3D printed end of arm tooling (EOAT) for robotic automation.

Abstract

This research furthers the practice of designing and manufacturing End of Arm Tooling (EOAT) by utilizing a low cost additive manufacturing Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technique to enable tool weight saving and provision of low cost EOATs on demand, thereby facilitating zero inventory lean manufacturing. The materials used in this research for the fabrication of the EOAT parts were Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and nylon with infill densities of 20% and 100%. Three-point flexural tests were performed to determine the differences in strength and stiffness between varying polymers, infill ratios, and a standard metal part. Additionally, potential weight savings were identified and challenges with utilizing low cost FFF technologies are outlined. A motion of programmed trajectories was executed utilizing a standard 6-axis robot and the power consumption was evaluated. This study demonstrates the utility of using thermoplastic material with the fabrication of 3D printed parts used in EOATs.