Feature

Reaching for a better grip with robots

The industrial robotics sector continues to experience strong growth, with operational stock at approximately four million robots, according to statistics from the International Federation of Robotics. Improvements in robotic grippers have helped accelerate industrial robot uptake, but is there room for further development? Here, Ross Turnbull, Director of Business Development and Product Engineering at Swindon Silicon Systems, explores.

05/02/2025 17:36:56

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Whether it’s moving large, heavy goods from point A to point B or assembling something small and fragile, industrial robots can be useful for a wide range of tasks. To give them the ability to hold and manipulate objects independently, many robots will feature one or more grippers.

But it isn’t as simple as directing the gripper just to open or close. These robots must be able to work with objects of all shapes and sizes and materials of different hardnesses – and adapt accordingly.

This can be a challenge. The gripper needs to be able to sense the object to pick it up quickly and accurately, holding it securely to prevent it from being dropped. But it cannot close too tightly, as this could impair the gripper jaws themselves or damage fragile products.

It’s also important to consider the electronics assembly. Thin connector wires in small electronic components can be easily bent and damaged through poor handling. It’s these kinds of problems that gripper manufacturers are keen to avoid.

Read the full article in DPA's February 2025 issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.