Automated gripper set for handling and assembly systems

Parallel, three-point, radial and angle DHxS grippers from Festo are designed for handling and assembly systems and have gripping force retention and overload protection for safety.

March 23, 2012

The parallel, three-point, radial and angle standard grippers, DHxS, from Festo are compact and offer reliability in the gripping process. Standard grippers are the first choice for cost-effective, lightweight and compact construction of handling and assembly systems. The parallel, three-point, radial and angle gripper series DHxS from Festo features optimized gripping force retention and overload protection as well as integrated sensor slots. It offers increased reliability in a range of sizes and stroke lengths.

A number of features ensure reliability and precision. The integrated fixed restrictor provides an effective safety buffer, protecting against overloading during high-speed gripper motions and preventing damage due to excessive forces. The integrated sensor slots in the medium and large sizes offer the advantage of cost-effective stroke sensing via sensors SMx. Their successful integration has resulted in a slim, compact design without any interference contours caused by external sensors. The new, compression spring-assisted gripping force retention provides more security in the event of a pressure failure. In addition, T-slot guides increase the torque resistance of the gripper jaws.

The double-acting piston drive gives the standard grippers stable kinematics and maximum repetition accuracy. A wide range of mounting options in the form of threaded, fitting and centering holes make the new generation of Festo standard grippers very flexible to mount. 

The parallel and three-point grippers DHxS have a lightweight aluminum housing with integrated receiving hole for the pneumatic piston. The force generated by the linear motion is transferred to the low-backlash gripper jaws by means of lever kinematics. Since the lever is indirectly in mesh with the two gripper jaws via a piston rod, there is no need for additional synchronization.

The pneumatic pistons of the double-acting DHxS radial and angle grippers act on the gripper jaws, mounted on pivots in a gripper jaw guide, by means of a slotted guide system. As with parallel and three-point grippers, this means that there is no need for separate synchronization.

Festo

www.festo.com 

– Edited by Chris Vavra, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com 

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