What Are Robotic Quick Change Tools?

Robotic quick change tools, also known as automatic tool changers (ATCs) or quick changers, are devices attached to the wrist of an industrial or collaborative robot to enable rapid and automated switching between different end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) or end effectors, such as grippers, cutting tools, polishing pads, or nozzles. These systems enhance a robot’s versatility by allowing it to perform multiple tasks (e.g., cutting, polishing, material handling) within a single work cell without manual intervention. Quick change tools consist of two main components:

  • Robot Side (Master): Mounted on the robot’s wrist, it connects to the robot’s control system and power sources.
  • Tool Side (Tool Holder): Attached to the end effector, it interfaces with the robot side for secure locking and tool operation.

Key Features:

  • Locking Mechanism: Pneumatic, mechanical, or spring-based systems (e.g., patented designs like TrueConnect™ or Fail-Safe) ensure secure tool attachment, often with anti-drop safety features.
  • Payload Capacity: Ranges from 10 kg to over 2,500 kg, depending on the model (e.g., Stäubli MPS: 10–2,500 kg).
  • Connections: Supports pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, or data lines for powering tools and transmitting signals.
  • Modularity: Many systems allow one robot side to pair with multiple tool sides, reducing costs and increasing flexibility.
  • Speed: Tool changes in seconds (e.g., OnRobot Quick Changer: 5 seconds).
  • Applications: Used in cutting, polishing, welding, assembly, material handling, and more, across industries like automotive, aerospace, and stone processing.

Benefits:

  • Increases productivity by reducing downtime for tool swaps.
  • Enhances flexibility for multi-tasking robots, especially in high-mix, low-volume production.
  • Improves safety by minimizing manual handling of heavy or hazardous tools.
  • Reduces costs through fewer robots needed for diverse tasks.

Relevance to Stone Processing (Limestone, Marble, Quartz):

In cutting and polishing limestone, marble, and quartz, quick change tools allow robots to switch between cutting tools (e.g., diamond blades, water jet heads) and polishing tools (e.g., diamond pads, brushes) within the same cell. This is critical for handling the distinct requirements of each material (e.g., quartz’s hardness, marble’s veining) and achieving finishes like glossy or textured surfaces.

Manufacturers of Robotic Quick Change Tools

Below is a list of leading manufacturers of robotic quick change tools, based on industry reputation, product range, and relevance to industrial applications like stone processing:

  1. ATI Industrial Automation (USA)
  • Overview: A leading manufacturer with over 25 years of experience, offering a wide range of tool changers for payloads from 8 kg to 1,350 kg (18–2,980 lbs).
  • Products: QC-7 (CRX-Ready for FANUC cobots, 7 kg payload), QC-210 (high-capacity), and custom solutions with pneumatic Fail-Safe locking. Supports air, fluid, and electrical pass-throughs.
  • Applications: Stone cutting/polishing, automotive, aerospace (e.g., deburring, material handling).
  • Why Recommended: Extensive product line, high reliability, and integration with major robots (e.g., FANUC, KUKA). Used in stone processing for tool switching in CNC-like robotic cells.
  • Website: www.ati-ia.com[](https://www.ati-ia.com/products/toolchanger/robot_tool_changer.aspx) (http://www.ati-ia.com[](https://www.ati-ia.com/products/toolchanger/robot_tool_changer.aspx))
  1. Stäubli Robotics (Switzerland)
  • Overview: A pioneer in modular tool changers (MPS series) for payloads from 10 kg to 2,500 kg, designed for high precision and harsh environments.
  • Products: MPS 130 (10–80 kg), MPS 260 (350 kg), MPS 1530 (1,530 kg), with modular pneumatic, electrical, and fluid connections. IP67-rated for wet/dusty stone processing.
  • Applications: Cutting/polishing limestone, marble, quartz; used in automotive and aerospace for multi-tool tasks.
  • Why Recommended: Durable, customizable, and ideal for wet environments like water jet cutting or polishing slurry. Proven in stone industry integrations (e.g., CMS, Breton).
  • Website: www.staubli.com[](https://www.staubli.com/us/en/fluid-connectors/products/automatic-robotic-tool-changers.html) (http://www.staubli.com[](https://www.staubli.com/us/en/fluid-connectors/products/automatic-robotic-tool-changers.html))
  1. SCHUNK (Germany)
  • Overview: Known for gripping and automation, SCHUNK offers tool changers for payloads of 25–40 kg, with a unique center bore for fluid/energy pass-through.
  • Products: SWS series (pneumatic, quick-change) and RMQC (MATCH platform) with integrated air/vacuum channels and safety locking.
  • Applications: Stone edge profiling, polishing, and material handling in construction and design.
  • Why Recommended: Comprehensive portfolio, high precision, and compatibility with stone processing robots (e.g., KUKA, FANUC).
  • Website: www.schunk.com[](https://schunk.com/us/en/automation-technology/change-systems/c/PUB_8306) (http://www.schunk.com[](https://schunk.com/us/en/automation-technology/change-systems/c/PUB_8306))
  1. OnRobot (Denmark)
  • Overview: Specializes in lightweight, collaborative robot tool changers, with the Quick Changer being the smallest and lightest (200 g, 20 kg payload).
  • Products: Quick Changer (5-second tool swap, ISO-9409-1 compliant) and Dual Quick Changer for simultaneous tool use. Patented locking mechanism.
  • Applications: Smaller-scale stone polishing or cutting tasks, especially with cobots (e.g., Universal Robots).
  • Why Recommended: Cost-effective, easy to deploy, and ideal for collaborative robots in stone workshops or small factories.
  • Website: www.onrobot.com[](https://onrobot.com/us/products/quick-changer) (http://www.onrobot.com[](https://onrobot.com/us/products/quick-changer))
  1. DESTACO (USA)
  • Overview: Offers manual and automatic tool changers for flexible, multi-tool robotic applications, with high rigidity and repeatability.
  • Products: Automatic Tool Changers (various payloads), Manual Tool Changers with air/electric ports for quick swaps.
  • Applications: Stone fabrication, automotive assembly, and heavy-duty material handling.
  • Why Recommended: Robust, versatile, and suitable for heavy stone tools like diamond saws or polishing heads.
  • Website: www.destaco.com[](https://www.destaco.com/robotic-tooling/tool-changers) (http://www.destaco.com[](https://www.destaco.com/robotic-tooling/tool-changers))
  1. Suzhou CRG Robotics Technology Co., Ltd. (China)
  • Overview: Founded in 2016, specializes in cost-effective EOAT, including quick changers, grippers, and vacuum systems.
  • Products: Robot quick changers with anti-rust design, high repeat accuracy, and multi-tool compatibility. Tested for millions of cycles.
  • Applications: Stone cutting/polishing, injection molding, and general automation.
  • Why Recommended: Competitive pricing, reliable quality, and growing presence in stone processing markets.
  • Website: www.crgeoat.com[](https://crgeoat.com/products/automatic-tool-changer) (http://www.crgeoat.com[](https://crgeoat.com/products/automatic-tool-changer))
  1. Robot System Products (RSP) (Sweden)
  • Overview: Supplies tool changers with patented TrueConnect™ locking for payloads up to 1,000 kg, with a 0.3-second change cycle.
  • Products: Customizable tool changers for transferring air, water, signals, or power, suitable for harsh environments.
  • Applications: Stone processing, welding, and heavy material handling.
  • Why Recommended: Fast, secure tool changes and durability for dusty/wet stone environments.
  • Website: www.robotsystemproducts.com[](https://robotsystemproducts.com/product-category/toolchangers/) (http://www.robotsystemproducts.com[](https://robotsystemproducts.com/product-category/toolchangers/))
  1. Zhengzhou Linghang Robot (LH-TC) (China)
  • Overview: A high-tech company focused on quick change systems, with products exported to over 60 countries.
  • Products: LH-TC tool changers with pneumatic/electrical connections, floating compensation for positioning errors, and high locking force.
  • Applications: Stone fabrication, pick-and-place, and automotive automation.
  • Why Recommended: Cost-effective, reliable, and suitable for medium-scale stone processing tasks.
  • Website: www.ltautotools.com[](https://www.ltautotools.com/) (http://www.ltautotools.com[](https://www.ltautotools.com/))
  1. SMARTSHIFT Robotics (Denmark)
  • Overview: Offers lightweight (100–400 g), modular tool changers for collaborative robots, with fast tool swaps and minimal downtime.
  • Products: Automatic tool changer clutches (mechanical, pneumatic, electrical) for payloads up to 20 kg.
  • Applications: Small-scale stone polishing or cutting, especially with cobots.
  • Why Recommended: Lightweight, modular, and ideal for flexible, low-payload stone tasks.
  • Website: www.electromate.com[](https://www.electromate.com/robotic-automation/robotic-systems-manufacturers/smartshift-robotics/) (http://www.electromate.com[](https://www.electromate.com/robotic-automation/robotic-systems-manufacturers/smartshift-robotics/))
  1. Pascal Corporation (Japan)
  • Overview: Founded in 1974, manufactures automation equipment, including tool changers, for industrial applications. ISO9001-certified.
  • Products: Tool changers with expansion clamps and gas balancers, designed for precision and efficiency.
  • Applications: Stone processing, workholding, and material handling.
  • Why Recommended: Reliable, high-quality systems for stone fabrication and other industries.
  • Website: www.pascaleng.co.jp[](https://us.metoree.com/categories/tool-changer/) (http://www.pascaleng.co.jp[](https://us.metoree.com/categories/tool-changer/))

Selection Considerations for Stone Processing:

  • Payload: Choose based on tool weight (e.g., Stäubli MPS 260 for heavy diamond saws, OnRobot for lighter polishing pads). Quartz cutting tools may require higher payloads due to material hardness.
  • Environmental Resistance: IP67-rated or HE models (e.g., Stäubli, FANUC) are essential for wet (water jet) and dusty (polishing) stone environments.
  • Tool Compatibility: Ensure changers support cutting (water jet heads, blades) and polishing (rotary pads, brushes) tools, with quick-change modularity (e.g., SCHUNK, DESTACO).
  • Precision: High repeatability (e.g., ±0.03 mm for Stäubli) is critical for edge profiling and polishing marble/quartz.
  • Integration: Verify compatibility with robots used in stone processing (e.g., KUKA, FANUC, ABB) and systems like CMS or Breton stone CNC cells.
  • Cost vs. Performance: CRG and Linghang offer budget-friendly options; ATI and Stäubli provide premium durability for high-volume production.

Summary:

Robotic quick change tools are essential for automating tool swaps in cutting and polishing limestone, marble, and quartz, enabling robots to handle diverse tasks like water jet cutting, diamond blade cutting, and progressive polishing within a single cell. Leading manufacturers include ATI Industrial Automation, Stäubli Robotics, SCHUNK, OnRobot, DESTACO, CRG Robotics, Robot System Products, Linghang Robot, SMARTSHIFT, and Pascal Corporation, each offering solutions tailored to payload, environment, and application needs. For stone processing, prioritize IP67-rated, high-payload changers from Stäubli or ATI for heavy-duty tasks, or cost-effective options like CRG for smaller operations. Contact manufacturers (e.g., www.ati-ia.com, www.staubli.com) or integrators for quotes and custom configurations, and ensure robust dust/water management to maintain tool changer performance.


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