New Scale Robotics Launches Precision Gripper for Universal Cobots

Extreme precision aimed at small parts; high-speed communications allows for multiple gripper control.

New Scale Robotics today launched a new precision electric parallel gripper for Universal Robots e-Series cobots, taking advantage of the system’s new high-speed RS-485 digital communications interface. The company said its NSR-PG-10-20-URe Precision Parallel Gripper will bring two new benefits to users looking at working with small parts:

Measurement precision of 2.5 µm (0.1 in/1000) when using the gripper’s fingers as an automated gauge for small parts. The company said this is four times better than its original NSR-PG gripper, and 20 to 80 times better than similar grippers from competitors.

The ability to control multiple grippers on one robot. New Scale said the high-speed communications enable the UR e-Series controller to manage more data in real time, letting it control multiple grippers on one robot.

The company said the electric gripper is the smallest and lightest gripper available for UR robots, allowing manufacturers and research labs to deploy cobots in new ways, especially when manipulating small parts in tight spaces.

“Combined with their unmatched measurement precision, it makes the grippers uniquely suited for automated metrology of small parts, intricate part handling and assembly tasks, and lab automation involving small and close-spaced trays of lab ware,” the company said.

The gripper is now available from New Scale Robotics, as well as UR distributors. More details and specifications of the gripper are available here.