Pneumatic grippers expand application areas

Pneumatics & Hydraulics

April 2001 Pneumatics & Hydraulics

The introduction of new precision parallel grippers Type HGPP and micro-angle grippers Type HGWM have expanded Festo's range of grippers and its modular handling and assembly technology system. These new precision grippers are ideal for handling and clamping tasks requiring high gripping and repetition accuracy, together with special micro grippers for handling small and very small workpieces.

An outstanding feature of Festo's new pneumatic precision parallel grippers Type HGPP is their long, backlash-free, roller-bearing, gripper-jaw guides in a robust steel housing. Festo claims a first-time capability of achieving a repetition accuracy of better than 0,02 mm - together with the ability to handle higher torque values than plain-bearing guides.

Stroke detection is by means of Hall sensors. An option is available for a gripping-force back-up by means of an opening or closing spring. It is also possible to fit a hold-down device in the jaw area to absorb process forces. The grippers can be connected either directly or via adapters to the components of Festo's modular system such as HMP handling axes, SLT mini-slides and DRQD twin-piston rotary cylinders.

Features:

* Available in three sizes with piston diameters 12, 16 and 20 mm.

* Gripping force per gripper jaw at 600 kPa: 60, 110 and 170 N.

* Opening strokes 5, 10 and 15 mm.

* Operating pressure 300 to 800 kPa.

* Closing time less than 0,1 s.

* Gripper replacement accuracy better than 0,05 mm due to a dowel-pin system.

The new micro-angle grippers Type HGWM are good for handling small components. They are small single-acting grippers with an opening or closing spring and a service life of over 20 million operating cycles. The piston diameters are 8 and 12 mm, and the permissible maximum torque ranges from 20 to 50 Nm. The micro grippers can be mounted in many different ways, such as using their male threads or cylindrical clamping flanges, or by means of spring-loaded length compensators on the longitudinal axis of the gripper. The HGWM is thus suitable for all applications where space is limited and speed and long service life are vital.

Precision parallel and micro angle grippers expand Festo's well-proven existing range of parallel, radial and 3-point grippers. As a complement to its mechanical grippers, Festo also offers a range of vacuum suction cups with over 2000 variants.

Festo

(011) 974 6741

[email protected]

www.festo.de

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Pneumatics & Hydraulics

Pneumatic grippers expand application areas

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