5 LearningGripper: self-learning gripper system for positioning round objects Production in a state of flux Networking is omnipresent in the vision of future production. Centralised plant control will continue its evolutionary development and, at the same time, greater use will be made of the opportunities afforded by decentralised self-organisation. Equipment and systems will understand their environments in the future and communicate with each other. Self-configuring and self-learning systems will lastingly shape production processes in the factories of tomorrow. Their development will lead to quick, simple and reliable commissioning. With the help of machine learning capabilities, independent execution of complex tasks will be made possible without the need for extensive programming. As a global manufacturer of pneumatic and electric automation technology, Festo’s core business is helping to shape the factory of the future and providing its customers with tailor-made solutions to achieve this – as either complete production systems or individual components. New perspectives offered by nature Nature frequently provides us with astonishing inspiration and new approaches to solutions. This is why Festo founded the Bionic Learning Network. In collaboration with renowned universities, institutes and R&D companies, Festo is closely involved with the testing of possible gripper technologies based on biological models. The best known example is the FinGripper which is now part of Festo’s product range as the adaptive gripper (DHDG). In order to grip objects, it exploits a natural attribute of the fish fin. Instead of bending away when pressure is applied at the side, it wraps around the pressure point. The NanoForceGripper uses the same effect to ensure that the adhesive gecko film is gently released from the gripped goods, with minimal energy consumption. The PowerGripper imitates the kinematic system of a bird’s beak. The developers have succeeded in taking things one step further with the LearningGripper as an R&D model: a gripper which is capable of learning, thus showing great potential for the future. FinGripper: adaptive gripping based on the principle of the fish tail fin PowerGripper: optimised force-weight ratio thanks to bird beak kinematics NanoForceGripper: energy-efficient gripping using the gecko as a model
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