February 10, 2011 - AGS announces a needle gripper (end of arm tool) is with a corresponding lifting unit that grasps firmly and conveys flexible materials such as cloth, fabric, leather or foam to their further processing station or their destination. In the automobile industry, the module can be used for instance to apply fabrics as cladding to the ABC pillars. Carpet sections for the aeronautical industry are grasped and transported to the appropriate place. The group grasps insulation elements and insulating materials equally securely.
Grasping in various different positions
The needle stroke is precisely adjustable in order to grasp a piece of textile from a pile. The needle position is also retrievable. This means that grasping may be performed in different positions – up to a width of 40 millimetres. Gripping is performed in contrary motion. The needle gripper may be positioned such that the materials, such as fabric for example, do not slip from the needles owing to the normal flaccidity.
The needles are highly wear-resistant and identical to those used in industrial sewing processes. The needle gripper is hollow to allow it to dip from above through the rod of the magazine containing fabric for example. A brass guide bush is located inside. Since this bush is exposed to a high level of wear owing to the constant upwards and downwards travel, it may be easily replaced and the entire gripper remains serviceable for a longer period.
Various different standard strokes adjustable
Due to the different requirements during the admission and insertion phase, the needle gripper can be combined with several lifting units. This is necessary, as the fabric must be either tensed or relaxed. These can work in conjunction with one another by means of two axes for example. Widths of fabric are tensed or relaxed on the X axis. The material arrives in the final insertion position over the Y axis.
Both axes can be switched free of pressure and the position can be queried. The entire lifting unit is adjustable as desired using the stop and has various different standard strokes of 25 to 200 mm. Furthermore, a sensor provides precise information concerning the position of the unit and determines whether the latter is retracted or extended. The gripper and lifting unit are connected by means of the PreciGrip prism system developed by AGS. As clamping is always performed against 90 degrees, the module consequently achieves markedly greater stability than with the conventional round clamping.
Three different variants are available for incorporating the module in the system: likewise by means of prism clamps, round clamps or by an additional mounting part.
