Mechanical grippers from Festo are moved by an internal drive and transform the drive motion into a gripping motion. This movement of the gripper jaws is referred to as a stroke. Depending on the stroke and gripping force, workpieces of different sizes can be gripped and handled. Grippers with a long stroke are offered by Festo in both pneumatic and electric versions.
Pneumatic grippers are mechanical devices that are used to grip and hold objects using compressed air. Pneumatic grippers are commonly used in industrial automation applications, such as in manufacturing and assembly lines, to manipulate and transport objects.
Pneumatic grippers typically consist of two or more gripper jaws, called fingers also, that are operated by a piston or a rotary actuator. When compressed air is supplied to the pneumatic gripper, the jaws move toward each other to grip the object. When the air pressure is released, the jaws return to their original position, releasing the object.
Pneumatic grippers come in a variety of sizes and configurations to accommodate different types and sizes of objects. Pneumatic grippers can be designed to grip objects with parallel or angular jaws, and they can be equipped with sensors to detect the presence of an object or to provide feedback on the gripping force.
One of the advantages of pneumatic grippers is their speed and efficiency. Because they are powered by compressed air, pneumatic grippers can operate quickly and reliably, making them ideal for high-speed applications. Pneumatic grippers are also relatively low-cost and easy to maintain.
A pneumatic gripper works by using compressed air to move the jaws of the gripper and hold an object. The pneumatic gripper typically consists of a cylinder, piston, and gripper jaws, and is connected to a source of compressed air.
When compressed air is supplied to the cylinder, it pushes the piston, which in turn moves the jaws of the pneumatic gripper toward each other. The jaws grip the object securely, and the gripper can hold it until the air pressure is released.
Opening force and closing force are two related measures of the gripping force of a pneumatic gripper.
Opening force refers to the amount of force required to open the jaws or fingers of the gripper and the Closing force, on the other hand, refers to the force that the gripper applies to the object being held when the jaws or fingers are closed.
The opening force of a pneumatic gripper can be adjusted by changing the air pressure or by adjusting the position of the gripper fingers. Some grippers also have adjustable opening force settings that can be programmed into the gripper control system.
When deciding, which pneumatic gripper is the best option, we need to bare in mind the internal and external clamping. Internal clamping refers to a method of holding a workpiece or tooling component from the inside, using an expanding mandrel or collet while external clamping, on the other hand, refers to a method of holding a workpiece or tooling component from the outside, using an external clamp or collet.
Double-acting pneumatic grippers are a type of gripper commonly used in automation and robotics applications. These grippers are actuated using compressed air and can perform both gripping and releasing actions.
Benefits of double-acting pneumatic grippers include their ability to provide strong gripping force, fast and precise operation, and compatibility with pneumatic control systems commonly used in industrial automation.
Using grippers in industrial automation enhances efficiency, accuracy, safety, and flexibility, while reducing costs and the potential for human error. This makes them a critical component in advancing modern manufacturing and production lines.