Robotic devices are typically used as a cost-effective alternative to repetitive and labor-intensive operations when manufacturing, inspecting, packaging, and transporting products. In most cases, robots use end of arm tool to grip, move, or alter the product.
Having an optimized end of arm tool is critical to maximize operational productivity savings, while eliminating product damage. 3D printing is an effective way to produce durable and customized end of arm tools.
The FDM Solution
Frequently, producing end of arm tools is either time or cost prohibitive. Companies are forced to settle for non-optimized stock tools that are not designed to conform to a product shape. With FDM, end of arm tools are accurately created directly from CAD data in stable, durable, and lightweight thermoplastics.
“With the use of the FDM material, it allows our designers to think outside of the box a little bit more and produce something that’s specific for the application, versus having to design around the manufacturing environment. It allows quite a bit of flexibility.”
– Doug Huston, Technical Advisor, Genesis Systems Group
If you own an FDM machine, you can produce end of arm tooling in-house. If you are new to additive, Purple Porcupine’s 3D printing services can help you produce an end of arm tool quickly and affordably.
Create Cost-Effective, Durable Parts
FDM can increase performance by providing lightweight, low mass tools that decrease process cycle times and increase payload capacity. In addition, FDM allows users to easily adjust tooling components, from the addition of magnets to vacuum ports.
“3D printing allows us to quickly go from design stages to an actual, production-ready part, as fast as possible. It’s much faster than machining and it’s much more cost-effective than getting one injection molded, in the quantities that we deal with.”
– Brett Limone, Robotic Systems Engineer, Robai
Leading companies are utilizing FDM technology to produce end of arm tools optimized for the tasks they perform. All while reducing time, cost, weight, and maximizing robot performance.
To learn more about your tooling options, contact our team by phone at 949.474.9222 or by email at [email protected].