How to Choose a Robot Gripper
Made in the USA
Start with the part: its shape decides parallel or angular and two-jaw or three-jaw; its weight and the move's acceleration decide grip force; and whether parts vary decides pneumatic or electric. Parallel two-jaw pneumatic grippers cover most rigid parts.
Parallel or angular? Two-jaw or three-jaw?
Parallel
Jaws close straight onto the part. Predictable contact and easy to tool.
Angular
Jaws pivot clear of the part. Good for confined picks or a wide opening from a small body.
Two-jaw
For parts with two opposing gripping surfaces.
Three-jaw
Self-centering on cylinders, discs and bottles.
Pneumatic or electric?
| Pneumatic | Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Fixed-cycle picks of one part | Varying part sizes; delicate parts |
| Force for size | High | Moderate, programmable |
| Stroke / force control | Fixed (open/close) | Programmable |
| Feedback | Sensors optional | Position feedback built in |
| Utilities | Compressed air | Power and signal only |
What to send EAC
- The partDrawing or model, weight, material and surface.
- Pick and placeClearance around the part and orientation at each end.
- The carrierRobot make, model, payload and flange, or the gantry or slide it mounts to.
- MotionAcceleration and speed, which set grip force.
- Part variationHow many parts one gripper or cell must handle.
- EnvironmentCleanroom, washdown, chips or coolant.