A Semi-Empirical Fluid Dynamic Model of a Vacuum Microgripper Based on CFD Analysis

Vacuum microgrippers are devices used to handle and manipulate small objects. Despite their simple working principle low cost, they show efficiency in detaching performance, especially when the object be grasped is very small. In this work, a particular design for vacuum with an incorporated automatic release tool considered. The final goal of study was present numerical model that can supply reliable estimates aerodynamic force acting on air flow rate inside gripper as function geometric parameters outlet pressure value. A complete CFD analysis simplified device presented. Grid independence also performed define suitable grid guarantee good trade-off between accuracy computing time. According Design Experiments (DOE) techniques, 81 simulations were performed, changing values (p2), body inner diameter (D), lateral holes’ (d) releasing mass length (L). Every variable could assume three different values. Linear regression, based least square method, employed determine lifting empirical correlations.