The Lead Center Fluid Power Industry in Schwalmstadt has developed a new seal for what is known as an end-of-arm tool. Deliveries to Amazon Robotics began in late 2023.
In mid-October of last year, the Schwalmstadt plant delivered its first series order for a newly developed seal to the United States. “We had actually been in contact with Amazon Robotics on some other projects,” Simon Biesenroth recalled. “In early 2022, they let us know about a problem with a particular seal, which did not meet its needs as a standard part.” The basic goal was to create a secure vacuum while reducing associated friction. Eight channels in which a vacuum is created run through the existing end-of-arm tool, which lifts packages. The U.S. company needed a way to maintain the vacuum. Amazon turned to Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) for a solution.
New Seals for each End-Of-Arm Tool
The product development department in Schwalmstadt took on the problem and developed a seal that simultaneously took the stresses from the arms’ many movements, and the available installation space, into account. “Longevity, in particular, played a major role. Nine seals were installed in each end-of-arm tool. Once they are in place, they have to function flawlessly for a long time,” Biesenroth, a chemist, said. FST produced the first part using Freudenberg Xpress®. Amazon Robotics tested them, was satisfied with their performance, and gave the greenlight for series production.
Aside from its happiness with the seal’s quality, the company said it was pleased FST could begin deliveries from series production in October – in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. During these strong sales periods for Amazon, downtime is especially unwelcome. Amazon Robotics is planning to equip all its existing end-of-arm tools with the seals from Schwalmstadt in the future.
What Does the Term “End-of-Arm Tool” Refer to in Robotics?
Robust industrial robots that transport heavy parts have been replaced by modern robot systems that work side by side with their human colleagues in manufacturing or logistics processes. Robotics experts refer to the tools and devices attached to the robot’s arm as end-of-arm tools (EOAT). They are often gripping systems, such like those used in warehouses, among other environments.
