This innovation marks an important step towards further automation and digitalization of clamping processes. Companies benefit from a media-independent clamping device position, expanded data transmission options, and increased productivity.
With the new battery-operated clamping devices, SCHUNK offers a forward-looking solution for companies that want to capture process-relevant conditions in real-time and efficiently transmit them to the machine control. This technology is particularly attractive for industries looking to move away from costly compressed air and hydraulic solutions – whether to reduce operating costs or to avoid contamination, which is absolutely undesirable in clean rooms or the food industry.
Wireless data transmission and real-time process monitoring
For this new development, SCHUNK relies on IO-Link Wireless for wireless communication between clamping devices and machine control. For the first time at EMO 2025, battery-operated TANDEM clamping blocks of the KSE3 series and VERO-S zero point clamping modules utilizing this technology will be presented. The control and transmission of the permanently recorded conditions of the clamping devices are carried out via IO-Link Wireless and an IO-Link Master, which then transmits this information to the machine control.
A highlight in this area is the collaboration with Blum-Novotest, a specialist in BRC radio technology. If a BLUM measuring system with BRC radio technology is already in use, the new clamping devices from SCHUNK can be quickly and cost-effectively integrated into existing manufacturing processes. This saves time, reduces installation effort, and increases flexibility in production.
Same performance with less peripheral equipment and reduced environmental impact
Despite the switch to battery operation, users do not have to compromise on clamping force and gripping force. On the contrary: the new clamping devices offer the same performance as pneumatic or hydraulic systems. There are also no additional interference contours, as the actuators and electronics are fully integrated into the clamping device. Signal processing takes place directly in the clamping module, so only the IO-Link interface needs to be integrated. The new battery-operated clamping devices from SCHUNK are not only powerful but also extremely efficient: up to 1,000 clamping cycles can be performed per battery charge. This continues SCHUNK's path towards a sustainable, resource-saving, and highly productive manufacturing future.
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