End-of-arm tooling with Festo

Definition, use cases, benefits, and success stories relating to end-of-arm tooling

Maximum precision and flexibility are required in modern industrial automation. Production processes must be efficient, reliable, and adaptable in order to meet the increasing demands on quality, costs, and productivity. This is where end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) comes into play – the solution for automated material handling, assembly, packaging, and many other applications.​

End-of-arm applications in various industries

Automotive industry​

Whether classic automotive body production or the future field of electric mobility – Festo offers tailor-made solutions for automotive production. Our Suction Spiders – specially developed vacuum gripper systems – handle sheet metal parts quickly and precisely in the press and body shops. They ensure stable processes and enable high cycle rates. Ready-to-install systems that seamlessly combine electric and pneumatic drive technology are used for assembling battery packs and electric motors. The result: reliable, automated processes with high energy efficiency.

Food processing and packaging​

Festo offers efficient automation solutions for the food and packaging industry – from sensitive product packaging to logistics. Soft grippers enable gentle and hygienic handling of sensitive products such as fruit, poultry, or baked goods in primary packaging. In secondary packaging, our systems ensure precise grouping and positioning – even with changing formats. In palletizing, intelligent multiple grippers stack cartons quickly and independently of shape – reliably and in a space-saving manner. This allows packaging processes along the entire line to be automated reliably, flexibly and economically.​

Electronics Industry​

Whether microelectronics, photovoltaics or electric mobility – Festo offers high-performance solutions for the highly precise and economical production of electronic components. In assembly and testing of electronic modules, including odd-form assembly, our systems ensure exact motion sequences and reliable test results – even for complex or non-standardized components. When sorting solar cells, our handling solutions ensure high cycle rates and material-friendly processes to precisely transport and separate sensitive cells. In battery cell production, precisely coordinated components enable stable, automated processes with a high level of process reliability – for example when stacking, filling or sealing.​

Life Science​

Festo offers precise and reliable automation solutions for life science applications – ideal for laboratory environments with high demands on cleanliness, repeatability, and efficiency. When gripping and turning microtiter plates and sample vials, our compact handling systems ensure precise movements in the smallest of spaces – quietly, quickly, and cleanroom-compatible. For opening sample tubes, we supply torque-controlled solutions that handle a wide variety of tube types safely and gently – for reproducible results in every application. Our automation components also support precise liquid dosing during pipetting – from single samples to high-throughput analysis. Festo brings efficiency and safety to every process step – for reliable results in research, diagnostics, and production.​

Machine tools.​

Festo increases the efficiency of machine tools – ideal for production-related applications with the highest demands on reliability and effectiveness. When loading and unloading machines, even with sheet metal grippers, our systems ensure dynamic and safe handling – even with high quantities and challenging materials. Festo makes it easy to automate format adjustments that were previously carried out manually. This saves time, reduces sources of error, and increases flexibility when changing products. In quality control, our solutions enable the integration of precise measuring and testing processes directly into the workflow – for seamless control without additional cycle time.​

Agriculture​

Festo brings automation to modern agriculture – especially for sensitive and multi-variant processes in plant cultivation and harvesting. When separating seedlings or plants, our flexible gripping and handling systems enable gentle separation and precise placement – ideal for automated planting systems. Even when harvesting fruit and vegetables, adaptable grippers ensure safe handling of delicate fruit – without bruising, with high repeat accuracy, and efficiency. This is how Festo ensures greater productivity and consistently high quality​

Our free engineering tools save time and deliver a perfect result​

​Festo provides you with a variety of free tools, such as tools for calculating gripper dimensioning, vacuum dimensioning, pneumatic dimensioning, and electrical dimensioning. You can also find expert support in our practical Handling Guide Online. How to find the right automation solution.​

​Do you have questions or need support? Get in touch with us!​

Festo offers innovative solutions for end-of-arm tooling that are tailored to the specific needs of your industry. Discover our comprehensive portfolio and let our experts consult with you.​

Here, you will find answers to frequently asked questions about end-of-arm tools and their applications

What is end-of-arm tooling (EOAT)?

End-of-arm tooling includes all gripping systems and tools that are mounted on the robot hand or on an axis or handling system in order to grip, move, or process objects.​

What are the advantages of end-of-arm tooling from Festo?

Festo EOAT solutions and Festo end effectors are modular, precise, and energy-efficient. They enable flexible adaptation to various applications in industrial automation. With Festo, you have a "technology-neutral" partner: From mechanical grippers, whether pneumatic or electric, to vacuum cups with connectors. Festo's expertise also covers the entire automation pyramid.​

What are the types of gripping systems?

There are pneumatic grippers, electric grippers and vacuum grippers, which are used depending on the material, weight, and application.​

How does EOAT contribute to automation?

EOAT makes robots and handling systems versatile and increases efficiency in production, assembly, packaging, and logistics through precise workpiece handling.

What are modular robot grippers?

Modular grippers enable individual adaptation to different workpieces and processes by using flexibly configurable components.

Why are pneumatic grippers popular in the industry?

Pneumatic grippers are fast, robust, and cost-efficient in workpiece handling. They are particularly suitable for high-speed applications in manufacturing and assembly.

How does Festo support automation in logistics?

Festo optimizes the automation of storage and conveying processes with intelligent gripping systems, vacuum technology, and robot peripherals.

Which industries particularly benefit from EOAT solutions?

EOAT is used in the automotive industry, electronics production, food processing, medical technology, and agriculture.

Are there engineering tools for planning gripper systems?

Yes, Festo offers free engineering tools for gripper dimensioning, vacuum design, and pneumatic and electrical calculation.

How sustainable are Festo's automation solutions?

Festo develops energy-efficient systems that minimize energy consumption (both compressed air and electrical energy) and offer smart control options for resource-saving production.​