Sentineo - Flam cooperation
Intelligent gripper enables automatic gripper changes, flexible objects handling, and higher payload on the same robot arm
To better support its customers, RoboJob set out to go beyond standard grippers and boost the performance and flexibility of robotic applications with a smarter, more compact, and lightweight gripper design. During an initial feasibility study, Sentineo identified the optimal electronic system architecture for the custom motor control. “By applying our first-time-right development approach, we efficiently progressed from idea over controller schematics to final PCB layout,” says Piet Callemeyn, owner of Sentineo. The motor controller was completed in time for the launch of RoboJob’s new gripper at the EMO expo in Hannover, giving end users more possibilities without requiring heavier robots.
Pushing robot gripper boundaries
Seppe Verstraeten, R&D manager of RoboJob: “As market leader in high-mix, low-volume CNC automation, RoboJob continues to push the boundaries of what its systems can deliver. To overcome the limitations of standard grippers and fill in the need of our customers even better, we initiated the development of a new generation of grippers featuring integrated electric motors and a built-in controller.”
The compact, lightweight, and intelligent design enables a higher payload on the same robot arm that was used in previous designs to achieve higher performance and flexibility, and even support fully automated gripper-head exchanges.
Feasibility study guides engineering
After joining the development team, Sentineo discussed the project ambitions and dug into the preparatory work completed by the RoboJob team across different areas of expertise. “To meet the stringent performance and form-factor requirements, we designed a custom electronic system architecture for the motor control unit,” Piet Callemeyn explains.
“The collaboration started with a feasibility study, which allowed us to define the most suitable system architecture and gain clear insights into electronic design options and production costs.”
Engineering first-time-right
Working closely with RoboJob’s multi-disciplinary development team, Sentineo quickly moved forward towards the final electronic schematics and steadily progressed to a compact PCB layout.
Piet Callemeyn comments: “By engaging early in the engineering process, we can maximize our impact on design choices, product robustness, and overall project efficiency. Our rigorous approach and deep expertise in custom electronics enabled us to deliver a state-of-the-art motor controller for this advanced robot gripper.”
Sales results fueled by innovation
Seppe Verstraeten, R&D manager adds: “Sentineo brought its in-depth expertise in custom electronics system design to our RoboJob development team. Together with the Robojob team, everyone seamlessly integrated across multiple engineering disciplines, contributing to the creation of the new robot servo gripper. This innovative gripper consolidates more capabilities into a single unit, including fully automatic gripper changes, flexible handling of objects and a significantly higher payload on the same robot arm.”
The new gripper makes RoboJob’s Tower EVO even more powerful, proving that automation can be more compact, smarter, and versatile. Just weeks after the launch of the Tower EVO at EMO Hannover, the first international orders are already confirmed, from Italy to the US and Germany.
Piet Callemeyn concludes: “The co-development between Sentineo and RoboJob marks a breakthrough in compact and lightweight robot gripper intelligence, enabling more flexible and performant industrial automation.”
