THE GRIP IS KEY: Ramping up robotic assembly line tasks

摘要

Robotic grippers are an integral part of many manufacturing lines today, and for good reason. They provide, among other things, very different gripping strengths and extensive handling dexterity for handling objects of various sizes, weights and fragility levels. They also allow for quick setup and changeover from one complex assembly task to another, saving critical time and money. This type of gripping technology is exactly what Robotiq of Levis, Que., specializes in. Founded in 2008, the company has steadily grown the markets for its grippers, which can be found in factories worldwide. Robotiq grippers are used for three main tasks: general universal assembly, machine tending (feeding machines and also placing the completed part for the next step), and product testing. About half of Robotiq's sales are in North America, with a quarter in Europe and another quarter in Asia. The most common sectors using Robotiq grippers are SME contract manufacturers, general industry component manufacturers, automotive tier, and electronics.