Smart Gripping Systems for the Smart Factory: SCHUNK

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2018-07-03 11:11:00

A few years ago, it was barely conceivable – tomorrow it will be the norm: at the Automatica in Munich, SCHUNK dared a hitherto unique projection of the world of gripping in front of an amazed audience from all around the world. The smart SCHUNK gripping systems have as little in common with the grippers of yesterday as the antique dial telephone set does with the modern smartphone.

The new gripper world consequently has a very simple, digital and unagitated demeanor. Where safety fences and glass panes would otherwise have blocked their view, trade fair visitors today courageously intervene in the ongoing process. The fear of high-tech systems that was very real only a few years ago has given way to curiosity: as a matter of course, trade fair visitors interact with the moving exhibits, test their limits and get caught up in the excitement of the possibilities of digitalization. What appears playful has a very real background: "We are convinced that industrial grippers will change radically in the years to come", CEO Henrik A. Schunk highlights. "Smart grippers will interact with users and their surroundings; they will continuously record surroundings and process data and develop the respective gripping strategy independently in complex surroundings – faster and more flexible than humans could ever do." The numerous trade fair applications delivered a specific taster.

Open for every robot, every interface, and every cloud

Instead of separation, SCHUNK consistently relies on the openness of its components and systems: each robot and each cloud are to be compatible with the smart SCHUNK gripping systems, as was the announced objective. These, in turn, will be increasingly in a position to record process data, systematically evaluate it in real time and pass it onto the plant control system, cloud solutions or directly to other components. In so doing, the competence leader for gripping systems and clamping technology uses its interdisciplinary knowledge to create additional synergies: the SCHUNK gripper has barely detected the component before the SCHUNK clamping force block individually adapts its parameters accordingly. On the dashboard, the operator can monitor all process steps, evaluate definable time frames and query condition data of the affected components.

The fact that SCHUNK is expanding the possibilities to the world of system and plant design is more than consistent. An OEM partnership with Siemens PLM Software, that was announced at the AUTOMATICA, will allow designers to immediately make the transition into the world of simulation of handling solutions. With this in mind, SCHUNK has put together an attractive starter kit made up of the mechatronics concept designer from Siemens PLM software, a component library of digital twins from SCHUNK and corresponding support. Furthermore, SCHUNK alleviates the design process with new 3D configurators, intelligent CAD models and design and selection tools. The SCHUNK 3D printing service for gripping system and clamping technology components is giving designers additional flexibility by being able to additively produce individually designed adapter plates, devices, protective covers or function-integrated components made of polyamide, aluminum or stainless steel (1.4404) in high-quality and precise machine design quality.

Expert talk with igus, KUKA and SAP provides overview of the interconnected world

SCHUNK shed light on the opportunities linked to the digitalization of the industry in the technology goalkeeper expert talk on the topic of "Open. Future Technology in a Connected World". Moderated by Jessica Libbertz together with SCHUNK brand ambassador Jens Lehmann, Frank Blase (CEO igus), Dr. Bernd Liepert (Chief Innovation Officer KUKA), Anja Schneider (Global Vice President, Head of Strategy & Customer Innovation SAP Deutschland) and Henrik A. Schunk (CEO SCHUNK) discussed the current challenges on the road to the digital factory. In so doing, it became clear that the increasingly close interplay between humans and robots requires the standards and regulations, when it comes to the designing of workstations, but also in schools and training centers, to be redefined.

Robots as assistants

From Frank Blase's perspective, robotics and artificial intelligence offer the opportunity that there will be no more boring jobs in the future. He assumes that automated work is about to explode. While before it was a case of replacing jobs with robots, the collaboration with robots and their function as assistants are primarily in focus today, the group summarized. Here, cultural differences for instance between Europe and Asia must certainly be identified and queried. From Dr. Bernd Liepert's perspective, it is a case of not losing sight of the thirst for knowledge when it comes to classic topics such as mechatronics and lightweight construction despite artificial intelligence and digitalization.

With respect to data and data security, Anja Schneider indicated that the recording of as much data as possible would not bring any results on its own. It is much more a case of intelligently filtering the data in order to be able derive approaches from the results. It is imperative that all data remains within the company and that it is clarified where the possible entry points for data misuse are. According to Henrik A. Schunk, the simplicity of the systems and the simple integration of the components eliminate fears and contribute to the fact that robots are increasingly being perceived as assistants. In his opinion, modern technologies offer the chance for a new productivity boost. Jens Lehmann also highlighted the significance of data: data is an integral component of professional sport today. "Athletes are always being exposed", says the world-class goalkeeper. For Henrik Schunk, the accumulation of data is never an end in itself: "It's not about the collection of data per se, but the aim of generating better business for the customer along the value creation chain." This is precisely where SCHUNK seeks to offer added value with its smart gripping systems.

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