ATTRACTION GRIPPER (MAGNETIC GRIPPER) – 21011
An attraction gripper is a robot end effector that grasps objects by means of electrical or magnetic attraction. Generally, magnets are used; either permanent magnets or electromagnets will serve the purpose. Electromagnets offer the advantage of being on/off controllable, so an object can be conveniently released without its having to be secured by some external means. Permanent magnets, conversely, offer the advantage of a minimal maintenance requirement.
Like the adhesive gripper, the attraction gripper is fundamentally simple. There are two primary problems with this type of end effector.
-First, in order for a magnetic attraction gripper to work, the object it grasps must contain a ferromagnetic material such as iron or steel.
-Second, the magnetic field produced by the end effector can permanently magnetize the objects it handles. In some cases this is not a concern, but in other instances it can cause trouble.