OnRobot Announces Universal End-of-Arm Tooling Compatibility

OnRobot A/S has launched a universal mechanical and electrical interface for any OnRobot end-of-arm tooling that dramatically simplifies automation. Now, with a single robotic system, single platform for programming and training, and single vendor relationship, manufacturers can have access to a full range of tools, full robot compatibility, according to the company. 

In April 2019, OnRobot released its Digital I/O Converter Kit, which allowed OnRobot end-of-arm tools to work with a range of collaborative and light industrial robot brands including Universal Robots, Kuka, FANUC, Doosan, Techman, Yaskawa, Mitsubishi, Kawasaki and Nachi. Building on that initiative, all OnRobot products now have a unified mechanical and communications interface based on the OnRobot Quick Changer.

“Manufacturers are demanding more from their robotic applications, and end-of-arm tooling has become the key to optimizing their investments,” says OnRobot CEO Enrico Krog Iversen. 

Remy Glaisner, research director for intelligent operational systems and robotics at market research firm IDC, comments that “The benefits of robotics across the industrial operating environment is routinely hindered because of systems' limited versatility. Actuation capabilities are therefore critical to the applicability of solutions across a variety of manufacturing use-cases. An adaptable end-effector solution translates into accrued technology adoption, enabling a new level of nimble operational effectiveness.”

With the OnRobot Quick Changer, a single cable is said to act as a universal interface for tools and communications, so there is no need to disconnect cables when changing tools, while extended communications options support a full range of robotic platforms.

For Universal Robots:

For Universal Robots robot arms, OnRobot now provides a unified URCap that allows all tools to work together, even in a single program. For example, using the new Dual Quick Changer, manufacturers can use an RG2 two-finger gripper together with a VG10 vacuum gripper in one cycle, achieving greater utilization of a single UR robot. Thanks to the unified programming solution, the setup time on UR robots is now faster than ever.

Fieldbus solution for other robot brands:

All OnRobot products now have a unified communication platform using standard fieldbus protocols, making it easy to program the tools, regardless of robot used, the company says. With the fieldbus protocols, manufacturers can set software values and use more functions via a standard Ethernet cable, supporting an increased level of sophistication with a simple plug-and-play approach that doesn’t require additional cables. OnRobot claims that setup time can be cut from 3 hours to 30 minutes with this method.

WebLogic for Digital I/O for any type of robots:

For robots that connect through digital I/O, the OnRobot one-system solution includes a WebLogic interface. Using the IP address of the OnRobot Compute Box, manufacturers can sign in via the OnRobot WebClient from a phone or any other network-connected device to monitor the robot or create simple robot programs. Manufacturers can preset values and create elaborate programming logic using the feedback values from OnRobot grippers and sensors to provide finer control.