Table of Contents

Two Jaw parallel Pneumatic Gripper Mechanical Project

SYNOPSIS

A pneumatic gripper is a specific type of pneumatic actuator that typically involves either parallel or angular motion of surfaces, A.K.A. “tooling jaws or fingers” that will grip an object. When combined with other pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic components, the gripper can be used as part of a “pick and place” system that will allow a component to be picked up and placed somewhere else as part of a manufacturing system.

The technology of pneumatics has gained tremendous importance in the field of workplace rationalization and automation from old-fashioned timber works and coal mines to modern machine shops and space robots. Certain characteristics of compressed air have made this medium quite suitable for used in modern manufacturing and production industries. It is therefore important that technicians and engineers should have a good knowledge of pneumatic system, air operated valves and accessories.

INTRODUCTION

A pneumatic system consists of a compressor plant, pipe lines, control valves, drive members and related auxiliary appliances. The air is compressed in an air compressor and from the compressor plant the flow medium is transmitted to the pneumatic cylinder through a well laid pipe line system. To maintain optimum efficiency of pneumatic system, it is of vital importance that pressure drop between generation and consumption of compressed air is kept very low. Pneumatic material handling system is used to move the components from one place to another with a maximum weight of 3.5 kg. It is used in the following places:

Need for gripper:

• Reduction of lab our and material cost
• Reduction of overall cost
• Increased production
• Increased storage capacity
• Increased safety
• Reduction in fatigue
• Improved personnel comfort

WORKING PRINCIPLE

The experimental setup consist of two cylinders, all are of double acting type. The cylinder1 is used to actuate one gripper mechanism of one side Arm. Similarly the cylinder2 is used to actuate another gripper mechanism of remaining side Arm. The hand liver valve is used to activate the two parallel gripper mechanism by connecting compressed air supply.

Two Jaw parallel Pneumatic Gripper Mechanical Project

APPLICATIONS

Discharge of work piece
The arm feed has a wide application in low cost automation industries. It can be used in automated assembly lines to pick up the finished product from workstation and place them in bins. it can also be used to pick raw material and place them on the conveyor belts.

Work clamping
This unit can also be used in clamping. Operation in certain areas of mass production where clamping and an clamping have to be done at high speeds. The application of these units is limited to operations which involved moderate clamping forces.

Tool Changing Application
When the pneumatic arms are made smaller in size they can be used in automatic tool changes in CNC turning and drilling machines, by attaching tool holding device to the rotary cylinder

ADVANTAGES

The pneumatic arm is more efficient in the technical field
Quick response is achieved
Simple in construction
Easy to maintain and repair
Cost of the unit is less when compared to other robotics
No fire hazard problem due to over loading
Comparatively the operation cost is less
The operation of arm is faster because the medium used to operate is air
Continuous operation is possible without stopping

LIMITATIONS

While working, the compressed air produces noise therefore a silencer may be used.
High torque can not be obtained
Load carrying capacity of this unit is not very high.(<50 N)