Collaborative robots are defined by the features that allow them to work in close proximity to humans. Beyond the design of the arm itself, these requirements extend to the end-of-arm tooling as well. For example, a cobot wielding a cutting torch loses its collaborative advantages because it still needs to be guarded as a traditional, non-collaborative robot would.
So, how can a collaborative robot manipulate large payloads? Because of the high forces required to pick up heavy objects, rigid grippers rated for these payloads have pinch points.
German workholding company Schunk GmBH has developed the Co-act EGL-C, a certified collaborative gripper which uses force sensors to approach the workpiece with a low force safe for human fingers, then increase force to grip the part properly once human hands are out of the pinch area.