End of Arm Tooling Types

Robotic grippers and other end of arm tooling types are an essential part automation systems. With industrial and collaborative robots taking huge steps forward in terms of technology, engineers and designers are developing innovative end of arm tooling to keep up with the ever growing list of tasks robots are being asked to do. Take a look at some of the examples below to help find the right option that meets your needs.  

What Is End of Arm Tooling for Robots?

End of arm tooling, which is commonly known as end effectors, are specific devices that are attached to the end of a robot arm which come in many shapes and forms. They make it easier for your robot to interact with the environment and do the work necessary to benefit from the robot application.

Since the end of arm tooling (EOAT) is the interface between the wrist of the robot and the work being performed, it is often the case that the tooling needs to be customized to accommodate the specific application. The goal is speed and accuracy, so having the proper set up at end of your robot arm can make the difference in a project being successful or not.

Popular Types of EOAT in Robot Applications

There are several popular types of EOAT in robot applications including:

• Grippers: Tools mounted on the end of your robot that help you grip a workpiece or object.
• Welding Torches: Used to join metal together using arc or spot welding processes that is precise, safe and efficient.
• Force-Torque Sensors: Allows a robot to perform force sensitive tasks to prevent damage to the workpiece or other variables in the environment.
• Material Removal Tools: Rotary or vibratory tools used to remove material from your workpiece.
• Tool Changers: Multiple applications for a single robot often requires the tooling to be changed frequently via manual or pneumatic tool changers.
• Rotary Attachments: You can take advantage of rotary attachments, which can help you provide rotational force to the workpiece you are working on.

You should work with an expert who can guide you on the right end of arm tooling for your robot.

How End of Arm Tooling Can Affect Application

A few examples of how changes to the end of arm tooling can affect the performance:

• Changing the size, shape or number of cups in vacuum tooling can change the maximum weight to be lifted or surface area needed to lift an object.
• Reducing the overall weight of the tooling can allow the robot arm to accelerate faster, speeding the cycle times up.
• Altering or customizing the tools on the end of your robot can make it easier for you to manufacture certain components.
• Selecting soft grippers can allow the robot to pick variable objects making the application very flexible.
• Materials and power types of the tooling can be specifically chosen to meet the needs in clean room or food and beverage industry.

As you can see from the examples above, not only the type of tooling that is chosen, but the nuances and specifics of how the tooling is designed can have a huge impact on the success of the project. It is best to work directly with an expert to help select and customize the tooling to your specific needs.  

GripShape for Your EOAT Needs

If you are looking for help with end of arm tooling, then you need to work with a professional team that can help you get the most out of your robot. That is where we can assist you. We are GripShape, and we have access to a wide variety of tools you can use to help your robot excel. We will meet with you personally, customizing your robot end of arm tooling to meet your needs. Our team of experts have years of specialized experience in gripping applications and can help you turn your automation project into  a success. Give us a call today to discuss your application!