Workholding

Rigid mechanical and magnetic clamps are fine for most industrial gripping and positioning.

The addition of analog sensors to pneumatic grippers gives new intelligence about the health and well being of automated processes.

HGDS grippers from Festo Corp., Hauppauge, N.Y. (www.festo.com), use a semirotary vane actuator to control a parallel gripper, letting the compact unit grip and turn.

Thermoplastic vulcanizate plays a key role in both the function and aesthetics of the All X-cess bicycle rack built by Stromberg Carlson Products Inc.

The double-expanding locating pin from Block Workholding Inc.

The CarvLock vise lets users machine part profiles on all four sides of the movable jaws.

A Unilock clamping system, for setups of workholding fixtures for machining and grinding operations, can be used for multiple machines in a work cell.

A workholding system intended for CNC machining centers has snap-on jaws and
face-plates, a sealed design, and a smooth operating leadscrew.

A prototype caterpillarlike robot with a gripper arm aims to make life a little easier for those in wheelchairs.

Installing large-gauge wire just got easier thanks to the WAGO 285 Series Power Clamp from WAGO Corp.

Designing a product that is simple yet functional is something engineers strive for.

313D Speedyload pumpheads from Watson-Marlow Bredel Inc.