Guillaume Mougin, Product Manager at Portescap, examines how miniature electric motors are improving robotic grippers in pick-and-place applications. Electric grippers have transformed assembly, manufacturing, packaging, and material handling where high speed and precision are essential. Traditionally, pneumatic grippers were the go-to, but electric grippers are now proving more efficient and versatile, especially for applications requiring compact designs and low maintenance costs.
Also read: The cost of compact DC motors: why premium designs can achieve better value
From Pneumatic to Electric Grippers: Meeting Modern Demands
In today’s fast-paced production environments, demands on robots are rising. Operators need robots that deliver precise control, increased intelligence, and additional functionality to handle complex processes effectively. With limited floorspace, compact robots are also essential for maximising productivity. Minimising maintenance costs and energy usage to lower operating expenditures (OPEX) has also become a priority, and electric grippers powered by miniature electric motors are stepping up as the optimal solution over pneumatic designs.
High-Speed Pick-and-Place Performance with Electric Grippers
Pick-and-place robots rely on efficient grippers to achieve low-mix, high-volume automation. For decades, pneumatic designs were favoured, but electric grippers now provide a modern solution with substantial benefits in efficiency, cost optimization, and space saving. Central to these advantages are miniature electric motors, which enable precise grip control, high speeds, and quick acceleration for rapid cycles, increasing productivity.
Precision in Control and Grip Force
Control and grip force are key performance parameters where electric grippers, equipped with miniature electric motors, excel. Electric motors allow for more precise control of position, speed, and torque than pneumatic systems. This advanced control supports complex manufacturing processes, where fragile items may need a light touch, and heavier objects require a firmer grasp. By modulating a motor’s current or voltage, electric grippers offer the flexibility to handle diverse objects and applications with accuracy.
Speed and Consistency: Essential in Automated Systems
Speed and repeatability are crucial in automated systems, especially in high-volume tasks like bin picking. Electric grippers support fast cycle times and accurate repetition, helping to reduce cycle durations and boost productivity. With lower inertia motors, grippers can open and close rapidly for efficient pick-and-place movements. Electric motors also ensure consistent, reliable performance across repeated actions, which is essential for automated processes requiring precise control.
Compact and Space-Saving Design
The complexity of pneumatic systems often adds bulk, as they require compressors, filters, regulators, and valves, taking up valuable space. Electric grippers with miniature motors, however, are designed to offer high torque and efficiency within a small footprint. This compact setup is beneficial for operators looking to save space on the production line, as well as for OEMs aiming to minimise the size of robot designs.
Flexibility for Diverse Robotic Applications
Electric grippers stand out for their flexibility, easily integrating with various control systems, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), microcontrollers, or computers. This adaptability makes electric grippers suited for custom automation setups across multiple industries. Additionally, electric grippers can use motor feedback for grip programming, allowing for greater efficiency and more complex operations in diverse applications.
Energy efficiency is another critical advantage of electric grippers, especially when powered by brushless DC (BLDC) motors. By converting electricity into mechanical energy with minimal loss, BLDC motors significantly reduce energy consumption, lowering facility-wide operating costs. Compared to pneumatic systems, electric grippers also require less maintenance, as they lack additional subsystems, making them simpler and more cost-effective to service, which further reduces OPEX.
Choosing the Right Motor for Electric Grippers
Selecting the right motor is key to maximising the benefits of electric grippers in automated applications. For high-speed, high-torque performance, BLDC motors are ideal, providing reliable, accurate movements. Where space is limited, flat BLDC motors, featuring a low-profile, pancake-shaped design, are well-suited for integration into compact gripper systems. These motors enable OEMs and end users to transition smoothly from pneumatic to electric grippers.
Portescap’s Expertise in Electric Grippers for Robotics
Portescap’s range of Brushless Slotless motors, including Ultra EC™ and Flat BLDC motors, offers high performance for diverse electric gripper applications. With options for windings, gearboxes, hall sensors, and encoders, Portescap’s motors provide precise control, reliability, and suitability for various robotic processes. Specialized materials ensure durability under high duty cycles and extreme conditions. Portescap also offers personalised engineering support, helping OEMs and end users integrate miniature motors effectively for enhanced electric gripper performance.
Electric grippers are advancing the capabilities of pick-and-place robots, enabling precision, efficiency, and cost savings. Portescap’s miniature motors make the transition to electric systems straightforward, ensuring end users can benefit from a compact, customisable, and highly effective robotic gripper solution.
