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ATI Industrial Automation: Tool Changers and Force/Torque Sensing
ATI Industrial Automation, a Novanta company, supplies robot tool changers and force/torque sensors. Compare QC-7 and QC-18, Axia sensing and a June 2026 bin-picking case with practical integration requirements.
ATI supplies robot tooling and sensing within Novanta
ATI Industrial Automation is a robotic tooling and sensing business based in Apex, North Carolina, and became part of Novanta in 2021. Its current official site presents tool changers, force/torque sensors and other robot accessories. This profile covers ATI within Novanta, with a procurement focus on Components, Control & AI. A tool changer or sensor is part of the robot's end-of-arm assembly; the robot arm, process engineering and completed production cell need their own defined supply scope.
QC-7 and QC-18 use different actuation methods
The QC-7 is pneumatically actuated and lists a suggested payload limit of 16 kg. The QC-18 uses electrical actuation and lists an 18 kg suggested payload limit. The latter can suit applications without an air supply for changer actuation. These figures are selection starting points: compare the model's moment capacities with tool mass, centre of gravity, acceleration and process forces. Include the changer, adapters, services and workpiece in the robot wrist load calculation.
A tool-changing station needs more than two coupling plates
ATI's product catalogue includes tool changer modules and stands alongside the mechanical changers. Plan the master side, each tool side, utility connections and storage positions as one system. Specify which signals, electrical loads and fluids must pass through the interface and whether the chosen modules fit the required changer. The cell sequence must confirm tool presence and locked status before movement. Define recovery for a misplaced tool, incomplete coupling or interrupted exchange, and provide a practical maintenance route to the docking positions.
Force/torque sensing must match the measuring task
ATI's force/torque sensor range measures forces and moments for tasks such as assembly, finishing and contact detection. The Axia80-M20 specifications illustrate why calibration range and communication interface must be selected explicitly. Rated measurement range, resolution and overload capacity describe different properties. Choose the force and moment ranges from normal process loads as well as possible impacts, and confirm interface compatibility with the robot controller. Sensor feedback alone does not implement a stable force-control process.
A June 2026 bin-picking case identifies the deployed sensor
In a case study published on 22 June 2026, ATI reports that integrator Automation Intelligence used an Axia90 sensor for a major automotive OEM. The application added pick verification and response to unexpected contact, with deployment in an active production environment. ATI reports reduced scrap from double picks without publishing a numerical improvement or identifying the OEM. In-motion weight verification is described as further exploration. The case supports an application discussion; it does not establish performance for another part mix or sensor model.
Mechanical mounting and data handling affect useful results
A sensing package needs defined mounting geometry, cable routing and coordinate conventions. Ask whether the offer contains a bare transducer or a kit: the Axia80 kit page describes a packaged integration option. Confirm the actual adapter plates, cables and power accessories in the quote. During commissioning, establish biasing, tool mass compensation, filtering and the mapping of sensor coordinates to the robot tool frame. Test the effect of cable forces and process vibration before setting thresholds, and record a repeatable method for checking the installation after tool changes.
Define acceptance, maintenance and spare tooling in advance
Provide tool mass, centre of gravity, wrist orientation, peak process loads, change frequency and environmental conditions.
Specify required utilities, communication protocol, controller version, sampling needs and calibration documentation.
Test tool exchange repeatability, lock confirmation and controlled recovery with representative production tools.
For sensing, agree detection thresholds, nuisance-stop limits, part variation and acceptance over a representative production run.
Use the official manuals for the selected changer, modules and sensor configuration. Agree inspection intervals, wear parts, calibration or repair arrangements and stocked replacements. Process contact detection should not be assumed to provide a certified personnel protection function.
Send the complete end-of-arm requirement for supplier review
Contact ATI through its official sales and technical enquiry route with robot flange drawings, tool drawings, loads and process goals. Confirm the regional seller and division of responsibility between ATI, the robot supplier and the cell integrator. Use the robot buyer guide to assemble the application brief and the RFQ route to request a defined scope. Request pricing, lead time and support terms for the selected bill of materials rather than extrapolating from a catalogue model name.