Gripping delicate fabrics

Citation

(1999), "Gripping delicate fabrics", Industrial Robot, Vol. 26 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1999.04926ead.004

Gripping delicate fabrics

Gripping delicate fabrics

Keywords Robot, Grippers, Clothing

Needle gripper eliminates material damage on automated machines

Gripping woven and knitted materials for assembly by automated machines, without causing damage to the fabric, can frequently be a difficult problem for textile companies (see Plate 3).

Plate 3 Leader's needle gripper eliminates material damage on automated machines

An interesting solution that solves the problem is now available from Leader Grippers, Chertsey. It is a novel air-powered gripper specially designed to pick up and separate sheets of thin fabric.

The device is just 60mm in diameter and weighs only 500g. Eight rows of five angular needles are incorporated in the gripper head. These penetrate the fabric surfact to provide a secure grip without causing damage to the material.

The depth of needle engagement is adjustable up to 2mm via a clearly indexed calibrated ring around the gripper body.

There are two air connections, one for needle movement, the other for sheet separation. Repeatability for the Leader needle gipper is given as 0.01mm.

For product information contact Richard R. Leader Ltd, 108 Guildford Street, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 9AH. Tel: +44 (0) 1932 563722; Fax: +44 (0) 1932 567975; E-mail 11302.3662@compuserve.com