Schunk Quick-change gripper fingers increase flexibility of assembly systems

27 June 2013

As the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems, SCHUNK has now transferred its extensive experience with quick-change systems to the design of gripper fingers. This has resulted in the innovative family-owned company introducing its new type of finger blank with a quick-change system already integrated as standard.

The quick-change fingers allow users to minimize set-up times when changing over to a new part spectrum, resulting in increased productivity and flexibility of the overall system. Compared with conventional jaw changing, the new system reduces setup times by up to 90%. An easily accessible, form-fit locking mechanism ensures that the finger is changed in a matter of seconds with perfect repeat accuracy. This is achieved by turning an Allen key 90 degrees. As opposed to other common solutions that are available, bore holes extending through the entire finger are no longer necessary. This gives users the added benefit of maximum freedom in the design of the finger contour.

The fingers can be adapted over their entire length to the respective workpiece, without having to worry about jaw changing and the corresponding screw connections. The finger blanks featuring integrated quick-changing are available in aluminum (ABR-BSWS) or steel (SBR-BSWS). They can be used with all SCHUNK premium grippers and with numerous other gripper modules.