End effectors
Magnetic grippers
End effectors that use permanent or electromagnetic force to lift and hold ferrous parts, common for sheet metal and stamped part handling.
Magnetic grippers hold ferrous parts through direct magnetic attraction rather than mechanical clamping or vacuum, making them well suited to flat or curved steel sheets, stampings, and laminations where a vacuum cup might not seal well. Electropermanent designs use a brief electrical pulse to switch the magnet on or off, so the robot doesn't need continuous power to maintain grip.
Because there are no moving fingers, magnetic grippers tend to be simpler mechanically than mechanical or vacuum grippers. They only work on ferrous materials, and grip strength drops on parts with oil film, coatings, or surface rust.
Multi-pole magnet arrays are common on larger sheet handling tools to spread holding force across an uneven or warped part surface.
Related integrations
Common questions
- What does Magnetic grippers do?
- End effectors that use permanent or electromagnetic force to lift and hold ferrous parts, common for sheet metal and stamped part handling.
- What does Magnetic grippers work with?
- It works with EtherNet/IP, ATI tool changer, Cell controller.
- What should I watch for with Magnetic grippers?
- Only works on ferrous materials. Oil, coatings, or rust reduce holding force. Electropermanent designs need reliable pulse control to release safely.