Additive Manufacturing – Rapid Prototyping – 3D Printing

Case Study: Successful Customization of End-of-Arm Tools through 3D Printing

With this case study, we’d like to present an innovative solution that we developed for creating a marketing video using a Cobot from Universal Robots. Our goal was to write our company name on a whiteboard. However, we faced the challenge that there was no suitable end-of-arm tool available for the Cobot that could hold and write with a pen. Purchasing such a tool would have been not only expensive but also come with long lead times, significantly delaying the production of our marketing video.

The solution? We decided to leverage the benefits of additive manufacturing, specifically 3D printing, to create a customized end-of-arm tool. This not only enabled writing on the whiteboard but also opened up a multitude of possibilities for the customized design of end-of-arm tools.

Challenge: Lack of Suitable End-of-Arm Tool

The initial challenge was the absence of a suitable end-of-arm tool to fulfill our specific requirement. The market didn’t offer a suitable solution, and purchasing expensive end-of-arm tools seemed not only costly but also inflexible in terms of individual customization and lead times.

Solution: 3D Printing for Custom End-of-Arm Tools

To overcome this challenge, we opted for additive manufacturing. Through 3D printing, we were able to create a customized end-of-arm tool perfectly tailored to our needs. The tool was designed not only to securely hold a pen but also to be easily adaptable to various requirements.

Results and Benefits:

Cost Efficiency:
3D printing enabled us to find a cost-effective solution compared to purchasing expensive pre-made end-of-arm tools, saving us approximately 97% of the costs.
Customization:
Additive manufacturing allows us not only to produce cost-effectively but also to make individual adjustments for our customers. Through 3D printing, we were able to find a solution fully tailored to our application.
Swift Implementation:
The entire process, from idea to implementation of the 3D-printed tool, was time-efficient and allowed for a quick response to our requirements. After approximately one day, our end-of-arm tool solution was ready and operational.
Production Flexibility:
The ability to quickly and flexibly adapt end-of-arm tools opens up new horizons in production efficiency.

Conclusion:

The successful implementation of this project not only showcases the performance of Universal Robots Cobots but also demonstrates the potential of 3D printing for the customization of end-of-arm tools. We take pride in finding innovative solutions that not only are cost-effective but also provide tailored responses to the individual needs of our customers.

If you’re also seeking flexible and cost-effective solutions for your manufacturing requirements, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re ready to explore individual paths with you and develop innovative solutions together.

Feel free to reach out to us for a non-binding inquiry!

Ringbach GmbH offers support in the development of prototypes as well as the production of serial parts, which can later be manufactured, for example, using injection molding. Additionally, we can advise you in the areas of drive and automation technology as well as sensor and control technology.

Our manufacturing capabilities at the Landshut location include multiple FDM printers (Fused Deposition Modeling) in various sizes (component size up to 1000 x 1000 x 1000 mm). The components are printed according to your requirements (dimensions, material, color, etc.) and, if desired, post-processed and refined. Afterwards, we directly dispatch the components to you.