Holding a rigid spacer block less squarely than before (tray loading)

RachelBrooks0870 · 28 Apr 2026, 19:21 UTC

Reply to discussion
RA
RachelBrooks0870
Our setup uses Universal Robots UR5e for tray loading with a rigid spacer block in a supervised production bench. We've repeatedly adjusted pickup points as handling becomes unreliable. Although the tray appears unchanged, the grip no longer looks as square. I'd like an inspection sequence that helps us identify the cause before making further teaching changes or attributing it to the arm.

13 replies

SA
SamCarter1029
Replying to RachelBrooks0870

Look at the relationship between the workpiece and fixture before contact, then during gripping. Can your existing observations show when the change in angle begins?

21 points
RA
RachelBrooks0870
Replying to SamCarter1029

In the footage, it sits consistently in the checked fixture and turns during gripping. So the crooked position isn't there at the start.

18 points
SA
SamCarter1029
Replying to RachelBrooks0870

Keep a copy of the current configuration and hold off on further coordinate changes. Under the appropriate isolation procedure, maintenance can use the observed rotation to focus inspection on tooling contact, mounting and tray seating.

15 points
RA
RachelBrooks0870
Replying to SamCarter1029

I've checked the maintenance history and found a pad replacement preceding the initial pickup-point correction. That establishes a relevant sequence of changes to investigate.

14 points
SA
SamCarter1029
Replying to RachelBrooks0870

The timing suggests the replacement is responsible. I'd check whether the pads were installed in the specified configuration.

20 points
ZA
ZaraAli0221
Replying to SamCarter1029

The sequence makes pad installation worth investigating, but it doesn't establish causation. Fixture variation remains a possible contributor even with that maintenance history.

-5 points
SA
SamCarter1029
Replying to ZaraAli0221

You're right; the history supports a check, not a conclusion. Inspect the pad installation and gripping surfaces while retaining tray location in the investigation.

17 points
JA
JamieBell0643
Replying to SamCarter1029

On my own setup, we found worn contact surfaces and inconsistent tray seating together. Fixing only the pickup point made the symptoms move around.

9 points
RA
RachelBrooks0870
Replying to JamieBell0643

@JamieBell0643 With multiple point changes already in our history, I'm unsure how to distinguish tooling and tray effects. How did you structure that comparison on your setup?

14 points
JA
JamieBell0643
Replying to RachelBrooks0870

@RachelBrooks0870 We kept a known reference configuration and had maintenance check one condition at a time. We didn't roll back points blindly after finding wear.

10 points
HA
HassanBell0617
Replying to JamieBell0643

Why not just go back to the original points once the gripper's checked? Aren't those the good ones?

11 points
SA
SamCarter1029
Replying to HassanBell0617

The original points are only a suitable reference if the confirmed tooling, frames and presentation still match. Have the responsible technician review those relationships before planning a supervised check.

20 points
RA
RachelBrooks0870
Replying to SamCarter1029

@SamCarter1029 The relationship between the initial points and the present setup hasn't been verified. I'm retaining the current configuration instead of assuming the original positions would restore a known condition.

19 points

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