FFT produces lightweight grippers using CFRP

FFT Produktionssysteme GmbH & Co. KG, based in Fulda, Germany, has introduced FibreTEC, a modular carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) profile system designed to replace aluminum in robotic gripper and handling systems. This innovation addresses the common challenge of weight in gripper components, allowing manufacturers to enhance load capacity without necessitating larger robots.

FibreTEC profiles are significantly lighter, weighing 2.8 kg/m, which represents a weight reduction of up to 41% compared to aluminum profiles. The profiles feature a square 80 × 80-mm cross-section and are available in lengths from 150 mm to 6,000 mm. Each profile is constructed from wound CFRP with drop-forged aluminum deflection points at the ends, which include integrated threads for direct connection to aluminum tool plates, minimizing installation time and supporting a modular construction approach.

The production of FibreTEC involves a robot-guided winding process where aluminum deflection points are automatically loaded, and CFRP fiber is wound around them. The profiles undergo a 48-hour curing and tempering cycle, followed by inspections for dimensional accuracy, load-bearing capacity, and surface quality.

FFT highlights the reduced moving mass on a robot arm as a primary advantage, which enhances achievable dynamics without the need for higher-payload robots. This also results in reduced material and energy consumption compared to aluminum. Beyond grippers, FibreTEC is applicable in plant and special machine construction, robotic arms, end-of-arm tooling, and modular test-stand designs.

As an example, FFT describes a scissor-lift system using FibreTEC profiles and the FFTlightweight Integral frame, which achieved a weight saving of 1.7 metric tons compared to a previous steel structure, along with improved cycle times and energy efficiency. FibreTEC is part of FFT's broader lightweight portfolio, which also includes FibreTEC 3D wound structural components and the FFTlightweight Integral hybrid carbon gripper frame.