23 Gripper Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for grippers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 23 gripper manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked gripper companies as of November, 2024: 1.PFA, Inc., 2.Trossen Robotics, 3.Mass Automation Corporation.
Table of Contents
What Is a Gripper?
A gripper is a mechanism that grasps (grabs and holds) an object.
The shape of a gripper varies depending on the application, but the most commonly used gripper is a two-finger parallel gripper in which two parallel fingers move in a linear motion to clamp an object. This gripper is used as a device (end-effector) that functions at the end of a robot arm or linear motion mechanism.
By utilizing a gripper, it is possible to grasp, transport, and place objects of various shapes, thereby automating and increasing the efficiency of tasks that were previously performed manually.
Uses of Grippers
Various types of grippers exist in terms of the number of fingers, shape, and type of power source, but this section describes the most common two-finger parallel gripper.
There are two main types of grippers commonly used on product production lines: those with two fingers that open and close pneumatically and those with two fingers that open and close electrically. Variations in gripping force, size, and finger shape are also provided for each product.
When used in a linear motion mechanism such as a cylinder or at the end of a robot arm, the gripper is selected according to the specifications of the moving equipment to be fixed, such as matching the power source and setting the weight of the gripper to less than the payload capacity.
Gripper specifications also vary depending on the shape of the object to be gripped, and when gripping curved surfaces or fragile objects, flexible materials are used on the finger surfaces.
Principles of Grippers
Grippers can be broadly classified according to the power source: pneumatic grippers and electric grippers.
Pneumatic grippers are divided into two closed spaces inside, and when high-pressure air flows into one space, the gripper closes, and when the other space is pressurized, the gripper opens. The high-pressure air piping in the factory is connected to these two spaces, and the opening and closing operation of the gripper is controlled by switching the connection with a solenoid valve or the like.
Pneumatic grippers can be controlled by simply switching open/close valves in the air piping, so they can be operated with simple control using only relays, and their relatively simple mechanism has the advantage of being inexpensive.
Electric grippers incorporate a motor and a feed screw inside, and the opening and closing motion of the gripper is controlled by controlling the direction and speed of rotation of the motor.
Since it is operated by a motor, it is possible to construct complex controls, but a controller such as a PLC is required. Another advantage is that multiple types of objects can be grasped, and the opening and closing widths can be changed at will.
In addition, grippers with three or more fingers may be used when more complex shapes are to be grasped or when human motions are to be learned.
List of 23 Gripper Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
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- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- China
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
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PFA, Inc.
Robotic Grippers
Manufacturer Overview
PFA, Inc., established in 1980 and headquartered in Germantown, Wisconsin, United States, is a manufacturer and supplier of locking cylinders and core pull cylinders for molds and dies. The company's product range includes locking cylinders and core pull cylinders, catering to diverse industries such as injection molding, die casting, and metal stamping. Its services include design and engineering, manufacturing, testing and certification, and supply chain management, The company is devoted to providing quality locking cylinders and core pull cylinders to its customers. This passion is reflected in their ISO 9001:2015 certification.
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Trossen Robotics
Gripper
Manufacturer Overview
Trossen Robotics, founded in 2005, and located in Downers Grove, Illinois, is a manufacturer of robotics. The company specializes in robotic manipulators / arms, used by major universities and research institutions in the USA along with fortune 100 tech companies in all variety of industries. Offerings are an array of products including robot kits for hobbyists and students, encompassing frames, motors, sensors, and controllers. Additionally, the company also produces RFID products like tags, readers, and antennas, facilitating RFID-based systems for inventory management, access control, and tracking purposes.
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Mass Automation Corporation
Grippers
Manufacturer Overview
Mass Automation, founded in 1995, is a manufacturer of new application-specific automation machinery and retrofitting existing equipment. The applications include robot integration, vibratory feeding systems, servo & steeper positioning units, laser measuring systems, and destructive testing equipment for the medical, pharmaceutical, life science, electronics, and automotive industries. The company in Bourne, MA, offers services such as installation, training, technical support, an annual warranty, and integration. The equipment complies with the UL, CE, and ISO Compliant industrial standards.
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Industrial Magnetics, Inc.
Grippers
Manufacturer Overview
Industrial Magnetics Inc (IMI) was established in 1961 and is based in Boyne City, Michigan. IMI is a producer for magnetic products used in various industries such as fabrication, automotive, conveying, recycling, stamping, welding, mining & aggregate, and grain. Product offerings include magnetizers, demagnetizers, conveyor systems, magnetic conveying rail, manhole cover lift systems, raw magnetic material, lift devices, conveyor and pneumatic line magnets, magnetic inspection probes, as well as numerous magnetic tools.
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Ergonomic Partners
Grippers
Company Overview
Ergonomic Partners is a branch of Tri-State Overhead Crane, located in St. Louis, Missouri. Ergonomic Partners has a 50-year history as a turnkey solution manufacturer for material handling applications. Ergonomic Partners provides customer solutions for repetitive lifting application, precise product placement, and awkward load handling. Additionally, Ergonomic Partners provides off-the-shelf ergonomic material handling and workstation equipment with custom designed and engineered handling devices and special equipment solutions. Custom lifting devices include ergonomic lift assists, easy arms, manipulator arms, vacuum lifters, tool balancers and more
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Allied Automation Inc
RG2
Distributor Overview
Allied Automation was founded in 1981 in Indianapolis as a supplier of technology-based solutions. The company designs solutions for specific applications, such as providing cobots to help with pick and place, injection molding, packaging and palletizing, and more. Resolving packaging and converting problems with motor control, pneumatics, sensors, and PLCs and implementing valves and sensors and network construction for Process and Assembly Automation sectors. Overall they help industries such as food and agriculture, furniture and equipment, electronics and technology, metal and machining, and lots more.
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Gimatic Srl
PARALLEL ELECTRIC GRIPPERS
Manufacturer Overview
Gimatic Srl was founded in 1985 and headquartered in Roncadelle, Italy as a subsidiary of Barnes Group, based in Bristol, Connecticut. The company is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of equipment in the end-of-arm tooling market for manufacturing-based industries. The company’s product categories include automotive manufacturing, tooling & factory automation, food & beverage, home applications, and pharma & medical. Product categories for these segments include vacuums and vacuum pumps, suction cups, sensors, machines, and other components.
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Manufacturer Overview
CKD Corporation, established in 1943 under the name of Japan Aircraft Electric Co., Ltd., is a Japanese manufacturer of automation machinery and manufacturing components, headquartered in Komaki, Aichi. Their diverse portfolio includes pneumatic and fluid control components, fine system components, drive components, and labor-saving components. The company has also developed various types of automation machinery, such as transparent object inspection systems, pharmaceutical products packaging machines, and more. These products find applications in various industries, for example their automated food packaging systems are designed for maintaining food quality and hygienic conditions. Their fluid control components are used in the solar cell manufacturing process.
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MinebeaMitsumi Inc.
Gripper
Manufacturer Overview
MinebeaMitsumi Inc. was incorporated in 1951in Japan and manufactures and supplies machined components, and electronic devices and components globally. It operates through four segments: machined components, electronic devices and components, MITSUMI Business, and the U-Shin business segment. MinebeaMitsumi specializes in bearing products including spherical, roller, rod end, and ball bearings for aerospace. MinebeaMitsumi also produces products including precision mechanical assemblies, fasteners, other special components including clutches and brakes, motors, blowers, sensors and lighting devices. Additionally, MinebeaMitsumi offers its products for use in PCs and peripheral equipment, information and telecommunications equipment, household electrical appliances, automobiles, and aerospace.
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SanGo Automation Limited
Intelligent Electric Grippers
Manufacturer Overview
SanGo Automation Limited, founded in 2010 with facilities and headquarters in China, is a manufacturer of linear and rotary transmission solutions for original equipment manufacturers requiring industrial automation and in the robot field. The company's products include ball screw linear modules, sync belt linear modules, linear Motors, cam indexing drives, and planetary gearboxes. SanGo Automation Limited also develops smart motorized grippers for industrial robots. The company's clients include Samsung, Huawei, Han's Laser, BYD, and Midea.
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Kondo Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
Fulcrum Hand
Manufacturer Overview
Kondo Seisakusho Co., Ltd. based in Gamagori-city, Aichi-prefecture, is a manufacturer and supplier of specialized industrial equipment. The company's product range includes Parallel Hand, Fulcrum Hand, Chuck, Rotary Joint, and Autohand Changer Aligning Device. These tools play a role in various industrial processes, aiding in operations such as precision alignment, material handling, component installation, and machinery synchronization. They serve industries that require precision equipment and alignment. Additionally, the company offers services in quality assurance, design, manufacturing, and customer support.
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igus GmbH
3D-printed gripper
Manufacturer Overview
igus GmbH, established in 1964 and based in Cologne, Germany, is a manufacturer and distributor of technical products made using polymers for movement. Its products include injection molding frames, motor control systems, and plain bearings, and it has over 240,000 products in over 1,000,000 variations. It serves 188,000 companies from over 80 countries worldwide in 50 different industries, including packaging, automotive, and renewable energy. The company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 50001 certified, and in 2023, it recorded €1.115 billion in sales. Since 2021, the company has purchased 380 new injection-molding machines and has replaced 275 old ones.
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Shinano Kenshi
Robotic gripper
Manufacturer Overview
Shinano Kenshi Co. Ltd., founded in 1918 and headquartered in Nagano, Japan, is a manufacturer of drive systems and precision motors and also offers customized motion solutions. Its products include robotic grippers, drivers, actuators, blowers, and pumps, used in several industries, including automation, life environment, automotive, space, and assistive technology. The company stocks over 9000 drive system and motor models, and over 95% are customized. It is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO13485 certified, and it also acquired IATF16949 accreditation.
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Festo Corporation.
Gripper
Manufacturer Overview
Festo Corporation, established in 1925 and headquartered in Esslingen, Germany, is a supplier of automation technology and technical education and is ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and ISO14001 certified. It has around 33,000 catalog products, customized components, and ready-to-install solutions, including grippers, motors, and sensors used in industrial and process automation. The company won the German Future Award in 2010 and serves 300,000 customers worldwide, while its education division provides training solutions for 56,000 industrial companies and educational institutions. It registered €3.81 billion in the 2022 financial year and is available in around 60 countries, with 2,600 patents worldwide.
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Morse Manufacturing Co, Inc.
Grippers
Manufacturer Overview
Morse Manufacturing Company, Inc., founded in 1923, is a drum handling equipment manufacturer based in Syracuse, New York, USA. The company product portfolio includes drum handling solutions such as hand drum trucks, industrial drum handlers and specialized drum handling forklift attachments, among others. Their solutions cater to a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, logistics, warehousing and more. The company has custom design and manufacturing capabilities enabling them to offer tailor-made solutions and has been awarded the 2023 MHEDA's MVS (Most Valuable Supplier) award.
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Multi-Conveyor LLC
Grippers
Manufacturer Overview
Multi-conveyor was established in 1989 and is headquartered in Winneconne, Wisconsin. The company is a designer and manufacturer of custom conveyors, devices, and systems covering all facets of packaging, food grade systems, industrial applications, and material handling applications. The company works with many materials including mild steel painted and stainless steel used in industrial conveyors, multiflex chain conveyors, and pre-engineered quick ship conveyors. The company utilizes application engineering and assists customers with project management and engineering to create systems that save on initial and total costs of ownership.
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William B. Rudow, Inc.
Grippers
Manufacturer Overview
William B. Rudow, Inc. was founded in 1946 and located in Sarasota, Florida, as a manufacturer of rubber & vinyl suckers, vacuum cups, and suction cups for the printing, packaging, baking, robotics, and parts handling industries. The company produces vacuum cups using materials such as rubber, vinyl, silicone, polyurethane, and neoprene with a variety of fittings and styles. They also offer spare parts and fittings such as discs, vertical washers, metal caps, paper stop deflectors, and adapters that have applications in the automobile, aerospace, construction, machinery manufacturing, and foundry industries.
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TÜNKERS® Maschinenbau GmbH
Gripping
Company Overview
TÜNKERS GROUP, founded in 1962 and headquartered in Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier in the field of automation and assembly solutions. The company specializes in providing automation technology and its product categories include assembly automation, handling technology, and rotary indexing tables. It offers a wide range of products, including modular assembly systems, handling modules, and high-precision indexing tables. These solutions cater to diverse industries seeking efficient and tailored automation processes such as manufacturing, product handling and hauling, construction and many more.
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CHUMPOWER MACHINERY CORPORATION
HSK Gripper
Company Overview
CHUMPOWER Machinery Corporation, established in 1981 and based in Taichung, Taiwan, is a manufacturer and supplier of machinery tools. The company's product range includes drill chuck, universal chuck, tap chuck, spindle clamping system, and spindle accessorize. These products are always used for precise drilling, tapping, and spindle operations. The company serves the manufacturing, metalworking, automotive, and aerospace industries. The company also offers product customization, maintenance, technical support, and research and development services.
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Nitta Corporation
SOFTmatics
Company Overview
Nitta Corporation is an Osaka-based manufacturer and distributor of various industrial products founded in 1885. The company offers power transmission and mechatronic products, as well as intermediate components like tubings and fittings. These are used in conveyor machines, hydraulic systems, and medical devices. The company also produces industrial parts, such as molded rubber products like gaskets or diaphragms, as well as air filters and monitoring equipment like particle counters or decontamination devices. Nitta Corporation maintains a network of manufacturing facilities and sales locations in 22 countries across four continents.
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Finch Automation
Grippers
Company Overview
Finch Specialty Services was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company is and industrial distributor for pneumatic, robotic, electrical, and electronic automation equipment for a wide variety of manufacturing customers throughout the manufacturing belt of the United States. The company’s automation component product categories include robotics, motion control, pneumatics, safety, and laser marking. The company also offers technical expertise in providing factory automation installation, product customization, programming, service and maintenance.
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Shanghai WeMe Automation Ltd.
Manipulator and Robotic
Distributor Overview
WeMe Automation is a supplier of Industrial Automation Products since 2018 in China. The company deals in Modular FRL And Air Preparation And Pressure Control, Pneumatic Actuators, Accessories, Fittings, and Tubing along with Control and Vacuum Components to provide solutions for Pneumatic Automation, Machine and Motion Control, Electric Actuators, Robotics, and Machine Safeguarding. These products act as core components in the manufacturing processes of the medical, printing, packaging, electronic, and automated industries and more.
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Gripper Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PFA, Inc. |
13.5%
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| 2 | Trossen Robotics |
12.5%
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| 3 | Mass Automation Corporation |
8.5%
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| 4 | Industrial Magnetics, Inc. |
8.0%
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| 5 | Ergonomic Partners |
6.6%
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| 6 | Allied Automation Inc |
5.6%
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| 7 | Gimatic Srl |
5.6%
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| 8 | Festo Corporation. |
4.5%
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| 9 | CKD |
4.0%
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| 10 | Shinano Kenshi |
3.7%
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Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the gripper page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- MinebeaMitsumi Inc.: 85,954
- CKD: 4,660
- Nitta Corporation: 2,971
Newly Established Company
- Shanghai WeMe Automation Ltd.: 2018 (6 years ago)
- SanGo Automation Limited: 2010 (14 years ago)
- Multi-Conveyor LLC: 1989 (35 years ago)
Company with a History
- Nitta Corporation: 1885 (139 years ago)
- Morse Manufacturing Co, Inc.: 1923 (101 years ago)
- CKD: 1943 (81 years ago)
Gripper Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
- PFA, Inc.
- Trossen Robotics
- Mass Automation Corporation
- Industrial Magnetics, Inc.
- Ergonomic Partners
- Allied Automation Inc
Global Distribution of Gripper Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
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6 | 40.0% |
Japan
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3 | 20.0% |
China
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2 | 13.3% |
Italy
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1 | 6.7% |
Germany
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1 | 6.7% |
Taiwan
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1 | 6.7% |
United Kingdom
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1 | 6.7% |
List of Gripper Products
35 products are listed.
Sunk Japan Co., Ltd.
Gripper GSW-B-AGE with pgn-plus/pzn-plus and correction unit compatible shaft interface
70+ people viewing
Compatible general-purpose gripper PGN-Plus / PZN-PLUS and correction unit Advantages and benefits ■ Low cost module Use general-purpose gripper p...
Sunk Japan Co., Ltd.
ADHESO Technology Available Equipment Adhesion Gripper Adheso
50+ people viewing
ADHESO Technology Materials on Biological Technology ■ Excellent energy efficiency gripping No additional hoses and wiring ■ Grip without residue...
Sunk Japan Co., Ltd.
Inner diameter gripper sealed diaphragm system with high durable polyamide lightweight gripper Log
40+ people viewing
Advantages and benefits ■ Lightweight Support for highly dynamic applications ■ Sealed Membrane system and internal stopper Protect the spreading ...
Sunk Japan Co., Ltd.
Cleaning device cleaning unit RGG with shank interface when cleaning of clamping devices or automatic driving of machineing centers
30+ people viewing
When cleaning clamping devices and automatic driving of the machining center. The cleaning unit can be used in all machines that can supply compres...
Sunk Japan Co., Ltd.
PGN-PLUS / PZN-PLUS compatible shaft interface with gripper GSW-B
40+ people viewing
Compatible general-purpose gripper PGN-PLUS / PZN-PLUS Advantages and benefits ■ Low cost module Use general-purpose gripper pgn-plus / pzn-plus a...
Sunk Japan Co., Ltd.
Ideal for flatwork handling, spindle interface equipment with shank interface, vacuum gripper GSW-V
40+ people viewing
A vacuum gripper with spindle interface is ideal for flutting handling. Advantages and benefits ■ Low cost module Flexible automation is possible ...
