Jaws on the sides of these grippers open wider than standard grippers to handle large or long items. They use air pressure to open and close the jaws in a parallel motion, like elevator doors, for a consistent gripping force in either direction. This lets you grab parts from the outside or open the jaws inside hollow parts to grab them when the outside is hard to grip. You’ll also need gripper fingers (not included).

External force and internal force describe how hard the gripper can squeeze your part at the fingertips, also called the gripping distance. The less friction there is between the part and fingers, the more force you’ll need to lift a part. Typically, you’ll need a force that’s about 10 times the part’s weight, but an oily part might need a force about 20 times its weight. However, air pressure and finger length also affect the ideal force. Click on a part number and select "Product Detail" to view a chart that shows how external or internal force changes as the gripping distance changes.