Visualization of the operating state of vacuum gripping systems in human-robot-collaboration applications

Abstract Visualization of the operating state and process monitoring are desirable features in vacuum handling processes. Conventional suction cups of vacuum grippers do either not offer said feature or only to a limited extend. Especially with the emerging human-robot-collaboration knowledge and visualization of the current operating state and safe process monitoring are crucial. A stand-alone connector aligned between a suction cup at the workpiece and central vacuum generation on a robot offers flexible and precise system monitoring while at the same time optically informing users about permission to move and errors.