Rapid Manufacturing of Robotics Components for a US Robotics Company
How custom stainless steel robotic gripper components were developed and dispatched within 4 days.
An engineering-led manufacturing case study covering drawing interpretation, material specifications, custom component manufacturing and time-sensitive international procurement from India.
Manufacturing custom robotics components often involves more than machining a part to a drawing. Engineers must consider component geometry, material requirements, mounting interfaces, dimensional relationships and compatibility with the intended robotic assembly.
In this project, Manufyn supported a US-based robotics company with the manufacturing of custom mechanical components for an OnRobot 2FGP20 gripper. The requirement involved a stainless steel connection corner manufactured against the customer’s engineering drawing.
The supplied drawing identified the component as Connection Corner – GARRA 2FGP20 OnRobot, with drawing reference AD-105. The specified material was AISI 304 stainless steel.
The manufacturing activity was coordinated around a compressed project schedule, and the developed parts were dispatched within four days.
Project observation: This project demonstrates how responsive manufacturing coordination can support robotics companies that require custom mechanical components within short development timelines.
Understanding the Manufacturing Requirement
Robotics equipment frequently uses application-specific mechanical interfaces. These components connect grippers, actuators, mounting plates, end effectors and other mechanical assemblies.
Unlike standard fasteners or catalogue components, custom connection brackets and mounting components must follow the customer’s engineering definition.
For this project, the requirement was to manufacture the connection corner according to drawing AD-105. The drawing specified a 186 mm overall length, a 19.05 mm section dimension, five M5 mounting holes and specified edge chamfers.
The important project considerations were:
- Understanding the customer’s 2D engineering drawing.
- Following the specified AISI 304 stainless steel material.
- Maintaining the mounting-hole configuration.
- Understanding the component’s application in the robotic gripper assembly.
- Coordinating manufacturing within a short turnaround window.
The project required close coordination between the engineering requirement and the manufacturing activity rather than relying on standard off-the-shelf components.
Component Engineering Specifications
Engineering drawings provide the manufacturing definition required to convert a design into a physical component. They communicate dimensions, material, hole locations, geometric features and other manufacturing requirements.
The following information is taken from the supplied customer drawing, AD-105.
| Drawing Parameter | Specified Value |
|---|---|
| Component Name | Connection Corner |
| Application | OnRobot 2FGP20 Gripper |
| Drawing Number | AD-105 |
| Material | AISI 304 Stainless Steel |
| Overall Length | 186 mm |
| Section Dimensions | 19.05 mm × 19.05 mm |
| Other Indicated Dimension | 10 mm |
| Mounting Holes | 5 × M5 |
| Edge Chamfers | 5 × 45° |
| Drawing Quantity | 2 Pieces |
| Surface / Treatment | Natural |
Engineering note: These specifications are transcribed from the customer drawing. The complete drawing, including its tolerances and all dimension references, remains the controlling manufacturing document.
Why AISI 304 Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel 304 is an austenitic stainless steel commonly selected for industrial components requiring corrosion resistance, durability and general-purpose mechanical performance.
In robotics and industrial automation, material selection depends on the operating environment, component loading, assembly requirements and expected service conditions.
Important engineering characteristics
- Corrosion resistance: Suitable for many industrial environments where resistance to atmospheric corrosion is required.
- Fabrication: AISI 304 is widely used in manufactured and fabricated industrial components.
- Mechanical performance: Offers a useful combination of strength and ductility for many general engineering applications.
- Availability: It is a commonly available stainless steel grade within industrial supply chains.
Material selection should always be evaluated against the application rather than assumed from the component’s appearance. For this project, AISI 304 was the material explicitly specified by the customer.
Further reading: Stainless Steel CNC Machining and 304 Stainless Steel CNC Machining Guide .
Manufacturing Coordination for Robotics Components
Manufacturing a custom robotics component requires translating the engineering drawing into an executable manufacturing requirement.
Manufyn coordinated the project with reference to the customer’s drawing and delivery requirement. The following describes the key stages involved in managing this type of custom manufacturing project.
Engineering Drawing Review
The drawing was used to identify the component geometry, material specification, overall dimensions, mounting-hole configuration and other indicated features.
Manufacturing Requirement Coordination
The manufacturing requirement was coordinated against the drawing and the customer’s requested turnaround time.
Component Development
The manufacturing activity was coordinated to develop the required connection corner in accordance with the supplied drawing.
Dispatch Coordination
The project was managed against the customer’s timeline, enabling dispatch of the developed parts within four days.
For a broader understanding of manufacturing planning, refer to our guides on CNC Machining Processes , CNC Machining Workflow and Design for Manufacturability (DFM) .
Four-Day Manufacturing and Dispatch Timeline
One of the defining aspects of this project was the short turnaround requirement.
Manufyn coordinated the manufacturing requirement to achieve dispatch within four days.
Project result: Parts dispatched within 4 days.
The four-day figure refers to the manufacturing and dispatch timeline communicated for this project. It should not be interpreted as a guaranteed international transit or delivery time.
Short manufacturing timelines depend on several interrelated factors, including drawing readiness, material availability, manufacturing capacity, process selection and coordination.
For additional technical context, explore:
Engineering Considerations for Robotics Components
Custom robotic mounting components can appear simple when viewed independently. However, their function depends on their relationship with the larger assembly.
1. Mounting-hole positioning
Hole locations determine how a component interfaces with the mating assembly. Hole pitch, thread specification and positional relationships should be interpreted directly from the engineering drawing.
For this component, the customer drawing indicates five M5 mounting holes.
2. Component geometry and fitment
The overall length and cross-sectional dimensions influence the available mounting envelope and interface with adjacent components.
Drawing interpretation should therefore consider the complete geometry rather than individual dimensions in isolation.
3. Material selection
Stainless steel, aluminium and engineering plastics are all used in robotics manufacturing. Their suitability depends on the application, load, weight requirements, operating environment and assembly constraints.
Read more about Aluminium CNC Parts for Robotics and Engineering Plastics for Robotics .
4. Drawing tolerances and inspection planning
Dimensional tolerances define the acceptable variation in manufactured features. For components that interface with robotic assemblies, the specified tolerances must be understood before selecting measurement and inspection methods.
Related technical resources:
What This Project Demonstrates
This project illustrates several important aspects of international manufacturing coordination.
Custom components do not always require long lead times
Manufacturing lead time is influenced by component complexity, material availability, process selection and supplier readiness. A clearly defined drawing and coordinated manufacturing requirement can help reduce avoidable delays.
Engineering drawings are the foundation of manufacturing
A detailed drawing provides the information required to communicate the component’s material, geometry and manufacturing requirements between the customer and manufacturing partner.
Manufacturing coordination is important for global buyers
Overseas customers need effective communication, manufacturing coordination and delivery planning when working with suppliers in another country. These activities become particularly important when timelines are compressed.
Robotics manufacturing requires a broad supplier base
Robotics equipment incorporates different mechanical, electrical and polymer components. Access to manufacturing capabilities across multiple processes can support the development of complete assemblies.
Explore Manufyn’s broader Robotics Manufacturing Knowledge Hub for additional engineering and manufacturing topics.
Further Reading: Robotics and Precision Manufacturing
The following resources provide additional technical information for engineers, product developers, procurement professionals and robotics manufacturers.
More Manufacturing Case Studies
Actual manufacturing projects provide useful insights into how engineering requirements are translated into manufactured components.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can robotics components be manufactured from engineering drawings?
Yes. Custom robotics components can be manufactured using customer-supplied 2D engineering drawings and 3D CAD models. Drawings communicate material, dimensions, hole positions, tolerances and other manufacturing requirements.
What materials are commonly used for robotic gripper components?
Common material choices include aluminium alloys, stainless steel and engineering plastics such as PEEK, Nylon, Delrin and other application-specific polymers. Selection depends on load, weight, wear, environmental conditions and design requirements.
Can custom robotics components be manufactured within four days?
Some custom manufacturing requirements can be completed within very short timelines, depending on drawing readiness, material availability, component complexity and manufacturing capacity. In this Manufyn project, the developed parts were dispatched within four days.
Does Manufyn support robotics manufacturers in the USA?
Manufyn supports international customers with access to Indian manufacturing capabilities, including custom mechanical components, CNC machining, engineering plastics, rapid prototyping and procurement coordination.
What information is required to manufacture a custom robotic component?
A manufacturing enquiry should ideally include a 2D engineering drawing or 3D CAD file, material specification, required quantity, applicable tolerances, surface finish requirements and delivery expectations.
What is the role of a procurement partner in robotics manufacturing?
A procurement partner can coordinate manufacturer identification, drawing communication, quotations, manufacturing follow-up, quality activities and logistics. This helps overseas engineering teams manage manufacturing requirements in another country.
Explore the Manufyn Manufacturing Knowledge Hub
Continue learning about engineering, manufacturing processes, materials, quality and global procurement.