In the automation industry, gripper mechanisms are essential components in every production line. They are capable of grasping parts of various shapes and sizes and moving them from one location to another. Grippers are used in industries such as automotive, electronics, food, lithium batteries, photovoltaics, panels, and more. Today, we will share the principles of some common mechanical gripper mechanisms. Let’s take a look.

1.Parallel Parallelogram Gripper Mechanism
The parallelogram mechanism is a commonly used gripper design that consists of two sets of parallel grippers. A transmission system makes the two grippers move in linear motion relative to each other, thus tightening and releasing the object.

Parallel parallelogram grippers are mostly used for grasping flat-shaped workpieces or those with parallel surfaces.

2.Rotary Gripper Mechanism
Rotary grippers refer to grippers that rotate around a specific axis to grasp and place workpieces. These grippers are usually made up of the gripper mechanism, a rotary cylinder, or a servo motor.

The servo motor, connected through a synchronous wheel and belt, can rotate the gripper. A rotary cylinder only needs compressed air, controlled by an electromagnetic valve, to rotate and drive the gripper mechanism.

3.Worm Gear Gripper Mechanism
The worm gear mechanism is one that uses a worm and worm wheel to grip or release objects. It mainly consists of a worm, worm wheel, gripper, and related machine parts.

The motor drives the worm to rotate, which meshes with the worm wheel, causing it to turn. The rotation of the worm wheel is then converted into linear motion for the gripper through linkages and other connecting parts, allowing the gripper to open and close for gripping and releasing products.

4.Gear Gripper Mechanism
The gear mechanism is another commonly used gripper design. It uses gear meshing and transmission to grip and release products. Gear mechanisms can be divided into internal and external meshing types and provide large gripping force and stability.

This type of gripper is suitable for high-strength gripping applications, such as in heavy-duty machinery or precision equipment.

5.Three-Jaw Chuck Mechanism
The three-jaw chuck is a common mechanical gripper, primarily used to grasp circular workpieces. It works by synchronously moving three grippers radially to tighten and release the circular workpiece.

Inside the chuck, there is a conical disc. When the drive motor operates, the conical disc pushes the three jaws along radial tracks, moving them toward the center or outward, thus clamping or releasing the workpiece.

6.Vacuum Gripper Mechanism
A vacuum gripper creates a vacuum environment on its suction surface, using atmospheric pressure differences to grip and hold the workpiece. The gripper is usually equipped with a vacuum generator.

When the vacuum device is activated, the air between the suction surface and the workpiece is evacuated, creating negative pressure. The workpiece is then firmly attached to the gripper under the influence of atmospheric pressure.

7.Electric Gripper Mechanism
Electric grippers consist of a servo motor, linear motion mechanism, and gripper. Typically, a servo motor is used as the power source, converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. By controlling the motor's rotation direction and speed, the opening and closing movements of the gripper are controlled.

Electric grippers are suitable for precise and high-speed applications in various industries.

8.Pneumatic Gripper Mechanis

Pneumatic grippers are the most commonly used type of gripper. They use compressed air to control the movement of the gripper.

By controlling the extension and retraction of the pneumatic cylinder, the gripper can hold or release the workpiece. Pneumatic grippers offer fast speed and high flexibility, making them ideal for operations that require quick gripping speeds and high frequencies.