Case Study #106: Sheet Metal

Problem: Handling various sizes of materials including tubing, channel, steel plates and formed sheet metal with only one manipulator.

Application: Each batch of sheet metal had different folds, bends and punched holes. Ends of tubing were often bent up at 15° angles. Manipulator needed to be transferable between different work cells. End-effector needed to be interchangeable with minimal downtime.

Solution: A pedestal mounted Simple Air Manipulator®(SAM K-96) with solid steel mobile base and leveling jacks. Pitching end joint with end-effector interlock. Tongue gripper/trap end-effector for handling tubing, channel, and flat steel. Vacuum end-effector with an adjustable frame and individually adjustable vacuum cups with quick disconnects for cup removal.