As per the dictionary, the term effector represents a body part that becomes vigorous in response to a stimulus. In robotics, on the other hand, an end effector is a gadget at the end or a robotic arm designed to grip objects.
The end effector also called the end-of-arm-tooling, rests at the end of a robotic arm and only moves when a manual operated triggers it via the linked software.
In other words, the end effector picks and places items, assembles the item pieces as well as stacks cartons and parcels. Of course, a task can’t be mechanized and optimized without a robotic arm. However, it’s an end effector that allows a robot to execute its functions.
Consider a robot arm equal to a human arm and the robot end effector similar to a human hand. The arm can rotate, but it’s no good without the hand, and the same applies to end effectors and robotic arms. The selection of an end effector mainly depends on the task being executed; as a result, there are different end effectors for other tasks.
What Should You Consider When Buying A Robotic End Effector?
By having the correct end effector, a robot can function as planned, resulting in more production and sales as well as happy staff, satisfied clients, and a faster ROI (return on investment). Illustrated below are some factors to consider when picking an end effector.
Additional Components – You will also need to consider if the end effector you pick requires auxiliary parts. These parts offer the end effector more flexibility. Some of the most popular auxiliary parts include:
- Grippers
- Magnets
- Power Grips
- Vacuum cups
- Welding guns
End effectors can execute a broad range of tasks in the automation sector. However, to identify the most appropriate EOAT for your tasks, you need to consider the items the robotic arm needs to grip, the transfer speed, and the amount of space available. It’s also important to consider if the items the end effector will grip are delicate, too big, or unevenly shaped.
Cost – Don’t forget to consider your budget limits when picking your preferred robot EOAT. The cost of the end effector is dependent on a couple of variables such as brand, payload, and size.
So prior to committing yourself, carry out some research on a couple of alternatives available and pick the one you can afford. However, you need to ensure your pick is efficient.
Cycle Time – Another vital factor to keep in mind when picking an end effector is the cycle time. An EOAT’s cycle time is articulated in strokes per minute relating to the number of items stamped per minute in the press room.
Industry-grade body shops utilize end effectors to finish pieces by executing the motions or tasks that the system can execute. For instance, a typical transfer press works at a rate of 15 to 22 strokes per minute.
Therefore, boosting the effectiveness of the system configuration can help increase the strokes per minute achieved by the press.
Payload/ Weight – It’s crucial to consider the payloads of the products that need shifting when picking an end effector. In addition, when working in an environment where a robot must journey long distances, the weight of the EOAT (end-of-arm tooling) is also vital.
For the EOAT to function efficiently, it must be feasible, light, and resilient enough to handle all tasks. In addition, it must endure several cycles without malfunctioning to ensure there are no skids, performance degradation, and pulsations.
Material handling tasks will evaluate the load and size of an object when determining whether automated grippers or vacuum clamps are the ideal picks.
The setting of the End Effector Operation – Prior to picking your preferred end effector, understand the operating setting. The operation of most robotic dependent part-gripping systems is in two distinct kinds of environments composed of body and press shops.
Shape and Size of Items – The size and shape of the items you need your end effector to handle and move is a massive element on your chosen method. The fragility, shape, and size of components have varying limits with regard to the robotic tooling used to make them.
Tooling Length – The tooling length of the end-effector needed to finish necessary tasks will also impact the choice of the EOAT most suitable for the task at hand. A robotic arm is most efficient when it can cover the largest distance.
The objective is to maintain the end effector’s appropriate amount of offset load as low as possible. Maintaining the end-effectors tooling length as brief as possible is ideal for deflection reduction leading to enhanced mechanized rhythm and a more efficient flow.
Applications of End Effectors
Pick & Place – Pick and place tasks involve picking and placing an item in a different location. These types of jobs require ultimate accuracy and the ability to carefully handle the item regardless of how delicate it is or the material it’s made out of.
Machine Tending – Machine tending tasks involve supervising a robot as it executes its responsibilities as well as loading and unloading robots. However, it can also comprise blow-off, cleaning, part examination, sorting, and packaging.
Packaging & Palletizing – Packaging and palletizing tasks include exact, high-speed assembly, item loading, pallet forming, etc. This is a very challenging part of the production because it requires products to be handled quickly but with the utmost care, especially the fragile ones.
Quality Testing & Inspection – A consistent force should be applied to all products when specific items are tested. This kind of exactness that requires the same pressure and tension is not reasonable to demand from manual operators but can be easily achieved using a robot end effector.
Exterior Finishing – Exterior finishing is a task that needs flexibility. It’s one of the messier processes in the production line, making it ideal for mechanization. The exterior finishing processes that a robot can handle efficiently include buffing, polishing, and sanding.
The tasks can be executed on various materials such as carbon fiber, marble, metal, plastic, and wood.
Final Thought
A robot end-effector is a crucial part of any robot, especially the modern ones. Robots cannot achieve their intended purpose of mechanizing tasks without the ideal end effectors.
As a result, it’s fundamental to identify the most appropriate end effector for your robotic system in order to get a positive effect on the general effectiveness.