripper’s design, specifically developed for machine-tending tasks, automatically centres workpieces, resulting in a strong, stable grip and precise placement in machine chucks. With a gripping force from 10 N to 240 N, the 3FG15 competes with much less flexible finger grippers.

The gripper is also ideal for packaging and palletising applications, and is seamlessly compatible with any major collaborative or light industrial robot arm.

Key features

• Precise stable grip with automatic centring
• Large 150mm stroke for parts from 20mm to 150mm
• Form fit (internal) and friction fit (external) gripping
• 15kg payload
• Weight 1.3kg, gripping force 10-240 N
• Fast, flexible deployment

Growing market

According to Global Market Insights, the global robot End of Arm Tooling (EoAT) market was worth more than US$2.5 billion in 2018, with a projected CAGR of 14 per cent from 2019 to 2025.

Key factors driving growth include increasing adoption of robots for machine tending, welding and others.

The EoAT market in Asia Pacific, excluding Japan, (APEJ) has been growing exponentially as developing countries transform their industrial landscape with emerging technologies. In 2018, APEJ EoAT sales accounted for over 51 per cent of the global market.

McKinsey notes that automation and AI present an enormous opportunity for national and personal income growth and could add up to $4 trillion to the Australian economy.

James Taylor, General Manager, APAC at OnRobot, said: “Australia continues to be an important market for OnRobot as we see growing investment in robotic automation and a greater push by the government to encourage adoption.

“We are expanding our portfolio of products to provide manufacturers a wide range of automation solutions that not only offers flexibility and increased production efficiency, but also easy deployment and a quick return on investment”.