Pneumatic cylinder fitted to the exterior of the gripper operates these rotating flange plates directly via a lever – thereby rotating the gripped workpiece
Being able to rotate workpieces while gripped is very useful in many applications. For example, if gear shafts, axles or pipes being held vertically in a workpiece carrier are to be removed automatically and clamped vertically in a workpiece holder.
For such tasks, Schunk has long offered the GFS swivel finger that is suitable for working environments in which there is plenty of access space. The company has now developed a patented type of finger whose special feature is its slenderness.
In these SFD units there is a rotating flange plate on each of the two gripper fingers. A pneumatic cylinder fitted to the exterior of the gripper operates these rotating flange plates directly via a lever – thereby rotating the gripped workpiece. Motion can be monitored by means of a magnetic switch. The gripper's closing and opening motion is not affected by the swivel mechanism. Cycle times are short, even if the workpiece is swivelled, which means that compact, economical and power-saving applications can be implemented.
The axis of the SFD is centred on the finger at the maximum finger length of 140mm. The maximum torque for the rotating motion is 2Nm. Limit positions can be centrally monitored at the drive cylinder by a magnetic switch, and set precisely via set screws.
SFD swivel units are suitable for use with a wide range of gripper types and sizes. In combination with a gripper like the PSH 22-1, they can be used for handling tools with diameters from zero to approximately 130mm, with a maximum stroke of 28mm per finger.
For more information, visit www.schunk.com
