smc pneumatic gripper, parallel open/close type

smc pneumatic gripper, parallel open/close type

smc pneumatic grippers are actuating devices that use compressed air as power to clamp or grasp workpieces. This technology originated in Japan and was later widely adopted by domestic automation enterprises. Based on style, they are typically classified into Y-type fingers and parallel-type fingers. Bore diameters include 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 32mm, and 40MM. Their main function is to replace manual gripping operations, effectively improving production efficiency and operational safety. The SMC pneumatic finger series is one of the commonly used pneumatic gripper devices in the industrial sector.

Main types of smc pneumatic grippers:

1) smc linear guide parallel open/close type air gripper MHZ 2

- Uses linear guides to achieve high rigidity and high precision.

- Dust-proof and drip-proof construction.

- Dust cover material options available.

smcModel/Series/Cylinder bore (mm)

Compact MHZA2-6 6

Compact, with dust cover MHZAJ2-6 6

Standard MHZ2 6，10，16，20，25，32，40

Long stroke MHZL2 10，16，20，25

Long stroke, with dust cover MHZL2 10，16，20

With dust cover MHZJ2 6，10，16，20，25，32，40

2) smc cross-roller translational type MHQ 2

smcModel/Series/Cylinder bore (mm)

High rigidity type MHQG2 32，40

With dust cover MHQJ2 10，16，20，25

3) smc compact air gripper MHF2

- Height dimension reduced to approximately 1/3.

- Compact design reduces torque generation.

- Short, medium, and long strokes available.

- Dual-piston construction provides a compact profile and high clamping force.

smcModel/Series/Cylinder bore (mm)

MHF2 8，12，16，20

4) smc wide-type air gripper MHL2

- Long stroke.

- Used for clamping large workpieces with dimensional deviations.

・Features a dual-piston construction for high gripping force.

・Built-in dust-proof construction.

smcModel/Series/Cylinder bore (mm)

MHL2 10，16，20，25，32，40

5). smc rotary drive type 2-finger air gripper MHR2/MDHR2

・Uses a swing cylinder as the drive source, reducing dimensions in the height direction.

・Repeatability accuracy ±0.01mm.

・Compatible with cleanroom class 10.

・With magnetic switch (MDHR2 series: MDHR two).

smc model/series/cylinder bore (mm)

MHR2 Nominal diameters 10, 15, 20, 30

MDHR2 Nominal diameters 10, 15, 20, 30

6). smc rotary drive type 3-finger air gripper MHR3/MDHR3

・Uses a swing cylinder as the drive source, reducing dimensions in the height direction.

・Repeatability accuracy ±0.01mm.

・Compatible with cleanroom class 10.

・With magnetic switch (MDHR3 series: MDHR3).

smc model/series/cylinder bore (mm)

MHR3 Nominal diameters 10, 15

MDHR3 Nominal diameters 10, 15

7). smc slide guide type 2-finger air gripper MHK2

・Adopts wedge cam drive mechanism.

・Uses slide-type guides for high rigidity.

・Dust-proof, drip-proof, resistant to external forces and environmental conditions, suitable for various applications.

・Dust cover material can be selected according to the environment (neoprene, fluororubber, silicone), and stainless steel fingers (SUS304) are available.

・Long stroke options available.

smc model/series/cylinder bore (mm)

MHK2 12，16，20，25

MHKL2 12，16，20，25

8). smc slide guide type 2-finger air gripper MHS2

・Features a wedge cam construction for compact height and lightweight design.

・Suitable for operations subject to external forces, such as press-fitting.

・Repeatability ±0.01mm.

smc model/series/cylinder bore (mm)

MHS2 16，20，25，32，40，50，63

9). smc slide guide type 3-finger air gripper MHS3

・Features a wedge cam construction for compact height and lightweight design.

・Suitable for operations subject to external forces, such as press-fitting.

・Repeatability ±0.01mm.

・Long stroke: stroke is 2 times or more that of the standard product.

・Capable of gripping cylindrical workpieces.

・Equipped with through-holes and a center push rod, enabling reliable separation from the workpiece.

smc model/series/cylinder bore (mm)

Double-acting type MHS3 16，20，25，32，40，50，63，80，100，125

Single-acting type MHS3-X84 16，20，25，32，40，50，63

Dust cover type MHSJ3 16，20，25，32，40，50，63，80

Through-hole type MHSH3 16，20，25，32，40，50，63，80

Dust cover + through-hole type MHSHJ 16，20，25，32，40，50，63，80

Long stroke type MHSL3 16，20，25，32，40，50，63，80，100，125

10). smc slide guide type 4-finger air gripper MHS4

・Adopts a wedge cam mechanism, resulting in a compact height dimension.

・Suitable for positioning and gripping square workpieces.

・Repeatability ±0.01mm.

・Positioning of square workpieces.

MHS4 16，20，25，32，40，50，63

11). smc parallel open/close type air gripper / Compact type JMHZ2

・The distance between gripping points remains constant while the overall outer dimensions are reduced (ø20 → ø16)

Overall length: Maximum reduction of 21.7mm (102.7mm → 81mm)

Thickness: Maximum reduction of 7.6mm (33.6mm → 26mm)

Weight: Maximum reduction of 180g (420g → 240g)

・Achieves high rigidity and high precision through an integrated guide structure.

・Uses high-precision linear guides; repeatability: ±0.01mm

・Uses linear guides with higher rigidity and precision, improving rigidity.

smc model/series/cylinder bore (mm)

Compact type JMHZ2 8、12、16、20

smc pneumatic grippers, also known assmcSwing cylinders, are specialized fixtures in the pneumatic industry. Common types include smc parallel grippers: operated by two pistons. Each piston connects to the pneumatic fingers via a roller and a double crank, forming a special drive unit. Thus, the pneumatic fingers always move axially centered, and each finger cannot move independently. If the fingers move in reverse, the previously pressurized piston is in the exhaust state, while the other piston is pressurized. smc parallel grippers are driven by a single piston, where the shaft drives the crank, and each of the two jaw plates has a corresponding crank slot. To reduce frictional resistance, the connection between the jaw plates and the body uses a ball slide rail structure. smc swing grippers (Y-type grippers): The piston rod of the smc swing gripper has an annular groove. Since the finger trunnions are connected to the annular groove, the fingers can move simultaneously and automatically center themselves, ensuring a constant gripping torque. smc rotary grippers: The action of rotary grippers works on the principle of rack and pinion engagement. The piston is fixed to a shaft that can move up and down. The end of the shaft has three ring slots, which engage with two drive wheels. Consequently, the pneumatic fingers can move simultaneously and automatically center themselves, and the rack and pinion principle ensures that the gripping force remains constant. smc three-point grippers: The piston of the smc three-point gripper has an annular groove. Each crank is connected to a pneumatic finger, and the piston motion directly drives the three cranks, thereby controlling the simultaneous opening and closing of the three fingers.