The supplier says softer pads will help. How do I assess that?

DanielBarnes0565 · 1 Jun 2026, 18:12 UTC

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DA
DanielBarnes0565
Our gripper selection for Universal Robots UR5e handling an anodised aluminium sleeve during loading finished round parts into inspection trays in a finished-parts handling station needs a clearer comparison. Bench samples show marks on the visible cylindrical finish, and the supplier has proposed softer pads. Since we haven't agreed an appearance method, I'd like to establish one alongside an assessment of holding and release.

8 replies

NA
NathanChen1156
Replying to DanielBarnes0565

Does the customer have an appearance inspection method? Get that and the cosmetic zones on the drawing beside the samples before comparing pad materials.

16 points
DA
DanielBarnes0565
Replying to NathanChen1156

The drawing marks the outside cylinder as visible. Our pictures are just phone shots under workshop lights; nobody has linked them to the customer's inspection method.

19 points
NA
NathanChen1156
Replying to DanielBarnes0565

Request that procedure and compare handled samples with untouched references under it. A softer pad is worth including as a candidate to reduce marking.

21 points
WI
WillCarter1009
Replying to NathanChen1156

Softer pads can hold grit and drag on release. Your suggestion could sound like material softness is the main thing to optimise.

0 points
NA
NathanChen1156
Replying to WillCarter1009

@WillCarter1009 Fair point; I gave softness too much emphasis. Compare geometry, actual surface condition and release as well. Softer is a candidate, not the expected winner.

7 points
DA
DanielBarnes0565
Replying to NathanChen1156

Would a marked sample and an untouched one from the same batch be enough to avoid blaming the gripper for incoming scratches?

11 points
TH
TheoBrown0932
Replying to DanielBarnes0565

That helps, and photograph each sample before contact too. Separate pieces from one batch can still arrive with different marks.

15 points
ZA
ZaraBarnes0569
Replying to TheoBrown0932

If lighting changes whether you can see a mark, which result counts?

8 points

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