Handling of small, sensitive workpieces is simpler with Festo gripper

Festo’s new parallel gripper EHPS offers a reliable, economic yet powerful electrically driven gripping solution for standard movements involving small workpieces.

One of the newest breakthroughs from Festo Canada is the EHPS, a powerful parallel gripper designed for standard movements with small workpieces. This electrically driven gripping solution is reliable, economic, and highly versatile. Festo recommends it for applications in electronics, small-parts assembly, special machine construction, automated medical laboratory systems, and many tasks in which pneumatics are not appropriate or a clean environment is mandatory.

Manufacturers can also use the EHPS as handling tools on two-axis gantries or on small, six-axis robots.

No need for external controllers

Thanks to its compact size and dynamic DC motor, this parallel gripper has jaws that can reach its maximum force in a mere half a millimetre of stroke. Digital actuation makes commissioning of the EHPS very simple, with no external controllers required; the user actuates it with two open/close PINs and just one signal, which eliminates the chances of uncontrolled movement.

Another advantage of the EHPS is that the user can connect it to the Festo output modules CECC and CPX with a terminal strip. Direct position sensing with the T-slots on the gripping head enables positioning feedback through direct mounting of position switches or transmitters. High torque resistance is assured with stable T-slot guidance of the gripper jaws. The unit has a latched rotary switch with four gripping-force adjustment settings, ranging from 50 to 100 per cent of maximum force, which makes the parallel gripper readily adaptable for delicate or sensitive workpieces.

In addition, the EHPS performs reliably at all times, even in the event of a power failure – during which the gripper holds the workpiece through automatic locking of the gear unit as the free wheel unit stops jamming before it occurs. By combining compact dimension with no interference contours or protruding plugs with the powerful DC motor for high forces and a strong response, the EHPS gets the job done every time.

Trust in the Festo EHPS gripper for a wide range of workpiece-handling tasks.

About the company

Founded in 1925, Festo is the world’s leading supplier of automation technology and technical education.

For more information, contact Festo.

• Tweet