In almost every industry, pneumatic grippers are essential to performing operations. Since they can pick, hold, assemble, and pack the material efficiently, they have become the basic need for every industry. Their different designs and features make them a flexible choice for every task.

There is a wide variety of pneumatic grippers that come in multiple shapes and sizes. They have different designs, too. People often get confused while choosing the right gripper for their needs.

Here, we have listed all the important factors and features that will help you choose the right gripper. Read till the end to learn more about your needs and which gripper to choose. 

What are Pneumatic Grippers Used for?

You can use pneumatic gripper tools to lift, move, or handle objects. They work with air pressure. The pressurized air makes the piston move back and forth, and that’s how the operation occurs in grippers. You can use them for various reasons. 

• Manufacturing: Pneumatic grippers are the essential components in factories. They can be useful in building things like cars, electronics, and household appliances. In the manufacturing of cars, pneumatic grippers can move or hold the wiring or bolts and make the manufacturing process smoother. 
• Packaging: Pneumatic grippers accurately handle delicate items and prevent them from getting damaged. They are also helpful in arranging food items like fruits or baked items without any damage. 
• Robotics: Pneumatic grippers can also be a good option for completing automated tasks. Their placement is on robotic arms that are movable from one place to another. These pneumatic robot gripper designs are usually for precise tasks like assembling small parts.
• Electronics: In electronic manufacturing, where tiny delicate items need careful handling, pneumatic grippers do this job efficiently. They can handle tiny items like circuit boards, microchips, or wires firmly but gently to avoid damage. 

Pneumatic grippers are important because they can perform various tasks related to assembling, packing, picking, holding, and placing. They are reliable and efficient and can fit with automated systems as well. That is why they are a go-to option for industries that intend to improve their productivity accurately. 

Basic Design of Pneumatic Grippers 

The design of Pneumatic grippers is simple yet highly effective. Their design helps them to grip and handle various kinds of objects carefully. The key aspects of its design are as follows.

Pneumatic Actuation  

It works with air pressure. Compressed air makes the jaws or fingers move back and forth, and the gripper performs the task with this movement. The air pressure determines how strongly the gripper can hold the object. 

• Higher pressure means the gripper has a tighter grip and can handle even heavy objects.  
• You can choose lower air-pressure grippers for a gentle grip on delicate items. They are the best option for fragile items like glass or thin metal sheets. 

Gripping Mechanism 

The gripping mechanism is what makes the gripper hold the object securely. The design of the jaws or fingers touches and holds the item directly. You can customize these jaws and fingers in different shapes and sizes depending on your requirements. 

This flexibility in customization makes these grippers suitable for all kinds of purposes. They can lift heavy items as well as handle delicate materials too. 

• A pneumatic gripper holds the object tightly but gently so it won’t fall off or break. 
• Once the operation is done, it releases the object by reducing its air pressure in the gripper. 

Types of Motion

Another reason pneumatic grippers are versatile is that they offer different types of motion to meet your requirements. Every task requires a different movement, and the pneumatic gripper from reliable pneumatic gripper manufacturers can easily handle each one. 

• Parallel Motion: In this movement, the jaws move in straight lines in back or forth motion. They are perfect for holding cubical or cylindrical-shaped objects. For example, holding some machine parts or assembling the products in straight lines. 
• Angular Motion: The jaws make movements in a scissor-like motion. They open or close at a certain angle to handle objects of different shapes. For instance, this movement can handle objects with curved edges or irregular surfaces.
• Radical Motion: This movement can handle spherical or round-shaped objects like pipes, balls, or oddly shaped items. They move in a circular or radial pattern.

Key Components of Pneumatic Grippers

The credit for this reliable and effective performance goes to the key components of the pneumatic gripper. Each part of the gripper is important and plays an important role in completing the task efficiently. The following are the key components of a pneumatic gripper.

Gripper Jaws or Fingers

They are parts that touch or hold the object. Their different shapes and sizes can move in different directions depending on the task. You can also find them in different materials. For example, they can be made from metal for heavy objects and rubber for delicate ones.

Their size, shape, and material customization ensure that they can handle any kind of item securely and complete the operation without making any errors.

Actuator and Piston

The gripper works with the air pressure. With the help of compressed air, the piston moves and causes the jaws to open or close. The actuator and piston are the main components that convert the air pressure into mechanical energy.

The actuator and piston convert the gripper’s speed and ensure they perform the task accurately. 

Seal and Bearing

Leakage in grippers can lead to system malfunction or any other safety hazards, whether from the inside or outside. Seals and bearings play an important role in protecting the system from such damage and preventing the air from leaking. 

Using a seal and bearing of high quality will not only give the best performance but will also increase the lifespan of the gripper. 

Gripper Body

All the components perform their specific task very well, but there must be something to hold them together in the form of a gripper. The gripper’s body does this by holding all the internal components in one place. 

It gives it a stricture and a well-designed body that protects the components in tough working conditions. 

Advanced Features in Pneumatic Grippers Designs 

Modern pneumatic grippers are perfect if the operation requires more efficiency and advancement. They have advanced features to handle complex tasks. 

Force Control Mechanism 

In this feature, the gripper can decide how much force it needs to hold the object. This control of the force can allow them to handle delicate items, and at the same time, they can lift heavy weights as well without damaging any of them.

Sensors and Feedback Systems

In factories, if one doesn’t fix the mistakes immediately, it can lead to huge losses. That is why the pneumatic grippers’ sensors ensure they stop such damage at once. 

These sensors monitor the accuracy of the jaws and force application on them. If they notice a slight fluctuation, like the jaws squeezing material too hard or stopping from dropping the object, they instantly send this information to the system to prevent damage. 

Anti-slip Coating and Jaw Material 

The gripper can securely handle slippery, delicate, or heavy items without dropping them. You can coat the gripper’s jaws with a special material that improves the grip. 

Dust and Water Protection

The reason for the jamming and stoppage of grippers can be dust and water. But advanced grippers protect from such issues. Their design allows them to work in harsh environments. For example, dust-protected grippers can be a good option for mining operations, whereas water-protected can be useful in tasks where washing is common, like food processing plants. 

Choose the best Partner for Pneumatic Grippers.

The key to getting the best outcome from the gripper is to choose the design of pneumatic grippers that work perfectly based on your tasks and requirements. 

One of the most trusted names in the industry for grippers is FOYE. They provide high-quality products and the ones that meet the standards and requirements of your operations. Whether you want the gripper for lightweight objects or heavy loads, FOYE always provides the best gripper with the most reliable performance. 

Besides that, they never lack in offering advanced and innovative features that can easily perform complex tasks. They have a wide range of products, and the perfect piece for you will always be available. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right gripper can be a bit difficult, but keeping some factors in view can help. Ensure the gripper you are choosing will be able to handle your object. Your gripper’s size, shape, and design depend upon the weight it needs to lift and the operation it needs to perform. 

Not only this, but the pneumatic grippers can also vary in the way they move. It depends upon the kind of materials you need to work on. If the material is lightweight and fragile, go for grippers with a soft touch. However, to lift heavy loads, choose a strong and durable gripper. 

And if you are still unsure about the perfect gripper, you can blindly choose a trusted brand, FOYE. It provides the best quality product to do our job effectively and will also offer a long-lasting tool designed just for your requirements.

FAQs 

What kind of object can a pneumatic gripper hold?  

Pneumatic grippers can hold any kind of solid item. Whether lightweight, heavy, delicate or any type, a pneumatic gripper can handle it very efficiently. 

Can pneumatic grippers work in harsh environments? 

Yes. Since dust and water are the two main reasons for system damage, pneumatic grippers have built-in features that prevent the components from getting damaged by dust or water. 

How do you maintain pneumatic grippers? 

To make the grippers last longer last longer, keep regular maintenance checks on them. 

• Keep checking the seals and bearings for any leaks or damage. 
• Cleaning the dust or debris from it can also save it from malfunctioning 
• If the air pressure is less than usual, it means that there is an issue with the gripper.

Are pneumatic grippers’ energy efficient?

Yes, the advanced pneumatic gripper designs allow grippers to use energy efficiently. They can handle delicate and weighted items at the same time.

Can pneumatic gripper handle complex tasks?

Yes, pneumatic grippers have advanced features such as a force control mechanism, sensor and feedback system, anti-slip, and coating system. These features allow the grippers to carry out complex operations.