Case Studies Agile Industrial Robot Grippers with Topology Optimization & Metal 3D Printing

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	Agile Industrial Robot Grippers with Topology Optimization & Metal 3D Printing

Agile Industrial Robot Grippers with Topology Optimization & Metal 3D Printing

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Generative AI Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Industries	Automotive
Applicable Functions	Process Manufacturing Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Factory Operations Visibility & Intelligence Manufacturing System Automation Predictive Maintenance
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	Preziosa Francesco SRL faced a significant bottleneck in their automated press brake bending machine due to the long lead times of CNC machining new sets of custom robot grippers. This bottleneck threatened the efficiency and reliability of their robotic cell, which was a substantial investment. The challenge was to find a way to produce these grippers more quickly and reliably to ensure the smooth operation of their manufacturing process. Read More
About Customer	Preziosa Francesco SRL is a manufacturer of sheet metal cabinets based in Bergamo, Italy. The company has established itself as a leader in its field by investing in advanced manufacturing technologies, including a robotic cell and an automated press brake bending machine. These investments are crucial for maintaining their competitive edge and ensuring high-quality production. However, the company faced challenges with the long lead times associated with CNC machining custom robot grippers, which are essential for their automated processes. By partnering with Add-it and leveraging metal 3D printing, Preziosa Francesco SRL aimed to overcome these challenges and enhance their manufacturing capabilities. Read More
Solution	To address the bottleneck, Preziosa Francesco SRL partnered with Add-it to move part production in-house using metal 3D printing. They utilized nTopology's software to create reusable design workflows, which allowed them to quickly generate custom grippers with optimized geometry. The engineers applied a honeycomb-like perforation pattern to the grippers to increase traction and reliability. Additionally, they used topology optimization to design more agile grippers with a smaller footprint, enhancing the robot's safe zone and process repeatability. This approach not only improved the reliability of the bending process but also enabled lights-out manufacturing and full utilization of their robotic system. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Generative AI

Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems

Applicable Industries

Automotive

Applicable Functions

Process Manufacturing

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Factory Operations Visibility & Intelligence

Manufacturing System Automation

Predictive Maintenance

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

Preziosa Francesco SRL faced a significant bottleneck in their automated press brake bending machine due to the long lead times of CNC machining new sets of custom robot grippers. This bottleneck threatened the efficiency and reliability of their robotic cell, which was a substantial investment. The challenge was to find a way to produce these grippers more quickly and reliably to ensure the smooth operation of their manufacturing process.

About Customer

Preziosa Francesco SRL is a manufacturer of sheet metal cabinets based in Bergamo, Italy. The company has established itself as a leader in its field by investing in advanced manufacturing technologies, including a robotic cell and an automated press brake bending machine. These investments are crucial for maintaining their competitive edge and ensuring high-quality production. However, the company faced challenges with the long lead times associated with CNC machining custom robot grippers, which are essential for their automated processes. By partnering with Add-it and leveraging metal 3D printing, Preziosa Francesco SRL aimed to overcome these challenges and enhance their manufacturing capabilities.

Solution

To address the bottleneck, Preziosa Francesco SRL partnered with Add-it to move part production in-house using metal 3D printing. They utilized nTopology's software to create reusable design workflows, which allowed them to quickly generate custom grippers with optimized geometry. The engineers applied a honeycomb-like perforation pattern to the grippers to increase traction and reliability. Additionally, they used topology optimization to design more agile grippers with a smaller footprint, enhancing the robot's safe zone and process repeatability. This approach not only improved the reliability of the bending process but also enabled lights-out manufacturing and full utilization of their robotic system.

Impact #1	The redesigned gripper significantly improved process reliability, eliminating stops and enabling lights-out manufacturing.
Impact #2	The ability to produce parts in-house within a few days allowed Preziosa Francesco SRL to adapt their system on short notice and revisit processes as needed.
Impact #3	Reusable design workflows created in nTopology facilitated rapid generation of custom industrial tools and fixtures, enhancing the overall manufacturing process.

Impact #1

The redesigned gripper significantly improved process reliability, eliminating stops and enabling lights-out manufacturing.

Impact #2

The ability to produce parts in-house within a few days allowed Preziosa Francesco SRL to adapt their system on short notice and revisit processes as needed.

Impact #3

Reusable design workflows created in nTopology facilitated rapid generation of custom industrial tools and fixtures, enhancing the overall manufacturing process.

Benefit #1	The final gripper design was ready for application in just 4 days.
Benefit #2	The new design bypassed a supply chain bottleneck, ensuring continuous production.

Benefit #1

The final gripper design was ready for application in just 4 days.

Benefit #2

The new design bypassed a supply chain bottleneck, ensuring continuous production.

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Overview

Agile Industrial Robot Grippers with Topology Optimization & Metal 3D Printing

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit