Industrial manipulators make it safer and easier to lift and carry objects that are heavier and/or have somewhat unconventional shapes. Using it strong and flexible arm, the industrial manipulator can easily pick, move and place such objects outside its own center of mass. The ability of the industrial manipulator arm to rotate and tilt in any desired direction also means the industrial manipulator can pick objects from places that are not easily accessible to human labour. Due to these unique design features, industries deploy industrial manipulators to move objects that exceed human capacity for manual lifting.
Difference between industrial manipulator and balancer
The working of industrial manipulator might seem similar to a balancer. However, the two units differ significantly in that the manipulator is more flexible. The FineLift industrial manipulator from Fine Handling has a parallelogram with articulating joints to ensure easy reach for holding the component. With this, the operator can move the material to desired direction with ease.
On the other hand, our twin-rope Air Balancer is a perfect zero gravity balancer, which balances loads up to rated capacity as required using only air-pressure as the power source. The Balancer is ideal for compact installation and quick pick & place operations.
Take a look at the table below to gauge the difference between the two units
| Industrial manipulator | Balancer |
| Arm can move in multiple defections | Uses wires to only move objects up or down |
| Built to handle objects with unconventional weight and profile | Designed only for lightweight standard objects |
| Can move objects outside its center of mass | Objects have to be centered properly to be lifted without trouble |
| Is not comprised of wires | Fine Handling Air Balancer has two instead of one wire for added safety |
Benefits of using an industrial manipulator
Less exertion and improved safety for workers
Apart from bringing ease and speed to movement of unusually heavy and oddly shaped objects, intelligent industrial manipulator design also contributes to a healthier worker and better workplace. In the design of all industrial pick and place solutions at Fine Handling, we prioritize creating a healthy and efficient workplace.
Repetitive motions in handling of simple objects such as boxes can become a troublesome back or joint injuries for the workers, over a period of time. It also reduces the productivity of the process. Use of industrial manipulator not only decreases the amount of aches and fatigue related injuries in the work place but also reduces the insurance claims entered because of such injuries or accidents.
Saving on labour costs
Manual pick and place operations often involve significant number of labourers. This increases accident risks, and entails high costs in the short as well as long term. Lifting manipulator devices enable one operator efficiently handle the job. What’s more, pick and place operations have for long been dominated by men due to the heavy lifting work involved. With the lifting industrial manipulator device, women too can perform the same job without any hassle. Mechanizing the heavy lifting process with the industrial manipulator less fatigue for human employees even as they are able to move a higher volume of goods with increased ease and efficiency.
Selecting a suitable manipulator
The industrial manipulators available in the market are of multiple types and diverse capacities. Fine Handling offers a range of FineLift industrial manipulators which compact and modular, portable as well as customized design. The capacity of Fine’s manipulator lifting devices ranges for our manipulators include 250 kg, 150 kg, and 80 kg. When choosing an industrial manipulator, a firm must consider 4 key factors.
Properties of material to be moved
This is the prime consideration that impacts your choice of the machine. You should consider not only the weight and shape of the material to be handled but also some of its finer properties. This includes factors such as the sensitivity, perishability and chemical properties of the object. The speed, direction and distance at which you have to move the object, and how frequently will the objects need to be moved. To take a few examples, sectors such as food and beverage have specific hygiene requirement. Similarly, handling chemical drums can be a tedious as well as dangerous task.
Fine Handling’s product line is a versatile one. There are FineLifts available to fit any product weight specifications and size dimensions.
Workspace dimensions
Industrial manipulators have a working radius. Whether to choose a manipulator with a large or a small working radius will depend on the limitations of space in your workplace. When choosing an industrial manipulator, consider typical space factors such as the space available for placing and operating the unit, the width of the aisle, the type of rack, and the ceiling height. The working radius of the manipulators also affects their price in that manipulators with a higher working radius will cost more.
FineLift solutions are available in multiple mounting options so that the unit can comfortably fit into the dimensions of most work areas.
Power supply
The power, ergonomics, accuracy and speed of the industrial manipulator is determined by the type of power supply it has. Industrial manipulators could be hydraulic, pneumatic, electric or manual. If you are working in a sensitive environment, pneumatic manipulators is the right option for you.
Types of grippers
Again, depending on the type of objects you are handling, you need to choose the right grippers for the industrial manipulator unit. Fine Handling customizes the grippers to make it application specific, so that your solution will be uniquely crafted to best fit the duties it is expected to perform.
Types of gripper to consider include
- Vacuum lifter
- Suction cups
- Pliers
- Hooks
- Magnet
- Handling crate
- Chucks
With Fine Handling’s 15+ years of expertise in designing and developing grippers, you get assured gripping solution. We customize every gripper based on the design of the component, utilizing pneumatic, mechanical, or vacuum power sources. In case of a specific requirement magnetic gripper or even a tackle can be used to hold the component.
Leading manufacturer of industrial manipulators in India
Enabling Indian businesses with world-class solutions is at the heart of work at Fine Handling. Designed in a dedicated R&D facility in Pune, our products are focused on enhancing the safety and productivity multifold. With more than 30 products and systems, over a decade of experience and over 1200 installations, Fine Handling works as a total solution provider for all your lifting and handling needs.
To choose user-friendly, efficient, and reliable material handling solutions, drop us a mail at sales@fine-handling.com