OnRobot releases 'world's most powerful electric vacuum gripper'

OnRobot has released what it claims to be the world’s most powerful electric vacuum gripper, the VGP20. 

It is said to be suitable for a wide variety of applications, such as bulky, porous cardboard boxes or bags of dog food as well as clothing and items with irregular shapes. The company says it is compatible with all leading robot brands and can handle loads of up to 20kg. It is ideal for applications in industries from cosmetics and electronics to pharmaceuticals and food and beverage.

“The VGP20 combines power, intelligence and ease-of-use that competes with expensive, complex pneumatic grippers,” said CEO Enrico Krog Iversen.

End-of-line operations such as palletising are labour-intensive and costly. Researchers estimate that, on average, labour costs account for 65% of warehouse facility operating budgets, dwarfing the costs associated with utilities, taxes, distribution and rent combined. 

On this basis alone, automation is a compelling proposition for companies of all sizes. According to researchers, adoption of automated palletising solutions in the food and beverage sector is estimated to have increased at a CAGR of more than 13% since 2017 and is set to reach USD390 million by 2022. 

The costs of cardboard for packaging has risen by nearly 40% from 2010-2020. And with continued strong growth of e-commerce demands, estimates of further increases lead shippers to look for lower-cost options for packaging materials. 

Thinner, more porous cardboard and lightweight shipping bags present challenges for traditional automated packaging and palletising, however. 

The powerful, customisable OnRobot VGP20 easily handles these thinner and less expensive packaging materials, allowing shippers to save considerably on both automation and shipping costs.

OnRobot’s VGP20 gripper also provides an option to enable continuous monitoring of the gripper’s air flow. If this option is selected, and the vacuum is interrupted for any reason, the robot will come to an immediate halt and an alert pop-up window will be displayed in the gripper software.