End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT)

Schmalz cooperates with leading robot manufacturers to develop customized EOATs. Our ready-to-connect handling sets are tailored to your applications and production processes, featuring not only the gripper but also the matching flange and connection cables.

An EOAT system consists of several components that work together to ensure the handling of workpieces. The robot (1) serves as the base and performs the movements. The robot is connected to the vacuum generator (3) via the flange (2) and generates the necessary vacuum. Below this is the vacuum gripper (4), shown here as an example with suction cups that securely pick up the workpiece (5). The system is controlled via an operator panel (6), while the software (app) (7) is used for programming and adjusting the system.

The flexibility of EOAT solutions is crucial for companies that need to respond to changing production requirements. Vacuum grippers are not limited to a single activity, but can be adapted in many ways to different applications and varying workpieces.

• Versatility: The same gripping system can be used for handling different product geometries and materials.
• Adaptability: Quick changeover and simple configuration of the vacuum components enable efficient adaptation to new production runs or changing workpieces.
• Efficiency Increase: The flexible usability of the gripping systems minimizes set-up times and maximizes the overall efficiency of the automation system.

Whether you want to handle workpieces with vacuum, magnetically or mechanically: Schmalz offers individual components, ready-to-connect sets and complete gripping systems for your application.

Our modular solutions can be quickly integrated into existing systems and are scalable for different batch sizes. From selection to the start of operations, we support you with technical consultation and practical function tests to ensure that your process works reliably.

End-of-arm tooling (EOAT) from Schmalz enables the precise and safe implementation of intelligent automation solutions. The combination of specific vacuum components and gripping systems creates highly efficient complete systems that offer maximum flexibility in various applications. Our focus is on powerful and user-friendly vacuum technology that offers you numerous advantages:

• Easy integration: Schmalz vacuum grippers can be quickly integrated into existing robot environments via standardized interfaces.
• Intuitive operation: The software reduces the programming effort and enables a quick start of operations.
• System monitoring: Operating data can be read out, analyzed and adaptations made using applications such as the ControlRoom app.
• Gentle workpiece handling: Vacuum technology enables safe pickup of workpieces and protects sensitive surfaces.
• Robustness and reliability: EOAT solutions from Schmalz are designed for industrial use and offer a high level of operational reliability.
• Occupational health and safety: Vacuum grippers prevent pinching edges and shear points, improving worker safety.

Robotics solutions from Schmalz are used for loading and unloading machines, for picking, palletizing and depalletizing or for bin picking processes. The range includes standardized and configurable end effectors, modular gripper systems, vision & handling sets as well as electrical and pneumatic vacuum generators.

Our gripper solutions are compatible with all common lightweight robots and cobots and are provided as ready to connect sets. Equipped with communication interfaces for bidirectional data exchange, with diagnostic functions for the handling process, with vision systems for gripping point detection or ecosystems for automated gripper change, the gripper plays a central role in the overall system.

In this handling application, the EOAT takes over the picking and placing of the workpieces. It picks them up from a defined location and places them at another, equally defined position.

Thanks to high precision and repeatability, the EOAT can reliably perform such tasks around the clock. Recurring tasks can be easily programmed, saved and retrieved at any time.

A particularly demanding variant is the so-called "bin picking". In this case, a camera system identifies the respective component, allowing the EOAT to remove it independently from the bin. In combination with a cobot, this creates a flexible solution for automated pick-and-place processes.

EOAT systems provide optimal relief to skilled employees by automating monotonous machine loading and unloading. What's more, because cobots with EOAT are constantly available and can operate day and night, machine idle times are substantially reduced. As soon as processing is complete, the EOAT immediately unloads the machine and reloads it with new parts. Cobots do not require much space for this, and manual operators can still operate the machines. Equipped with vacuum grippers, EOAT systems offer exceptional flexibility and can handle various workpieces across different machines.

The vacuum gripper moves even soft and delicate materials and irregular shapes safely and gently. Once the product quantity and the respective target position have been saved, the parts are systematically placed until the cardboard box is full. The finished packaged parts are neatly stacked on the pallets in positions specified by humans.

The vacuum gripper of the EOAT handles the parts with minimized marks and positions them precisely in the specified position for analysis or testing processes. The parts are inspected or processed by the machine. Once the process is complete, the cobot is informed. During inspection processes, the cobot receives a signal indicating whether the inspected part should be forwarded for further processing or sorted out.

The vacuum gripper of the EOAT picks up the workpieces from above and reliably places them in the desired position. The individual components are gripped and assembled one after the other. Once saved, the work steps can be repeated as often as required. Without spatial separation, the vacuum grippers take over monotonous tasks. Humans monitor, control and supervise the processes.