Industrial robot gripper mechanism - uses cuff of memory alloy and associated heating or cooling device

摘要

The gripper mechanism comprises a robot arm (1) with a linkage (2) at its free end fitted with a clamp (3) supporting a cuff (4) of a memory alloy with an associated heating and/or cooling device. The cuff can be fitted over a pin (6) attached to the component (5) to be handled with a given temp. cycle effected via the heating and/or cooling device to allow it to be gripped and released. The heating device may comprise an inductive heating coil, or a resistance heating coil, a liquid heating loop, or a Peltier element, with cooling provided by forced or natural convection, a liquid cooling loop or a Peltier element. USE/ADVANTAGE - Automised mass prodn. line. Higher reliability witheasier supervision of complete installation.