Winners of the LEAP Awards have been announced for the second annual awards competition. In the Pneumatics category, Festo took the gold for its DHEF adaptive shape gripper, which adapts to workpiece size and shape and picks up, gathers, and sets down single or multiple objects without manual adjustment.
Festo’s DHEF adaptive shape gripper
The new DHEF adaptive shape gripper from Festo offers maximum gripping flexibility with minimal engineering. The adaptive shape gripper automatically grips mixed objects with multiple shapes, unaligned objects, and numerous objects at once. The gripper gently forms around an object and is ideal for gripping fragile items. It is suitable for human/machine interaction.
The DHEF adaptive shape gripper is the industrial version of the Bionic Learning Network’s FlexShapeGripper, which models the gripping mechanics of a chameleon’s tongue. The lizard’s tongue darts out at its prey and then pulls it in while the outside edges wrap around the target, securely holding it. The DHEF adaptive shape gripper uses a flexible silicone cap as the tongue device that draws an object in and captures it.
The DHEF is rated for objects with diameters ranging from 0.47 to 1.5 in. (12 to 38 mm). One of the key areas of use for the adaptive shape gripper is collaborative robotics where maximum flexibility and safety are required. Other areas of interest include machine building, packaging, automotive, electronics, and assembly. The gripper also has application as a prosthetic.
The adaptive shape gripper is designed to be applied as a pneumatic end-of-arm robotic tool. DHEF adaptive shape grippers have a sensor slot for position sensing as well as a bayonet lock for easy replacement of the silicone cap.
Taking Silver was Emerson Aventics’ Smart Pneumatics Analyzer (SPA). The Aventics Smart Pneumatics Analyzer (SPA) enhances preventative maintenance and energy optimization by analyzing and visualizing pneumatic systems. By digitizing the pneumatic environment, the SPA helps pneumatic system users quickly and easily see the potential benefits of integrating IIoT in their machine with a few simple steps. The monitor initially detects the system operating state, analyzes data, and provides this processed information to users for status-oriented maintenance, for example.
Aventics Smart Pneumatics Analyzer (SPA)
By connecting the SPA to an existing machine via the compressed air supply, the user will have instant analysis options for key machine characteristics, such as compressed air consumption and possible leakages. The monitor initially detects the system operating state, analyzes data and provides this processed information to users. The portable SPA case contains a Smart Pneumatics Monitor, AS series air preparation unit and a tablet for visualizing the live data.
Finally, Parker Hannifin took the Bronze Award for its P2M Industrial Ethernet Node, which is optimized to be cost effective with the intention of providing the opportunity for customers with traditionally hardwired networks to migrate to an Ethernet solution that is intuitive, easy to use, install and maintain; all while reducing overall costs.
It features easy connectivity to three core valve products — Moduflex, H Micro and H series ISO with flow range 0.18 to 6.0 Cv with 19 digital outputs on Moduflex valves and 24 outputs on H series Micro and H series ISO valves.
Parker Hannifin’s P2M Industrial Ethernet Node
Easy integration is enabled by an embedded webpage for monitoring and configuring and is compatible with PROFINET fast startup and EtherNet/IP quick connect.
Simple diagnostic input data is provided over the network for easy troubleshooting and predictive maintenance. Useful diagnostic flags in process data for easy access (voltage warnings, temperature warnings, communication error, solenoid short circuit error) and detailed diagnostic information in parameter data (voltage reading, configuration options and cycle count for each solenoid).
It has the auxiliary power galvanically isolated from the logic power making it safe power capable which allows for test pulse (OSSD) compatibility and can be supplied with auxiliary power from a safe output device following machinery directives.
The P2M node has a wide variety of available valve sizes and flow ranges to ensure the best fit to the machine design.
Filed Under: Pneumatic Tips
