The pneumatic shaft manipulator is an automated device that combines pneumatic shaft and manipulator technology. It is mainly used for the grabbing, handling, loading and unloading and precise positioning of coils (such as film, paper, cloth, metal foil, etc.). Its core feature is to quickly clamp and release the inner hole of the coil through the expansion and contraction of the pneumatic shaft, and use the flexible movement of the manipulator to complete the automated operation. It is widely used in printing, packaging, textile, lithium battery manufacturing and other industries.
Core components
Pneumatic shaft module
Pneumatic shaft: through inflation (usually 0.5-0.7MPa air pressure), the rubber airbag or key strip on the outer wall is raised and fits tightly with the inner hole of the coil; after deflation, it shrinks to facilitate the quick release of the coil.
Air system: including rotary joints (to ensure air tightness during rotation), solenoid valves, air pressure sensors, etc., to control the inflation and deflation actions.
Manipulator module
Robotic arm: multi-joint design, to achieve multi-degree-of-freedom movement, precise positioning of the coil.
End effector: integrated pneumatic shaft, may be attached with grippers or suction cups to assist in fixing the coil.
Drive system: servo motor or pneumatic drive to ensure stability and repeatability (within ±0.1mm).
Control system
PLC or industrial robot controller to coordinate the inflation and deflation of the air shaft and the movement of the manipulator, and support interlocking with the production line.
Workflow
Locate the coil: the manipulator moves to the position of the coil to be grabbed, and the air shaft is inserted into the inner hole of the coil.
Clamp the coil: inflate the air shaft to fix the inner hole of the coil.
Transport/positioning: the manipulator transports the coil to the target position (such as a printing press, slitting machine).
Release the coil: deflate and shrink the air shaft, the manipulator withdraws, and the placement is completed.
Advantages
Efficient: eliminate the traditional bolt fixing step, and the loading and unloading time is shortened by more than 70%.
Non-destructive grabbing: the airbag is evenly stressed to avoid scratching the inner wall of the coil.
Wide adaptability: compatible with different coils by changing the specifications of the air shaft (such as 1.5″-12″ inner diameter). Automation integration: can be matched with vision system or force sensor to realize unmanned production.
Typical application scenarios
Printing industry: automatic replacement of printing rollers or winding and unwinding of coils.
Lithium battery production: handling and changing of electrode coils.
Film slitting: unloading and stacking of finished film rolls.
Textile industry: automated storage and handling of cloth rolls.
