AGS Adds Soft Grippers to "PreciGrip" Modular System for Sensitive Parts

Soft grippers from AGS – (Photo: AGS).

AGS Automation Greifsysteme Schwope GmbH has expanded its "PreciGrip" modular gripper system with a range of pneumatic soft grippers. Announced ahead of Fakuma 2026, the new silicone grippers are designed for handling sensitive, irregularly shaped parts and workpieces that are difficult to grip using conventional rigid grippers or vacuum cups.

Target applications include the removal of injection-moulded parts, packaging handling and automation tasks in the food industry.

Three Gripper Configurations
The range is available in one-, two- and three-finger configurations. Single-finger versions can be used as hold-down devices or in combination with a fixed stop. Two-finger grippers are intended for flat and elongated parts, while three-finger versions provide self-centring handling of round and cylindrical workpieces.

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Soft grippers from AGS – (Photo: AGS).

The silicone fingers are available in lengths from approximately 40 mm to 110 mm and, depending on the version, cover gripping ranges from around 15 mm to more than 100 mm.

According to AGS, the grippers are made from food-grade silicone tested in accordance with FDA requirements and Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004. An antistatic version for electronic components and a reinforced version for applications requiring higher holding forces are also available.

Pneumatic Actuation and High Temperature Resistance
The gripping fingers are actuated entirely pneumatically. Positive pressure of up to 1.2 bar closes the fingers, while the reinforced version is designed for pressures of up to 3 bar. Vacuum pressure opens the grippers.

Gripping force can be adjusted by varying the applied pressure, without the need to change valves or control components.

According to the manufacturer, the fingers are designed for up to 300 gripping cycles per minute and a service life of approximately one million cycles. The permissible workpiece surface temperature ranges from -30 °C to +280 °C.

This makes the grippers suitable for removing warm moulded parts directly from injection-moulding tools. AGS states that the modules are manufactured in accordance with relevant ISO 9001, CE and RoHS requirements.

Easy Integration into Existing "PreciGrip" Systems
The soft grippers can be mounted directly onto the aluminium profiles of the "PreciGrip" modular system using standard clamping elements and adapter plates.

As a result, existing take-out grippers can be retrofitted with flexible gripping functionality without the need for a dedicated custom design.

Compressed air is supplied via the air connection extensions already available within the modular system. The gripper modules feature a G1/8 pneumatic connection. AGS also provides CAD and STEP data for the fingers and adapters to support design and simulation.

Applications in Injection Moulding, Packaging and Food Processing
Typical applications include thin-walled or ribbed injection-moulded parts, bags, bottles and trays, as well as sensitive food products such as fruit, vegetables and baked goods.

The soft silicone fingers can also be used for plastic parts with high-quality cosmetic surfaces, particularly in cases where vacuum cups could leave unwanted marks.

Thanks to the compliance of the fingers, the grippers can also compensate for a certain degree of positional variation in the workpiece. This may reduce the need for additional centring devices and help simplify setup in robotic handling applications.

The soft-gripper range is available through the AGS online shop. According to the company, the different versions are available from stock, with product data sets including weight information and STEP files.

Fakuma 2026
Friedrichshafen, Germany
12–16 October 2026
Hall A7, Stand 7316

More information: www.ags-automation.de

AGS Automation Greifsysteme Schwope GmbH, Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany

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