Safer human-robot interaction

For a long time now it has been impossible to imagine everyday industrial work without robots. In the future, more and more people will collaborate with robots directly or have their work supported by these machines.

Ensuring maximum safety for this human-robot collaboration (HRC) requires special robots and adapted handling components. Stringent requirements are placed on the robots themselves as well as on the robot tools used. This motivated the engineers at Zimmer Group to develop the GEH6060IL gripper series, one of the world's first mechatronic parallel grippers, which was optimised specifically for human-robot collaboration.

The GEH6060IL gripper series was designed in accordance with BG/DGUV recommendations and fulfils the current specifications, which have been summarised in the ISO technical specification for safety requirements in human-robot collaboration (ISO/TS15066).

For example, the new grippers have no sharp edges and are designed with a rounded shape on all sides, so as to practically rule out any chance of getting caught accidentally. To prevent crushing injuries from occurring, a mechanical gripping force limiter has also been integrated into the intermediate jaws. This ensures that the gripper fingers disconnect from the gripper automatically when a defined force is exceeded, reliably protecting people in the working area of the robot.

Unlike other systems available on the market, this function is completely reversible and can be used repeatedly. After the safety function is triggered, the gripper returns to the initial state and can be used immediately after the released gripper fingers are locked in again.

This function, in combination with an integrated safety-torque-off function, provides maximum safety in every application.

The GEH6060IL gripper series is equipped with a brushless, electronically commutated DC motor, which is virtually unaffected by wear and thus offers excellent operating safety.

The grippers are equipped with an integrated control system and, thanks to the IO-Link connection, are very easy to put into operation. The data setting can either be entered manually or taught in. It can be saved centrally and transferred very easily to devices with the same function. This leads to substantial time savings during commissioning.

Actuators and sensors can be replaced while operation is in progress – and because the data can be transferred to the new devices quickly and without error, maximum machine availability is ensured.

The grippers provide a maximum working stroke of 2x40mm; the gripping force can be controlled in a broad range and, depending on the version, extends from 45N to 950N.

ZIMMER GROUP www.zimmer-group.de/en

Company

Zimmer Group

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