Robotic applications have become increasingly prevalent in the modern world, from industrial production to healthcare and retail services. These robots are often equipped with hard-grippers, which give them a wide range of capabilities but limit their versatility, only allowing precision grasping of objects of a specific size and shape.
On the other hand, soft grippers offer increased flexibility; they can be adapted to different sizes and shapes of objects, making them useful for many different tasks. This article will discuss how robotic applications with soft grippers can enhance their versatility and flexibility.
Adaptability
One of the critical benefits of soft grippers is their adaptability. A range of elastomers and pneumatic bladders can be designed to fit objects of any size and shape. It opens up many potential applications previously unavailable with hard-gripping robots. For instance, whereas a traditional robotic arm might only handle one type or size of the item, a soft gripper could grasp items ranging from small screws to large containers.
The flexibility also comes with increased precision; because the grippers can conform to different shapes, they can make more precise contact with an object, leading to greater accuracy in tasks such as assembly or sorting.
Safety
Soft grippers also offer increased safety for users and the objects they are handling. Unlike hard-gripping robots, which might cause damage to delicate or fragile items, soft grippers can easily conform to curved surfaces and adjust their grip without causing harm. It makes them ideal for applications where the object must remain undamaged, such as when picking up medical specimens or food products and tasks involving human interaction, like helping physically disabled people carry out everyday tasks.
In addition, since the materials used for soft grippers are much softer than those of hard-gripping robots, they present less risk of injury if a person comes into contact with them. It makes soft grippers ideal for human-robot collaboration tasks like manufacturing or medical procedures.
Cost-efficiency
Another significant advantage of using soft grippers is their cost-efficiency. Soft grippers can be manufactured from much cheaper materials than those used for hard-gripping robots, making them ideal for tasks that do not require high precision. In addition, since soft grippers can often work without additional support structures, like frames and columns, they require less time and money to set up and maintain.
Downtime costs are also reduced because they are easier to repair than hard-gripping robots. It makes soft grippers an excellent choice for applications where quick set-up and low operating costs are essential, such as in large industrial operations or food service.
Versatility
Soft grippers offer excellent versatility, allowing them to be used for various tasks. Due to their increased flexibility and adaptability, they can easily conform to different shapes and sizes, making them ideal for applications requiring precision grasping objects with complex geometries. In addition, since soft grippers are much softer than hard-gripping robots, they can handle delicate items without causing damage or breakage.
It makes soft grippers an invaluable tool for many industries, from medical procedures and assembly lines to food service and retail operations. They can provide efficient solutions to complex tasks where accuracy is essential, but hard-gripping robots cannot compete.
Durability
Soft grippers are also highly durable and reliable due to their flexible materials, which can withstand various conditions without experiencing wear or tear. Therefore, they are ideal for long-term applications; they can operate reliably over extended periods without frequent maintenance or replacement parts.
In addition, since soft grippers do not require additional complex structures (such as support frames and columns) like hard-gripping robots, they are much easier to transport and store. It makes them an excellent choice for mobile applications or tasks that require frequent relocation.
Efficiency
Soft grippers offer increased efficiency compared to traditional hard-gripping robots. It is due to their greater flexibility and adaptability; they can quickly conform to different shapes and sizes of objects, allowing them to carry out tasks in less time than traditional models. In addition, since soft grippers require fewer support structures or additional components, they also reduce set-up times and lower the overall cost of operations.
Because soft grippers are more accessible to repair than hard-gripping robots, downtime costs are also reduced. It makes them ideal for applications where speed and accuracy are essential, such as manufacturing processes or medical procedures.
Precision
Soft grippers also offer excellent precision compared to hard-gripping robots. It is due to their ability to conform to different shapes and sizes of objects, allowing them to make more precise contact with the item. This improved precision leads to greater accuracy in tasks such as assembly or sorting.
In addition, because soft grippers are often designed from elastomers that can slightly deform when compressed, they offer increased force sensitivity. They can detect subtle changes in object shape or surface texture, allowing them to respond quickly and accurately even when handling delicate items.
