The Layer Gripper uses a combination of vacuum lift technology, mechanical clamping bars, and side skirts to adaptively handle and lift individual consignments, irrespective of size, shape, weight, and fragility, while maintaining a high throughput.
E-commerce has changed the expectations of buyers: they want the speed and flexibility of their online systems to be matched in the delivery process. With its mixed product lifting, high speed and large capacity, the new Unigripper Layer Gripper allows manufacturers and distributors to fulfill customers’ expectations.
The Layer Gripper uses a combination of Unigripper’s patented vacuum lift technology, mechanical clamping bars, and side skirts to adaptively handle and lift individual customer consignments, irrespective of their constituents’ mix of size, shape, weight, and fragility, while maintaining a high throughput. Objects like sealed boxes can be lifted by vacuum, but for more difficult or irregular shapes, the side skirts act as baffles, allowing the vacuum grippers to create the vacuum necessary for lift. Where vacuum lifting is impossible, the mechanical clamping bars can handle the load. Alternatively, a combination of vacuum and clamp lifting can be optimized for individual applications.
Both palletizing and depalletizing operations are possible, as are multi layer loads. Each layer can be different, with, say, cardboard boxes on one level and bottles on another. The layers can be completely or partly full, with gaps between products being permissible. The side skirts can be adjusted to baffle for loads of different heights.
The Layer Gripper operates quickly, with up to 350 cycles an hour. This performance is aided by servo operated clamping bar height adjustment. The programmable clamping force can be minimised for fragile products or set to any level up to 200 Kg per side if more lift is needed. A maximum layer weight of 300Kg is possible. Two pallet sizes are supported: Euro pallet, with a maximum gripping size of 1320 x 1040mm and US/CHEP pallet handling up to 1420 x 1220mm.
The Layer Gripper functions as a rigid end-of-arm tool (EOAT) with a mechanical interface and robot adapter provided. It is typically used within robot or gantry mounted palletizing systems. A DeviceNet network communications interface is provided for remote configuration, control and data collection.
Cardboard boxes or trays containing any product with or without plastic shrinkwrap can be lifted. And, the Layer Gripper is cost effective: just one unit is needed per conveyor line, and it can become a simple to support single type solution throughout an operation.
