Grippers vs. Suction Cups in Robotics: Choosing the Right End-of-Arm Tooling

Manufacturers can use several robotic grippers to automate their processes, each with its own set of advantages and limitations. However, finding the ideal solution depends on several factors, such as the tasks that are being automated, the environmental conditions, and the budget.

This article will begin by providing insights into grippers and suction cups. We will follow that up with a review of important factors to consider when selecting End-of-Arm Tooling (EoAT).

Pros and Cons of Grippers

Grippers are one common component used in End-of-Arm Tooling. These devices enable robots to interact with objects of varying geometry and material composition. Due to the massive differences in the objects these grippers can interact with, they are used in a wide range of applications.

You will find grippers with two or three fingers; many are engineered to emulate the general anatomy of a human hand. The pros and cons of grippers depend on the type of gripper being used. Let’s review a few common gripper designs.

Parallel Two-Finger Grippers

Parallel two-finger grippers provide excellent stability. The 2-jaw design of these grippers makes it easier to automate processes as the part or component will always be between the two fingers or jaws. However, they have limited ability to handle irregular shapes or sizes.

Parallel Three-Finger Grippers

Due to their self-centering design, parallel three-finger grippers offer strong advantages in handling round or cylindrical objects. They can handle substantial payloads and, therefore, excel in heavy-duty tasks.

Adaptive Grippers

Adaptive grippers are quite versatile. With multiple fingers made of flexible materials, they can easily grip irregular objects. The downside is that they tend to be less precise and operate at a slower pace.

Pros and Cons of Suction Cups

Suction cups are another essential component in End-of-Arm Tooling. Among different types of robotic grippers, suction cups stand out due to their versatility and low cost.

The EOAT may consist of a single suction cup or multiple cups that rely on a vacuum generated by the robot to lift objects. The vacuum lifts the parts and provides verification back to the program to ensure the object is present.

The pros of vacuum grippers and suction cups include:

• Vacuum grippers can handle a wide variety of objects ranging from small to large.
• They distribute the weight evenly across the surface of the object being lifted.
• They contribute to energy efficiency and noise reduction when equipped with self-closing valves.
• Their customizable nature allows flexible configurations.
• Their cost-effectiveness makes them widely used in automation.

The cons include reduced performance on porous surfaces and higher maintenance requirements due to wear of sealing components.

Factors to Consider When Selecting End-of-Arm Tooling

Selecting the ideal End-of-Arm Tooling solution depends on task requirements, environmental conditions, and cost considerations.

The operating environment must also be considered. High dust, oil, or moisture can affect EOAT performance and reliability.

Industrial robotics platforms such as ABB robotics systems are often used as the base architecture for integrating different end-of-arm tooling solutions.

Final Thoughts

End-of-Arm Tooling comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Final selection depends on application needs.

Parallel grippers are ideal for stability and precision. Suction cups are better suited for flat or smooth surfaces requiring speed and flexibility.