Robotic Toolchanger For Heavy Automation

The QC-1210, a robotic toolchanger designed for payloads as heavy as 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg), is available from ATI Industrial Automation. The heavy automation toolchanger features three of the company’s patented Fail-Safe locking mechanisms to ensure high moment capacity and strength.

Compatible with existing heavy automation toolchanger utility modules, the modular construction allows integration into applications requiring high power, coolant, servo, DeviceNet, Ethernet and discrete-signal capabilities. It does this by incorporating separate modules that can be mounted on any of the six available flats. This common module-mounting pattern is said to make maintenance easy by increasing uniformity and flexibility. The toolchanger uses a common lock/unlock air supply and a lock/unlock sensing method that allows end users the option to receive one signal from the toolchanger or one from the three individual locking mechanisms.

In operation, three ready-to-lock sensors detect when the tool plate is within 0.06" (1.5 mm) of the master plate, ensuring that the tool plate and master plate are parallel. The company’s No-Touch-Locking technology allows as much as 0.1" (2.5 mm) plate separation when locking. All locking parts are made of R_c58 stainless steel and are designed for reliability, repeatability and strength, the company says.