Pneumatic Gripper Flocking Coating for Delicate Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripper systems, whether suction grippers or gripping tongs, are limited in handling objects susceptible to breakage and deformation, and often damage the object's surface due to direct contact with gripping elements, leaving marks or residues.
Innovation Solution
The gripper features flocking on its gripping elements, particularly fiber filaments made of polyamide, viscose, or polyester, which protrude perpendicularly from the surface to gently grip objects and prevent surface damage or residue marks, with the flocking being strategically applied to the sealing surfaces of suction cups and contact areas of gripping tongs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If direct contact gripping is used, then gripping force is improved, but surface damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A flocking coating consisting of fiber filaments is applied to the gripping surfaces, acting as an intermediary layer between the rigid gripper and the workpiece. This soft coating distributes the gripping force across multiple fiber contact points rather than concentrated rigid contact, enabling effective gripping while preventing surface damage and marks on delicate objects
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping surface is transformed from a hard, smooth surface to a soft, fibrous surface through flocking coating. This parameter change in surface compliance allows the gripper to adapt its contact characteristics, providing gentle contact that prevents damage while maintaining sufficient gripping force through increased contact area and friction
2Reliability
If rigid gripping surfaces are used, then gripping reliability is improved, but object deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping surface compliance is changed by applying a soft flocking coating, transforming the rigid surface into a compliant one. This allows the gripper to conform to the workpiece shape and distribute pressure evenly, preventing deformation of delicate objects while maintaining reliable gripping through increased friction and contact area
3Ease of manufacture
If smooth gripping surfaces are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but gripping force on delicate objects is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire gripper structure complex, only the local gripping surfaces are modified with flocking coating. This localized treatment provides the necessary soft and high-friction contact properties where needed, while the rest of the gripper structure remains simple and easy to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping surface becomes a composite structure combining the rigid substrate (providing structural support) with the soft flocking coating (providing gentle contact and high friction). This composite approach enables the gripper to maintain structural integrity while achieving the soft contact properties needed for delicate objects
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The gripper effectively handles delicate objects without causing damage or leaving marks, ensuring reliable and gentle manipulation, even with heavy or limp materials, while maintaining surface integrity for subsequent treatments like metallization or painting.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one gripping element has a flocking at least in the area which comes into contact with the object or workpiece when manipulating the at least one gripping element
Implementation Method 2
The fiber filaments are, in the area that comes into contact with the gripping item/workpiece when manipulating the at least one gripping element, at least partially connected to the at least one gripping element
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
The invention relates to a gripper (100), and in particular a pneumatically actuated gripper (100) in the form of a suction gripper or a gripping clamp. The gripper (100) has a gripper holder (3.1, 3.2) via which the gripper (100) can preferably be detachably connected to a manipulator, robot arm, or the like. Furthermore, the gripper (100) has at least one gripping element (2.1, 2.2) which is connected to the gripper holder (3.1, 3.2) and is designed such that, upon manipulation of the at least one gripping element (2.1, 2.2), a workpiece or object can be grasped. In order to ensure that the gripper (100) can grip a workpiece gently, and that both the workpiece and the at least one gripping element of the gripper are effectively protected from damage during handling, the invention provides that the at least one gripping element (2.1, 2.2) is protected at least in the area that is exposed when manipulating the at least one gripping element (2.1, 2.2).2) comes into contact with the workpiece, has a flocking (5).