Glossary · Robotics
Gripper
Also known as: Robot gripper, Grasping device
German: Greifer
In robotics and handling, a gripper is an end effector that grasps, holds and releases objects, by force closure, form closure or adhesion such as vacuum or magnetism. Common types are mechanical finger grippers, vacuum grippers and magnetic grippers.
- Robotics
In one sentence
A gripper is an end effector that grasps, holds and releases objects mechanically, by vacuum, magnetism or other principles.
Example
The gripper uses exchangeable jaws so the same machine tending robot can hold round blanks and square flanges.
How it applies
- Engineering: Gripper selection depends on part geometry, mass, surface, cycle time and what happens on energy loss. Gripping force, stroke and the part's acceleration determine whether the part stays in the gripper during fast motion.
- Commissioning: Part-present and jaw-position sensing are set and tested; gripping force is adjusted to hold the part without damaging it.
- Maintenance and documentation: The documentation team should describe grip-force adjustment, jaw changes, sensor setup and how to release a gripped part safely after a stop. Pneumatic grippers may hold Stored energy or keep clamping after shutdown, which must be stated in the operating and maintenance instructions.
Gripper vs. end effector
A gripper is one kind of End effector. Tools that process rather than hold, such as welding torches, are end effectors but not grippers.