Pneumatic tool changers fail safely
An
AGI - American Grippers product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Apr 12, 2005
The AGI robotic tool changer provides the flexibility to automatically change end-effectors or other peripheral tooling.
The AGI robotic tool changer provides the flexibility to automatically change end-effectors or other peripheral tooling.
The products are designed to function reliably for millions of cycles at rated load while maintaining extremely high repeatability.
Typically when robotic tool changers are required is when changing multiple end effectors, as part of improving production cycle in a given cell.
A robot will use a gripper to pick up and position a part, after that it exchanges the gripper for a grinder.
When the grinder is complete, the robot drops off the tool and reattaches the gripper, so it can remove the piece from its fixture and pick up another part.
Another common application is where a robot uses a single end effector for a given product run, only changing out end effectors when the product changes.
In some product lines are changing every couple of hours, so tool changers can both cut costs and increase throughput.
Routine maintenance is another application in which tool changers help reduces the down time.
The tool changer justifies its expense because end effectors can be swapped out in a matter of seconds, as opposed to hours so production can continue.
Safety is key in any factory environment.
AGI's pneumatic tool changers are equipped with a fail safe locking mechanism that will not drop a part even if air pressure fails.
The locking mechanism relies on a pneumatically driven piston that forces three cam fingers into a steel ring in the tool-side piece, both locking it in place and clamping the two pieces together.
The cam geometry ensures the robot- and tool-side do not come apart in the event of lost air pressure.
The robotic tool changer provides the flexibility to automatically change grippers or other peripheral end-effector tooling.
AGI offers seven different sizes of tool-changers, ranging from 1in diameter for lab use to 10in diameter.
They can handle high load capacities up to 6000in-lbs and a repeatability of +0.01.
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