Sponge vacuum suction cup manipulator refers to an automated system that uses a sponge vacuum suction cup as an end effector (or gripping tool) installed on an industrial manipulator (such as a collaborative robot, a palletizing robot, a truss robot, etc.). This combination greatly expands the application scope of the manipulator in the field of automated handling.
Working principle
The working principle of the sponge vacuum suction cup manipulator is:
Manipulator positioning: The manipulator moves to the top of the workpiece to be grasped, and places the sponge vacuum suction cup at the end steadily on the surface of the workpiece.
Vacuum adsorption: The vacuum generator (or vacuum pump) starts to evacuate, and negative pressure is generated inside the sponge suction cup.
Sponge compensation: Due to its softness and elasticity, the sponge pad can deform and fill the unevenness, roughness, bumps or pores on the surface of the workpiece to form a relatively airtight adsorption area.
Stable grasping: The external atmospheric pressure presses the workpiece firmly against the sponge suction cup to achieve stable grasping. Usually, a check valve or other structure is designed inside the suction cup to ensure that the overall adsorption force is still reliable even if some areas leak.
Manipulator handling: After the workpiece is adsorbed, the manipulator moves it to the target position according to the preset program.
Release the workpiece: By stopping the vacuum or filling the suction cup with positive pressure (blowing), the vacuum state is destroyed and the workpiece is separated from the suction cup.
Main features and advantages
The sponge vacuum suction cup manipulator combines the advantages of the manipulator and the sponge suction cup:
1. Super strong workpiece adaptability:
It can efficiently transport workpieces with uneven, rough, concave and convex surfaces, pores, strong air permeability or irregular shapes, which is a task that traditional flat suction cups cannot accomplish.
No need for precise positioning: The flexibility of the sponge makes it less demanding on the gripping position and angle of the workpiece than the hard suction cup, which improves the fault tolerance of the gripping.
Strong versatility: A sponge suction cup system may be able to handle products of various sizes and shapes, reducing the need for frequent replacement of fixtures.
2. Protect the surface of the workpiece: The sponge pad is soft, and the pressure generated when it contacts the workpiece is evenly distributed, which can effectively reduce or avoid suction marks, scratches or indentations on the surface of sensitive workpieces such as glass, LCD panels, and automotive sheet metal parts.
3. High efficiency and automation: Realize automated grabbing, handling and placement, significantly improve production efficiency, especially in handling operations with high repetitiveness and high physical exertion.
Shorten production cycle and reduce manual intervention.
4. Reduce labor intensity and improve safety: Free workers from heavy, repetitive or dangerous handling tasks, greatly reducing physical labor intensity and occupational disease risks.
Reduce manual operation errors, reduce the risk of workpiece damage and personal injury.
5. Flexible integration: It can be easily installed on various types of industrial manipulators (such as 6-axis robots, collaborative robots, gantry robots, palletizing robots, power manipulators, etc.).
Easy to integrate with existing production lines, conveyor belts, packaging equipment, etc. to build a complete automation solution.
Typical application scenarios
Sponge vacuum suction cup manipulators are widely used in the following industries and scenarios:
Packaging industry: Palletizing and depalletizing corrugated boxes, plastic bagged products, multi-layer cartons, etc., which often have uneven surfaces or gaps.
Wood processing: Handling rough wood boards, plywood, density boards, etc., which can be effectively adsorbed even if there are sawdust or uneven surfaces.
Building materials industry: Grasping and handling cement boards, bricks, stones, tiles, etc., which usually have rough surfaces and may be porous.
Home appliance manufacturing: Handling large, surface-sensitive or curved parts such as refrigerator doors, washing machine shells, and TV back panels.
Automobile manufacturing: Grasping and handling stamped sheet metal parts, interior parts, glass, etc., need to avoid surface damage.
Glass processing: Especially for various types of glass products that are textured, frosted, or require seamless handling.
Photovoltaic industry: Handling photovoltaic panels, because they are fragile and may have large surfaces.
Logistics warehousing: Quickly and flexibly grasp and sort various packages and package piles.
New energy field: Handling of battery cells, battery modules, pole pieces, etc. due to their surface characteristics or large size.
The sponge vacuum suction cup manipulator is an indispensable tool in modern automated production lines. It overcomes the limitations of traditional vacuum suction cups through a unique adsorption mechanism and shows excellent performance in handling irregular, rough, breathable or fragile workpieces. With the in-depth development of industrial automation and intelligent manufacturing, its application prospects will be broader.
