Vacuum Gripper

[benlawson]

Hello Johannes + Robot Community,

I was hoping to gain some insight on vacuum grippers like this one:  http://i.vimeocdn.com/video/510541064_1280x720.jpg

I'm interested in 3d printing a gripper like this to pick up small objects (no larger than a brick) just as a fun project.  I haven't worked with anything like this before, so I'm learning as I go.  How much vacuum generation would be necessary to pick up a piece of foam like that?  Has anyone 3d printed a gripper like this?  Is it reasonable that something like this could work?

Thanks,
Ben

[Johannes @ Robots in Architecture]

Hello Ben,

That one is a FIPA vacuum gripper: http://www.fipa.com/en_GB/products/2357872-vacuum-grippers
It's optimized for porous objects with several outlets that close themselves if they are not used, in case you are not using the entire width of the gripper. So duplicating that is definitely possible, but not easy. If it's just about vacuum generation, basically any compressor will work, and you can probably get an ejector cheap from eBay.
I don't really have  any "hard numbers" for the specs of the components, though - but I'm confident that it won't be very demanding for a block of foam. It will just be important to achieve a good seal.

Best,
Johannes