1 Large jaw stroke, normal gripping force
2 Normal jaw stroke, high gripping force
GA Gripping force lock for outer gripping with integrated springs for increased gripping forces
GI Gripping force lock for inner gripping with integrated springs for increased gripping forces
1 Large jaw stroke, normal gripping force
2 Normal jaw stroke, high gripping force
GA Gripping force lock for outer gripping with integrated springs for increased gripping forces
GI Gripping force lock for inner gripping with integrated springs for increased gripping forces
Persons with no experience in working with gripping installations are exposed to particular danger due to incorrect
behaviour, particularly during set-up work due to the gripping movements and forces occurring.
Gripping installations may therefore only be operated, adjusted or repaired by persons specifically qualified or
trained for this work, or who have many years of experience in this work.
II. Risk of injury
For technical reasons, this unit may consist partly of sharp-edged individual parts. Particular care must therefore be
taken to avoid injury when working on these parts!
1. Installed energy accumulators
Moving parts preloaded with compression springs, tension springs of other springs or with other elastic elements
represent a hazard potential due to their stored energy. Underestimating this potential can result in serious injuries
due to projectile-like individual parts flying around uncontrolled. This stored energy must be relieved before further
work can be carried out. Gripping installations to be dismantled must therefore be examined for such potential
sources of danger using the corresponding assembly drawings.
If the relief of this stored energy cannot be carried out without danger, the dismantling may only be carried out by
authorised personnel.
2. Calculation of the necessary gripping forces
If this gripping installation is intended to hold or clamp the workpiece against machining forces exerted from the
outside, the machining forces involved in a given machining process must be determined and provided with a safety
allowance commensurate with the calculation method and the machining operation. The gripping installation must
then be able to generate at least the gripping forces calculated in this way.
3. Use of other/further clamping inserts/workpieces
The necessary minimum clamping force must always be determined when using other clamping inserts or
workpieces.
1.Clamping of other/further workpieces
If special clamping sets are provided for this gripping installation (jaws, clamping inserts, systems, alignment
elements, position fixators, tips, etc.), only the workpieces for which the clamping sets were designed may be
clamped in the intended manner using these clamping sets. If this is not observed, insufficient clamping forces or
unfavourable clamping positions may result in material damage or personal injury.
If further or similar workpieces are to be clamped with the same clamping set, written approval must therefore be
obtained from the manufacturer.
4. Gripping force check
Gripping force check (general)
In accordance with standard EN 1550 § 6.2 No. d) for rotating work holding chucks which can also be applied to
stationary clamping installations in this one point, static gripping force measuring instruments should be used to
inspect the maintenance condition at regular intervals in accordance with the maintenance manual. This prescribes
that a gripping force check should be performed after approx. 40 operating hours, irrespective of the clamping
frequency.
If necessary, special clamping force measuring jaws or instruments (load cells) must be used for this.
5. Strength of the workpiece to be clamped
In order to ensure reliable gripping of the workpiece with the applied load forces, the clamped material must be
strong enough to withstand the gripping force.
Non-metallic materials such as plastic or rubber, etc. may only be clamped after testing and under particular
observation!
6. Installation and adjustment work
During clamping or alignment movements, etc., short distances are travelled in short times, in some cases with high
forces.
The drive system provided for the gripper actuation must therefore always be switched off during installation and
adjustment work. If the clamping movements are essential during set-up mode, however, then for clamping strokes
longer than 4 mm
- A fixed or temporarily installed workpiece holder must be installed on the device, or
- An independently actuated holding device must be installed,
or
- A workpiece loading aid must be provided,
or
- The set-up operations must be performed in hydraulic, pneumatic or electric jog mode (corresponding control
must be possible!).
The type of this set-up aid depends fundamentally on the machine tool employed and may have to be procured
separately!
The machine owner must ensure that during the whole clamping process, any danger to persons from the
movements of the clamping means is ruled out. For this reason, either 2-hand controls for actuation of the clamping
movement or - even better - corresponding guards must be provided.
7. Tightening and replacement of bolts
If bolts are replaced or loosened, faulty replacement or tightening may result in dangers for persons and materials.
For this reason, the tightening torque recommended by the bolt manufacturer and corresponding to the bolt grade
must always be used for al mounting bolts unless expressly specified otherwise.
The following tightening torque table applies for all the standard sizes M5 - M24 for grades 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9:
If replacing the original bolts, always use bolt grade 12.9 in case of doubt. The grade 12.9 must always be used for
the mounting bolts of clamping inserts, top jaws, fixed stops, cylinder covers and comparable elements.
All mounting bolts which due to their intended use have to be frequently loosened and tightened again (e.g. due to
tooling work) must be coated with lubricant (grease paste) every six months in the thread area and on the head
contact surface.
Grade M5 M6 M8 M10 M12 M14 M16 M18 M20 M22 M24
8.8 5,5 9,5 23 46 80 130 190 270 380 510 670 Nm
10.9 8,1 13 33 65 110 180 270 380 530 720 960 Nm
12.9 9,5 16 39 78 140 220 330 450 640 860 1120 Nm
All figures in Nm
A very wide variety of different media are currently required for lubrication, cooling, etc. during operation of a
clamping or gripping installation. These are generally connected to the clamping installation by pipes or hoses. The
most frequently used are hydraulic oil, lubricating oil/grease and coolants. Particular attention must be paid to these
media when working with the clamping installation to ensure that they do not get into the ground or water. Caution!
Environmental hazard!
This applies in particular:
During installation/removal as there may still be residues in the pipework, piston chambers or oil drain plugs,
To porous, defective or not correctly installed gaskets,
To lubricants that for design reasons escape or are slung out of the clamping installation during operation.
These escaping substances should therefore be collected and recycled or disposed of in accordance with the
applicable regulations.
IV. Safety engineering demands on power-actuated gripping installations:
1. The gripping installation may only be moved when the clamping pressure in the gripper has been built up
and clamping can be carried out in the admissible working range.
2. Clamping may only be released when the gripping installation has come to a standstill.
3. In the event of a failure of the clamping energy, a signal must be given that immediately stops the machine.
4. In the event of a failure of the clamping energy, the workpiece must remain firmly clamped.
5. In the event of an electric power failure and return, it must not be possible for the momentary switching
position to change.
V. Safety precautions:
1. Do not move parts by hand when the power supply is connected and switched on.
2. Do not reach into the open mechanical elements or between the clamping jaws.
3. Disconnect the energy supplies during installation, retooling, maintenance and adjustment
operations.
4. Carry out maintenance, retooling or attachment outside the danger zone.
5. During installation, connection, adjustment, commissioning and testing, measures must be
taken to ensure that accidental actuation of the unit by the fitter or other persons is not
possible.
6. When using all handling modules, protective guards in accordance with the EC Machinery
Directive must be fitted.
7.
Dangers are posed by objects falling or being slung out. Measures must be taken to prevent
such falling or slinging out.
8. The service and maintenance intervals must be observed.
9.
Grippers which clamp under spring load or which have a gripping force lock with springs are
under spring tension. The resilient pressing star is also under spring tension. Particular care is
therefore necessary during dismantling.
10. Particularly on grippers with gripping force maintenance, top jaws must be designed such that
in pressure-free state, a gripper reaches one of the end positions so that no residual energy is
released during changing of the top jaws.
In addition, the admissible active clearances from the corresponding tables must be observed.
Furthermore, the safety and accident prevention regulations applicable at the place of
operation must be observed.