I plan to order a LEHZ gripper from SMC.
Currently I write halt commands into a program, and during halts I install tools manually. With the gripper I plan to have the robot pick up tools by itself.
Apparently I need a controller for the gripper. SMC sell controllers which are compatible with this gripper - the LEC series.
From what I understand the gripper controller plugs into the robot and it is then controllable by the KRC4 (and so my src file)
Here is some information I got from SMC:
QuoteFrom the information provided, I would suggest the LEHZ would be the most suited. This gripper series must be supplied by SMC with a specific SMC controller that is programmed to retain the positional data (up to 64 lines) required to move the gripper jaws as intended. The SMC controller then receives signals as inputs to instruct the controller and gripper. Full details are shown using the link below. The SMC gripper and SMC controller are supplied under a single part number.
As I mentioned, we have no experience the KUKA controller. Most customers would control the gripper via a series of PLC outputs (the SMC controller looks for 6 step selection inputs to instruct it) so if your KUKA controller has this capacity it should be able to control the gripper but please look into this.
Can anyone give me any more details about how to set this up, or explain the above quote in less technical terms, and also give an example of the kind of commands I will need to write in my src file to control the gripper?