Internationale Partnersuche

Innovation & Technologie Angebot

German spin-off developed a form flexible handling system for manufacturing and logistics and is looking for industrial partners and customers

Country of Origin: Germany
Reference Number: TODE20170512001
Publication Date: 12 May 2017

Summary

A German spin-off developed a form flexible handling system which is highly adaptable for manufacturing, production and logistics. The system allows the manipulation of a wide range of objects with the same gripper. The spin-off is looking for a technical cooperation agreement or a commercial agreement with industrial partners to further develop the system as well as industrial partners who are interested in using the system.

Description

The German university spin-off from a mechanical engineering institute developed a highly adaptable handling system for efficient production, manufacturing and logistics. The system allows the manipulation of a wide range of objects with the same gripper. Starting with sheet metal parts, e.g. as used in the automotive industry, to cardboard boxes, bags or other packaging in logistics or even highly porous and flexible materials like textiles, leather or foils. The universal gripper is able to grip all objects without special adjustment. 



The innovative gripping system is based on a granulate pad. The granulate pad automatically adapts itself to the changing contours and surfaces of the product by means of a vacuum volume flow. The shape-variable pad can gently grip, delicate, flexible (non-rigid), porous objects and hot metals.



The system can be used in a variety of manufacturing / production and logistical processes such as

- Textile industry

- Paper industry

- Automotive sector

- Manufacturing 

- Intralogistics

- Sheet processing

- Foil and glass handling 

- bagged goods etc. 



The system is flexible, adaptable, resource-efficient and allows human interaction. Workers do not need any training.

Advantages and Innovations

Conventional handling systems often need several different grippers to handle all parts. Having one universal and flexible gripper results in less changeover time. Besides, the investment in different grippers can be avoided. Saving of set-up times, fewer grippers in use leads to lower costs for procurement, storage and maintenance.



The gripper can easily be customized for different clients:

- Different garanulate materials can be used in the pad depending on the neccessary flow properties, consistence, and temperature resistence.

- The gripper can be ordered in different sizes to ensure the perfect ratio between gripper and product.

- The gripper can have a customized construction form and design depending on the requirements regarding weight, shape, or temperature resistence.

- The fabric used for the gripper can be customized as well, e. g. soft, highly flexible or temperature resistent materials can be used.



Based on the increased flexibility, many manufacturing companies hope to adapt more quickly to the ever-increasing complexity of their customers' demands. 

The system allows a real competitive advantage based on the flexibility. All in all, the system represents a solution for a more flexible production and manufacturing facility.

Stage Of Development

Already on the market

Stage Of Development Comment

The system can be individually adapted depending on the needs.

Requested partner

The company is looking for different kinds of partners:

1. Cooperations to continue the development of the technology (integration of sensors, vision systems etc.)

2. System integrators who are looking to use the product in their facilities. This includes mostly plant manufacturers and planning offices, respectively, whose customers want to use the product.

3. SMEs who want to integrate the product in their existing plants. The company will advise and make site visits to detect the potential for optimization. Therefore it is necessary that the customer keeps an open mind towards the innovations and has short decision-making procedures. Furthermore there might be a test phase because the product has not been tested in the sector, yet. Experiences with big companys have shown that the descision making process often takes months and a tested solution is expected to be used in the production right away. This company is not able to provide this kind of service, yet.

Dissemination Countries

Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden