P N E U M A T I C S
Getting a grip
with pneumatics Grippers are a common and useful way for machines to handle product and other items, but they must be properly selected to match the payload.
Pat Phillips • PE, Product Manager for AutomationDirect, Fluid Power and Mechanical Product Div. Prior to the industrial revolution, grippers used in manufacturing were human hands and simple implements. Automation advances and better safety practices improved upon this situation, but required a method to grip and manipulate products, components and tooling. Many of these operations are referred to as pick-and-place systems, and all need a reliable way for the equipment to move a payload. Therefore, a typical element of many modern material or parts handling equipment are the gripping components. Motion control machinery requires grippers matched to the payload so they can accurately establish a firm and controlled hold without causing damage. The grip must be maintained throughout any motions, and then released to place the payload cleanly. The first big choice when assessing grippers is deciding among electric, hydraulic and pneumatic technologies. Some applications, especially those for handling fragile product, require extremely fine control and force feedback, making electric a good fit. Other heavy-lifting applications may require the extremely high force available using hydraulics.
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10 • 2019
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10/16/19 10:44 AM
