Piab has continued to evolve its piCOBOT program by adding a larger version, the piCOBOT L. Developed for customers who work with small industrial robots and cobots, its high payload and low building height enable maximum capacity usage.

The piCOBOT family consists of two pump units and a selection of grippers. Optionally, a tool changer with a respective docking station is available. The main differences between piCOBOT and piCOBOT L lie in payload and capacity. Both piCOBOT versions are compatible with a broad range of cobots and small industrial robots. They are equipped with specific software features to enable easy system installation and operation with Universal Robots (UR) and Fanuc industrial robots.

With a lifting capability of up to 35 lb, the piCOBOT L is beneficial for applications where gripping speed, high-vacuum flow, and heavy lifts are required. It builds on the same technology platform as the original version and consists of a vacuum pump unit and an optional gripper unit. The vacuum pump unit is scalable and can be equipped with up to four COAX cartridges. The ejector capability is targeted for applications such as e-commerce, logistics, warehouse, packaging, machine tending, part assembly, palletizing/de-palletizing, bin picking, and kitting, and for lifting heavier items in production.

Choose standard or custom end-effectors

The piCOBOT L’s high-vacuum flow facilitates the deployment of large Kenos foam grippers that can lift a wide variety of objects, from single large and heavy objects to a multitude of small objects simultaneously. Piab’s Custom Line specialists, the customer, or the system integrator can also develop customized end-effectors. Due to the vacuum connection at the bottom of the pump, no extra cabling is required when attaching a different gripper unit.

Select ejectors based on applications

Design engineers can choose between two COAX ejector cartridge products depending on the application. The SX42 is designed for applications requiring higher vacuum flow to compensate for leakage when handling porous objects, such as corrugated boxes. The other choice, SX12, is designed for handling more solid nonporous surfaces, such as metal.

Both products are multistage COAX Generation 2 ejector nozzles made of a fully dustproof design where flaps and check valves are separated. With the reduced outer dimension, the ejectors combine high vacuum flow and fast response times with high vacuum levels of 27 in.-Hg.

Swap out end-effectors automatically

The piCOBOT L allows manual gripper changes and tool dissembling from the pump unit. It also has an optional automatic tool changer with a docking station to speed up tool changes, ensure continuous operations, and deploy one solution for many different tasks at the lowest possible cost.

The automatic tool changer is equipped with a lever to lock or unlock the adapter plate of the end-effector. The lever can be opened and closed automatically by the docking station to remove a gripping unit from the cobot and pick up and connect a different one without human interference. Alternatively, the gripper switch at the tool changer can also take place manually.

Clean and service parts easily

The piCOBOT L was developed with easy access to parts that may require cleaning. Accordingly, the ejector cartridges can be extracted in portions, and the vacuum stages can be cleaned where needed. The integration of dust protection filters further maximizes machine uptime. Due to its IP65-compliant, robust pump body, long operation times are also realized in harsh environments.

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