Introduction
Handling oddly-shaped bottles can be tricky, especially when the neck is angled, causing the center of gravity (CoG) to shift. In fast-paced automation environments, if the gripper doesn’t account for this imbalance, things can go south quickly. That’s where Anubis 3D’s expertise in custom end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) and additive manufacturing comes into play.
In this article, we’ll explore the challenges of gripping angled-neck bottles, the science behind the issue, and how our engineered solution delivers both performance and stability.
The Application: Bottle Gripper for Angled Necks
Picture a robot picking up a 1L bottle—but not just any bottle. This one has an angled neck, and the robot is gripping it only at the neck. Sounds simple? Not quite.
Due to the angled design, the bottle’s mass isn’t evenly distributed. As a result, the object rotates under its own weight. Without a specially designed EOAT to counteract that side torque, the bottle can easily tilt, swing, or even fall, especially during fast, dynamic motions.
The Challenge: Shifted Center of Gravity (CoG)
Let’s break down the physics.
For a vertically upright bottle with a straight neck, the CoG is usually located along the central vertical axis, just below the midpoint. That’s because most of the bottle’s weight comes from the liquid-filled base.
Now, tilt that neck to one side, and things change. The material of the angled neck and possibly even a portion of the liquid, shifts away from the center. This asymmetric mass distribution causes the CoG to move in the direction of the angled neck.
Why does that matter? Because it introduces rotational torque. During motion, this off-centered mass can make the bottle behave unpredictably unless the gripper is engineered to handle it.
Implications in Industrial Automation
Here’s why this problem needs serious attention in automation settings:
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Gripping Stability: An unbalanced load leads to instability. A typical gripper might lose control of the bottle mid-transfer.
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EOAT Design Requirements: The EOAT must be tailored to offset the shifted CoG and compensate for directional torque.
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Orientation Sensitivity: Fast pick-and-place movements amplify these imbalances, increasing the chance of swinging or falling bottles.
Clearly, off-the-shelf tooling just won’t cut it.
Anubis 3D’s Solution: Smart Engineering + Additive Freedom
To address this complex challenge, our team at Anubis 3D developed a custom end-of-arm tool using our innovative Single Actuated Gripper (SAG) system. This EOAT is uniquely engineered to account for the angled bottle neck, providing reliable grip and orientation control.
Here’s how we made it work:
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Precision Compensation: The gripper design directly adjusts for the offset CoG caused by the angled neck.
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3D Printed Advantage: We leveraged the full design freedom of additive manufacturing to create custom geometries that would be costly, or even impossible, with traditional machining.
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Streamlined Mechanism: The SAG system keeps actuation simple yet effective, reducing mechanical complexity.
This approach reflects our deep understanding of both mechanical design and advanced manufacturing. The result? A gripping solution that performs reliably, even in fast-cycle robotic automation.
Why This Matters
Industries like food packaging, beverage bottling, and pharmaceuticals deal with unique product shapes every day. A universal gripper won’t always cut it. Custom EOATs, especially those produced via 3D printing, offer tailored precision that improves performance and reliability.
Whether it’s a short batch run or a high-speed line, solutions like this reduce error rates, minimize waste, and increase overall system uptime.
Key Takeaways
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Bottles with angled necks shift their center of gravity, creating handling challenges.
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Generic grippers fail to account for torque caused by off-center CoG.
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Anubis 3D’s custom EOAT using the SAG system delivers balance, grip, and control.
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Additive manufacturing enables rapid, cost-effective customization.
Let’s Talk Custom EOAT for Your Application
Do you face similar gripping challenges in your automation workflow? Whether you need to handle unique shapes or reduce part complexity, Anubis 3D is here to help.
Contact us to learn how our bottle grippers and custom EOAT solutions can support your operations.
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The post Bottle Gripper for Angled Necks: How Anubis 3D Solves Center of Gravity Challenges with EOAT appeared first on ANUBIS 3D.
source https://anubis3d.com/bottle-gripper-angled-neck-eoat-solution/
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