The innovative manipulation device - micro-gripper - allows the gripping by vacuum of micro-components and integrates a novel system to support their release. The manipulation of millimetric and sub-millimetric components can present several issues, often negligible at the macro-scale. Indeed, the high surface-to-volume ratio leads to the predominance of the superficial adhesion forces over the gravitational force, therefore the manipulation of micro-parts is very challenging. In particular, the release phase becomes particularly critical, uncertain, and unreliable, since the components often stick to the gripper and the gravitational force does not overcome the adhesion. The micro-gripper conceived enables a controlled release of micro-components and it has been designed to be effective, simple, low-cost, low-weight, easy to use and integrate in a manipulation system.
The new vacuum manipulation device uses the same actuating system (a vacuum pump) for grasping the component and controlling an innovative mechanical system to assist the release. The mechanical system, integrated inside the gripper body, can move between two main positions: one of grasping by vacuum and the other of assisted release, as soon as the connection line with the pump is stopped. The innovative device allows the precise, reliable and safe manipulation of micro-parts, avoiding any considerable increase in weight nor excessive complication of the system. The device can be easily mounted on a robot or integrated in a manual or tele-operated manipulation system. Its applications spread across several sectors including electronics, automotive, micro-mechanics, packaging, telecommunication, medicine, biomedicine, and jewellery.
Italy, UK, Switzerland, France, Germany