SCHUNK eGrip is the world’s first fully automatic 3D design tool for additively manufactured gripper fingers. SCHUNK eGrip needs only minimal data for the fully automatic calculation of the optimal 3D contour, pricing, and delivery time. The license-free, browser-based web tool from the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems, SCHUNK reduces the design and ordering time for customized gripper fingers to only 15 minutes.

With the intelligent software, which is available around the clock and doesn’t require a separate CAD program, the user has to upload the workpiece or component as a STEP or STL file and enter additional specific information, such as the weight, installation position of the gripper and finger length. In a few seconds, the user receives a detailed offer containing the 3D contour, the delivery time, and the price. SCHUNK eGrip can quickly calculate even complex geometries. Users can either order the top jaws right away or save the offer and retrieve it later. In addition, the outer contour of the generated assemblies, consisting of the gripper, top jaws and workpiece, can be downloaded in STL format for immediate use in the system design.

Enormous time and cost advantage
The affordable additively manufactured SCHUNK top jaws can be quickly manufactured and are made of lightweight, wear-resistant polyamide 12, in either white or black. For use in pharmaceutical and medical applications, top jaws are also available in FDA-approved polyamide 12. Since polyamide is resistant to chemicals and suitable for use with foods, it can also be reliably used in connection with aggressive media. Due to their low weight, the top jaws are ideal for minimizing cycle times and power consumption of systems; they can also be used with smaller robots or handling systems. In combination with the SCHUNK BSWS quick-change jaw system grippers can be re-equipped for a new parts spectrum within seconds. In the first phase, SCHUNK eGrip top jaws are available for SCHUNK universal grippers PGN-plus 40 to 125 and for SCHUNK small component grippers MPG-plus 20 to 64. Other series are planned.

With the SCHUNK SRM high-performance rotary unit the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems presents a new benchmark in the area of pneumatic rotation. Even the outer features of the unit different from other rotary modules on the market. The most striking features are the low interfering contour, the specially developed internal high-capacity dampers for maximum performance in a compact space and the large center bore for the feed-through of cables, hoses, workpieces or for the use of a camera. The inner workings of the unit are just as impressive: the torque, mass moment of inertia and rotating time of the SRM significantly exceed predecessor, the SCHUNK SRU-plus. In the size 40 version, for example, the torque was increased by 25%. The increased mass moment of inertia is just as impressive: the compact SRM 16, for example, can rotate loads three times higher than the SRU-plus 20. The screw connection pattern of the new high-performance module is accordingly large and robust.

Correspondingly compact, it ensures a customized design at an affordable ratio that is unique for the market. SCHUNK optionally offers an air feed-through for compressed air or gases as well as an electric rotary feed-through for the reliable feed-through of sensor and actuator signals. It also offers the possibility of inductive monitoring. Future versions will feature multiple damping options for high loads, short cycle times in minimal installation space and highly efficient high-speed applications with a maximum number of cycles. An optional pneumatic or locked center position will also be developed. To speed up commissioning, the SRM features a pre-defined shock absorber stroke and fast clamping of the end position. In addition, a marking facilitates setting of the angle of rotation. The SCHUNK SRM is initially available in sizes 16, 32 and 40. Other sizes and options are in development.