Choosing the Right Tooling Gripper for Your Gripping Device

One of the most common end-of-arm tooling options is the Tooling Gripper. Simply put, a gripper is an interface between a robot or machine device and the physical world. A gripper generally acts on a workpiece (product or package), allowing the robot to grip and manipulate it while performing various tasks.

When moving products or goods through an industrial environment, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the application by correctly matching the robot's end-of-arm tool to the material being moved. However, lifting or stacking different materials requires careful consideration of many fundamental variables to avoid accidents, injuries, and downtime.

Key considerations include

- Size

- Weight

- Workpiece shape

- Access

- Environment

- Workpiece material/construction

- Movement

- Speed

Discuss whether a mechanical or vacuum gripper is the right solution for your pick-and-place packaging challenges.

Robotic grippers

Mechanical grippers generally use two or more "fingers" (also known as jaws), which are generally used to close and grip products or packages. They are a cost-effective and reliable option for many standard pick-and-place packages.

Mechanical grippers can securely hold a product or package, even at high speeds, and powerful jaws can lift and hold heavy objects. Still, without proper gripping force calibration, there is a risk of crushing fragile items. They can pick up and hold items of varying thicknesses without changing the gripper, but oddly shaped items may challenge the jaw shape and angle of the gripper.

Mechanical grippers must operate in the same environment as the workpiece, which creates a potential failure mode and requires sufficient space to drive the jaws. From there, additional space is needed to hold the workpiece from multiple sides.

Mechanical grippers are typically driven by any one of three power sources.

- Pneumatic - Since most factories use compressed air, pneumatic, mechanical grippers are the most common and easy to implement, but they lack some precision control.

- Electric - Electric mechanical grippers are available to provide precise control but are more expensive and must be housed in more extensive equipment, creating procedural and operational challenges.

- Hydraulic - Hydraulic grippers are high force and can lift larger loads, but they are expensive to maintain and have the potential for fluid leakage.

Mechanical grippers are available in four different styles.

1. Two-finger (jaw) angle style - this style is easy to apply, the same jaw can pick different size parts, and is moderately priced; therefore requires more space than a vacuum clamp.

2. Two-finger (jaw) parallel - this is versatile, can pick the outside or inside of the part, suitable for smaller spaces, flexible to pick different size parts with the same jaw; more expensive and may crush softer or more fragile products.

3. Three fingers (jaws) parallel - helpful when correct positioning is needed to move items; requires correct orientation and position of the product for a firm grip but may crush fragile workpieces.

4. Two-finger (jaw) locking - locks when jaws are closed, holding parts securely even when power is off; more expensive and requires more space than vacuum grippers.

Other less common vacuum gripper options include

- Soft grippers, which use a vacuum to drive silicone fingers to fit the product/package, creating a gentle and flexible picking solution.

- Magnetic grippers, which use giant magnets to pick up firm materials. The actuator pulls the magnet away from the workpiece to release the part.

- Airbag gripper features a rubber airbag inflated inside the workpiece to pick the part. The airbag is released to release the item.

Determining which components are suitable for your packaging application may be challenging. However, by reading the above, you can choose the right gripper based on the characteristics of each gripper combined with the characteristics of your product packaging. It would help if you were on the right track to building the perfect pick-and-place device.

To choose the right gripper in addition to knowing the functions and categories of grippers, you also need to choose a reliable gripper manufacturer. Professional manufacturers produce grippers with quality assurance, perfect after-sales service, and the best price.

POFI specializes in EDM clamping system tooling, with 15 years of experience in the field, of precision technology, customer service, managers, and our smart manufacturing 2025 (Industry 4.0) goals have accumulated a wealth of experience, welcome to consult. We provide you with the most professional clamping solutions!