Gripper magbot adds grasping to magnetic levitation robotics
From Transportation to Manipulation: Enabling Grasping in Magnetic Robotics
Robotics
Summary
Magnetic levitation systems are mostly used to move objects around, but they can’t really pick things up or hold them. The authors created the Gripper MagBot, a low-cost robot that can grasp objects while floating on magnetic levitation. This robot can switch between two modes for stability or space-saving, and it can be placed and removed automatically in a machine. They tested it in real and simulated environments for picking and placing tasks.
What this means in practice
- •For manufacturing engineers: Integrate grasping capability directly into MagLev systems for flexible, scalable in-machine part handling without external robots.
- •For automation integrators: Deploy autonomous MagBot grippers that can self-dock and reconfigure material flow lines for custom small-batch production.
Authors
Lara Bergmann, Noah Greis, Cedric Grothues, Lisa-Marie Weigelt, Klaus Neumann
Abstract
Magnetic levitation (MagLev) systems have great potential for application in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing due to their scalability and flexibility, enabling highly reconfigurable in-machine material flow. However, their manipulation capabilities remain largely unexploited, as current applications almost exclusively focus on transportation. To enable grasping and manipulation directly on MagLev systems without requiring additional costly handling equipment, such as industrial robot arms, we present the Gripper MagBot, a low-cost parallel 6-DoF manipulator with an integrated 1-DoF gripper that mechanically couples three MagLev movers. The Gripper MagBot supports two operating configurations: a default mode and a single-track mode, selectable depending on the required stability and workspace footprint. To reconfigure a machine, the MagBot can be autonomously dropped off and picked up using a docking station. We showcase pick-and-place examples in simulation, as well as with the real Gripper MagBot using our inverse kinematics controller. CAD files, assembly instructions, a component list, and videos are available at https://sites.google.com/view/gripper-magbot.