GRIPPING AND TRANSPORT CLAMP MOUNTED AT THE END OF A ROBOTICARM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME

摘要

The present invention relates to a gripping and transport clamp mounted at a n end of a robotic arm. The clamp has a support member mounted at the end of the robotic arm and two lower pressing plates and one upper pressing plate mounted on th e support member. A sensor is used to detect a reaction force being exerted on the first pressing plate upon displacement thereof. An actuator inserts the first lowe r pressing plate under the object to be gripped in response to a detection of the reaction force by the sensor. The second lower pressing plate under the first pressing plat e moves between a retracted position and an extended position by means of an actuato r mounted between the second lower pressing plate and the support member. It i s also inserted under the object to be gripped. An actuator moves the upper pressin g plate towards the object for gripping it between the plates. A controller receives detection signals from the sensor and operates the actuators.