The impression that automatica has just given is accurate. After just one year, the trade fair organizer is reconnecting the biggest names of the automation industry and establishing a new rhythm: automatica will now be held in years with odd numbers. Schmalz will benefit from this change because he has been busy over the past year and has various ideas to share that don’t necessarily include the gripper.
The Schmalz Connect Suite
With the Schmalz Solution Kit, Schmalz leaves the level of components and end effectors. The flexible technology platform connects various software and hardware components so that robotic cells can see, grip and communicate with higher-level systems more quickly.
The key component here is the open bin-picking operating system ivOS. It is not the first product to focus on the process. With the Schmalz Connect Suite, also part of the trade show portfolio, intelligent Schmalz products as well as IO-Link components from other manufacturers can be centrally parameterized, managed and analyzed.
From sparking vacuum generators and efficient grippers
A look at the four robot cells at the booth reveals new features for automated gripping and vacuum generation. The SCTSi compact terminal now also communicates wirelessly with the PLC via IO-Link Wireless. This saves on cabling and reduces installation costs. In addition, the efficient GCPi compact pump with LQEi compact valve and the powerful RECBi are both purely electrical and pneumatic vacuum generators.
The revised design of the lightweight layer gripper ZLW with its rounded plastic frame is striking. This makes the gripper even more suitable for use in MRC environments. A completely new gripping concept is demonstrated by the technology study of the Schmalz Eco-Gripper.
Digital services and the integrated gripper segmentation
Everyone knows the “suction cup” principle – only Schmalz safeguards it: sensors monitor the vacuum, and a small vacuum generator kicks in if a leakage occurs. With smooth, suction tight surfaces, the energy requirement is thus zero. The new FEL area gripper is a specialist for screen production. It is used where space is limited and the gripper has to be as low-profile as possible. Another highlight is the integrated gripper segmentation. This allows individual zones to be switched on and controlled.
The highlight of the digital services is the new PXT configurator. Thanks to its modular concept, the modular gripper system is predestined for various and changing handling tasks. Now users can configure their own gripper from various components – and get their flexible, high-quality gripper even faster.
Digital in manual
Even though automatica focuses on the key technologies of industrial automation, Schmalz will also present innovations for manual handling. Because here, too, digitalization is leaving its mark – in the form of the Schmalz Application Assistant on the JumboFlex or the digital product file.
Schmalz at automatica 2023: Hall A5, Booth 303
