Technical Foundation
What Is a Grippers and Accessorie?
A gripper is the end-of-arm tooling that physically contacts and holds a part for a robot or automated system, and selection starts with actuation type: pneumatic grippers are fast, simple and cost-effective for high-cycle applications with binary open/close needs, while electric grippers offer programmable force and position control useful when handling varying part sizes or fragile components that need controlled grip force. Vacuum grippers use suction cups instead of mechanical jaws, suited to flat, non-porous parts like sheet metal or glass that mechanical jaws can't easily grip from the side.
Gripping force must be calculated with margin above the part's weight and the dynamic forces of the robot's acceleration and deceleration during the move cycle — a gripper sized only for static holding force can drop a part during a fast robot motion. Jaw configuration (parallel, angular, three-jaw centric) is chosen based on part geometry: three-jaw centric grippers self-center round parts, while parallel grippers suit flat-sided or rectangular parts.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Actuation Type | Pneumatic, electric, hydraulic | Pneumatic suits high-speed binary open/close; electric adds programmable force/position control |
| Gripping Force | Rated at jaw stroke, sized with margin over static + dynamic load | Must exceed the part's weight plus acceleration forces during robot motion, not just static weight |
| Jaw Configuration | Two-jaw parallel, angular, three-jaw centric | Match to part geometry — three-jaw centric self-centers round parts, parallel suits flat sides |
| Stroke Length | Per-finger travel distance, model-specific | Must accommodate the part's dimension range if handling varying part sizes |
| Repeatability | Sub-millimeter positioning repeatability in most industrial grippers | Critical for precision assembly and pick-and-place applications with tight tolerances |
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Applications
Where Grippers and Accessories Get Used
Grippers are specified anywhere a robot or automated system needs to physically grasp, lift, or reposition a part as end-of-arm tooling.
Robotic Pick-and-Place Automation
Parallel and angular grippers handling parts between conveyor, fixture and packaging stations.
CNC Machine Tending
Robotic grippers loading and unloading parts from CNC machines in automated cells.
Assembly Line Automation
Electric grippers with programmable force handling delicate or varying-size components during assembly.
Sheet Metal & Glass Handling
Vacuum grippers lifting and positioning flat, non-porous sheet material without mechanical jaw contact.
Packaging & Palletizing
Grippers handling cartons, cases and packaged goods in automated palletizing cells.
Brands
Grippers and Accessories Brands in the Catalogue
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FAQ
Grippers and Accessories Questions, Answered
Should I choose a pneumatic or electric gripper?
Pneumatic grippers are simpler, faster and more cost-effective for high-cycle applications needing only binary open/close operation. Electric grippers cost more but offer programmable grip force and position control, useful when handling parts of varying size or when controlled, adjustable force is needed to avoid damaging fragile components.
How do I calculate the gripping force I need?
Size gripping force with margin above the part's static weight to account for dynamic forces during robot acceleration and deceleration — a gripper sized only to hold the part's weight at rest can drop it during a fast move cycle. Most gripper manufacturers publish sizing guidance factoring in typical robot dynamics.
When should I use a vacuum gripper instead of mechanical jaws?
Vacuum grippers suit flat, non-porous parts like sheet metal, glass or smooth plastic where there's no accessible edge for mechanical jaws to grip, or where jaw contact could mark or damage the part surface.
What's the difference between parallel and three-jaw centric grippers?
Parallel (two-jaw) grippers suit flat-sided or rectangular parts and move both jaws symmetrically inward. Three-jaw centric grippers automatically self-center round or cylindrical parts as all three jaws close simultaneously, which is important for consistent part positioning in precision applications.
Do grippers need custom fingers for each part?
Often yes — the base gripper mechanism is typically a standard product, but custom or interchangeable finger tooling is machined or 3D printed to match the specific part's contact geometry for a secure, non-marring grip.
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