3D printed end of arm tooling (EOAT) of a robotic arm

Abstract

This research furthers the practice of designing and manufacturing an EOAT for low weight applications by utilising additive manufacturing (“3D Printing”) techniques to decrease energy consumption via tool weight savings and provide EOAT on demand allowing for zero inventory lean manufacturing. Since metal parts are stronger than polymer materials, the three-point flexural test is carried out to determine the differences in terms of strength between the materials. This system is benchmarked with an off-the-shelf EOAT as the control against 3D printed EOATs with infill density of 20 % and 100 % respectively. Lower power consumption was recorded as the robot manipulated the lighter 3D printed EOATs.