6-Axis Manipulator for 3D Laser Engraving Machine

The customer runs a 3D laser engraving machine and has to load and unload heavy parts many times per shift. Each part must be lifted, turned and tilted into the right position inside the machine, while the space around the machine is very tight. Handling by hand is tiring and risks hitting the engraving head.

FullSharp designed a dedicated 6-axis pneumatic manipulator ("zero-gravity arm") for this machine. In the test run the arm carried a 35 kg load, yet one operator could lift, lower, turn and place it with one hand; when released, the load simply stays in place. To match the customer site, the base was made very compact, with casters for moving and leveling feet to lock it in position during work.

6-Axis Pneumatic Zero-Gravity Manipulator for a 3D Laser Engraving Machine

FullSharp 6-axis pneumatic manipulator for a 3D laser engraving machine, tested with a 35 kg load before delivery.

Installed equipment

6-axis pneumatic balancing arm: parallelogram arm with a balancing cylinder plus rotary joints at the end, so the load moves in every direction and turns into the right position for the machine.
Compact mobile base: steel base designed around the customer floor plan, casters for relocation and hand-wheel leveling feet to fix it firmly during work.
Air tank and pressure unit: on-board air tank, filter regulator, balancing valve, safety check valve and tank safety relief valve.
Control box and axis brakes: switches to lock and release the arm brake and the positioning brakes of each axis, holding the load still for precise work.

Key specifications

Equipment6-axis pneumatic manipulator
ApplicationLoading and unloading a 3D laser engraving machine
Test load35 kg
PowerCompressed air, with its own air tank
BaseMobile, compact, with leveling feet
Position lockArm brake and positioning brake on each axis

Benefits for the factory

Feels weightless

The 35 kg load is fully balanced, one operator handles it with one hand without strain.

Precise placement

Six axes of motion and a brake on each axis put the part in the right pose and keep it clear of the engraving head.

Fits the floor space

The compact base is built around the real space beside the machine and can be moved for maintenance or relocation.

On-site installation photos

6-Axis Pneumatic Zero-Gravity Manipulator for a 3D Laser Engraving Machine - photo 1

6-Axis Pneumatic Zero-Gravity Manipulator for a 3D Laser Engraving Machine - photo 2

6-Axis Pneumatic Zero-Gravity Manipulator for a 3D Laser Engraving Machine - photo 3

6-Axis Pneumatic Zero-Gravity Manipulator for a 3D Laser Engraving Machine - photo 4

6-Axis Pneumatic Zero-Gravity Manipulator for a 3D Laser Engraving Machine - photo 5

6-Axis Pneumatic Zero-Gravity Manipulator for a 3D Laser Engraving Machine - photo 6

6-Axis Pneumatic Zero-Gravity Manipulator for a 3D Laser Engraving Machine - photo 7

6-Axis Pneumatic Zero-Gravity Manipulator for a 3D Laser Engraving Machine - photo 8

Click a photo to enlarge. 8-photo album taken on site.

Test run videos

Test with a 35 kg load: one operator moves the arm in every direction with ease

Lifting, lowering and turning the 35 kg load with one hand; it stays wherever it is released

Suitable applications

Loading and unloading laser engraving and laser marking machines
Loading CNC and machine tools where parts must be placed at an angle
Assembling heavy parts that need lifting, turning and tilting at once
Workshops with tight floor space that need mobile equipment

Get a solution for your factory

Send FullSharp photos or drawings of the part, its weight, the placement inside the machine and the floor space around it. We design the manipulator and gripper to suit and test with a real load before delivery.

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