COMPUTER-AIDED EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF OPTIMUM GRIPPERS

The paper presents a methodology (suitable for flexible manufacturing systems) for the evaluation and selection of an optimum gripper, either at the time of changing over from one job to another in the completely automated industry, or at the time of purchase of grippers and robots from the world market. The method is based on a multiple attribute decision-making approach called 'TOPSIS' which is suitable for computer programming. Pertinent attributes have been identified. A comprehensive classification and coding scheme for grippers is developed. The selection procedure has been illustrated with the help of an example.