Contrinex’s Tiny 4mm x 4mm x 11mm MiniDist Brut Photoelectric Module is Ideal for ??Robot Grippers??

A challenge for robots working in complex assembly areas is avoiding collisions between the gripper and its surroundings, such as parts of the assembly jig. This application is an automated electronic assembly cell, where space is at a premium and the robot has to operate in a congested area, populated with other assembly and material handling equipment.

A small robot with a multi-finger gripper is used as a tender to transfer parts from an assembly area to an end-of-line test machine. A risk was identified that in the event of a malfunction in other equipment or an unplanned human intervention, the robot gripper could collide with other pieces of assembly equipment. The system designers wanted an overriding anti-collision system to prevent a collision causing damage to the robot or more likely some of the other more delicate elements of the test or assembly equipment.

CUSTOMER APPLICATION

In a manufacturing cell, robotic handling systems manipulate electromechanical sub-assemblies, presenting them for automated testing. The part is transported by a small robot with a compact multi-finger gripper, whose patch is programmed according to the geometry of both the parts and the production equipment.

As the products being manufactured change with design revisions or new variants are added, or if other equipment is accidentally moved or fails, there is a risk of collisions between the robot and its surroundings.

To remove the risk of damage to a robot gripper or the assembly infrastructure, a collision avoidance system was sought by the designers of the robotic system. The engineers wanted to implement hardware anti-collision measures rather than change the robot’s software or programming and so looked for a sensor-based system.

CUSTOMER SOLUTION

Contrinex’s MiniDist Brut photoelectric modules offered a small, reliable and cost-effective means of fitting a measuring system into the grippers themselves. These miniature diffuse distance measuring sensor modules are embedded in the outward-facing surfaces of the gripper jaws to monitor the proximity of obstructions in real time when transporting parts between operations.

MiniDist Brut sensors are designed with the needs of OEMs and system integrators in mind to provide an unobtrusive fit-and-forget solution. The miniature devices weigh as little as 3.1 grams for the bare PCB unit, which has a compact 4.5mm x 4mm x 11mm envelope. The sister version in a plastic housing is still very small at only 6mm x 5mm x 18mm.

With sensing distances of up to 35mm, MiniDist Brut devices offer designers highly versatile options when specifying equipment, especially for integration in tight spaces with insufficient room for traditional sensors. An industry-standard PNP and analogue voltage output ensure optimum flexibility, with an output range of 0.3V to 3V and in-situ adjustment between 1 to 25mm making the unit easy to integrate. The modules are supplied with a 2m 4-wire PVC-sheathed cable, which was cut to length and wired to a connection in the wrist of the robot.

The miniature sensors provide reliable and inobtrusive operation whilst preventing accidents and maintaining the production throughput without compromising the safety of people or equipment around it.

PRODUCT ADVANTAGES

?? Smaller and 1/3rd the weight of a ￡1 coin - 4 x 4 x 11mm, 3.1 grams

?? Diffuse photoelectric measurement sensor available as a bare unit or module

??? Long 35mm sensing range

?? High-precision measurement - 3.6 μm sensing resolution

?? Exceptional vibration resistance

??? Wide temperature range -25°C to +65°C

??? IO-Link – Easy integration to the PLC, ideal for Industry 4, and offering Plug and Play swap-out

Click to download a flyer to find out more about Contrinex’s Robot Gripper sensors or Click to download Contrinex’s Product Overview brochure

Call us on 0121 58 222 58 or email [email protected] to discuss Smart sensors, or how PLUS Automation Ltd can help you #MakeSenseofSensors using ??Inductive, ??Machine Safety, ??Photoelectric, ???Pressure, ??Process, ??RFID and ??Ultrasonic sensors from CONTRINEX, ReeR & SATRON.

With over 2,000 sensors in UK stock, supported by stock held in Europe and short manufacturing lead times, we'd welcome the opportunity to talk with you about improving your automation and machine performance or reducing your costs.