Markforged Reinforced: How to Design a 3D Printed Vacuum Gripper

Turning a design into a physical part that you can use in your manufacturing process is easier than ever with 3D printing. But how do you quickly design a custom part that can safely and securely move difficult-to-grip parts with large surfaces?

End-of-arm tools like vacuum grippers are a great example of parts that can be custom-made for each job but often incorporate other off-the-shelf components. In this video, we'll show you how to make a strong, custom-printed part like this.

We’ll do a deep dive into the design considerations you need to make when designing for additive, like how to:

• Design internal channels that maintain strong air suction
• Size part features to be compatible with on-the-shelf hardware
• Properly utilize support overrides to your advantage

Check out the video for a comprehensive tutorial on designing a custom end-of-arm vacuum gripper that incorporates off-the-shelf parts. By the end of this video, you will be able to design a single EOAT that's strong, reliable, and easy to install.