Abstract
A magnetic gripping tool comprising one tool-change interface, one magnet assembly and one contact detector. When the magnet assembly reaches the gripping position, the coil is energised by the cell controller. After the workpiece has reached the set-down position, the coil is shut down by the cell controller. The arrangement is a proposed configuration composed from a typed library of mechanism blocks derived from published patents; it has not been constructed.
1. Purpose and arrangement
[0001]This disclosure describes a magnetic gripping tool: one magnet assembly carried on a tool-change interface. It is arranged for starting the cycle at the moment of contact and exchanging the tool without rewiring the cell. One concrete embodiment is described; every connection is stated with the medium it carries, and the operating sequence is given as conditions on named operations.
2. Components, construction and connections
[0002]One tool-change interface. The tool-change interface splits the tool into a robot side and a tool side, so the tool can be exchanged without dismantling it. The tool-change interface has a mechanical lock.
[0003]One magnet assembly. The magnet assembly presents a pole face to the workpiece and holds a ferrous workpiece without any air circuit. The magnet assembly uses an electromagnet.
[0004]One contact detector. The contact detector reports the moment a workpiece is present at the gripping face; its sensing technology is not fixed by this arrangement. The contact detector is mounted on the frame.
[0005]The magnet assembly is carried on the tool side of the tool-change interface.
[0006]The contact detector is mounted on the frame and reports the moment a workpiece is present against the magnet face.
[0007]The robot side of the tool-change interface is bolted to the robot flange.
[0008]The coil of the magnet assembly is supplied from the electrical supply of the cell.
[0009]The contact detector reports to the cell controller.
3. Operating sequence and conditions
[0010]
- After the contact detector has detected the workpiece, the gripping cycle is actuated by the cell controller.
[0011]
- When the magnet assembly reaches the gripping position, the coil is energised by the cell controller.
[0012]
- While the coil is in the energised state, the workpiece is held by the magnet assembly.
[0013]
- After the workpiece has reached the set-down position, the coil is shut down by the cell controller.
[0014]The cell controller reads the contact detector (on the frame) and commands the magnet assembly; no sensor drives an actuator directly.
4. Parameters and operating assumptions
[0015]Parameter values of this embodiment: locking of the tool-change interface: mechanical (sets what has to be present at the interface for the tool to stay attached); magnet type of the magnet assembly: electromagnet (sets whether the holding force can be switched off electrically or must be overcome mechanically); placement of the contact detector: on the frame (sets where the presence of the workpiece is detected).
[0016]The lock is engaged by a manually operated lever on the interface; no supply crosses the interface for the lock, and tool exchange needs an operator at the tool.
5. Provenance and status
[0017]This document is an original combination composed from a typed library of mechanism blocks. Each block was derived from a published patent and carries typed connection points, the parameters its source states, and its own construction and operating description. The combination described here is proposed and has not been constructed. The published documents behind the blocks used in this arrangement are US-10259123-B2, US-11858125-B2, US-2022339798-A1; their text is not reproduced, and the description above is generated from the structure of the combination.
6. Correction notice
[0018]This publication supersedes OT-2026-000006057, whose text described this arrangement with defects recorded in the quality register at https://opentechnical.org/qa/. The earlier publication is unchanged and remains public. Changes made to reach a consistent configuration: ejector removed: a magnetic face carries no vacuum circuit; the same corrected configuration also replaces OT-2026-000006323.