Seizing what others leave behind

Handle sensitive and geometrically irregular products automatically, economically, and reliably: With the mGrip Basic finger gripper and the SRCU Basic control module, Schmalz is expanding its product portfolio. This makes automation accessible even in areas where exceptional flexibility and cost-efficiency are required.

Anyone automating processes in the food, agricultural, packaging, or logistics sectors is familiar with the challenge: potatoes, baked goods, dairy products, or items packaged in nets and blister packs. These goods are irregularly shaped, delicate, and vary in both size and weight. Conventional mechanical grippers quickly reach their limits in such scenarios. Schmalz is now bridging this gap with two new solutions: the mGrip Basic finger gripper and the SRCU Basic control module. These models specifically lower the barrier to entry, bringing proven soft-touch handling capabilities to industries that previously lacked an economically viable path to automated handling.

Gripping without leaving a trace

Pneumatically controlled finger grippers are more adaptable than mechanical systems. The mGrip Basic finger gripper utilizes soft, flexible finger modules featuring a specially engineered geometry. They conform to the shape of the items without causing damage. Both the spacing and position of the fingers can be adjusted flexibly. This makes the gripper ideal for applications involving variable products – such as fruits and vegetables, confectionery and baked goods, or products wrapped in film.

A key advantage of this modular system is that the finger modules can be quickly removed and repositioned thanks to integrated mounting elements. When the product changes, the configuration changes – not the gripper itself. This reduces changeover times and lowers investment costs.

Full control, minimal effort

The SRCU Basic control module complements this concept. Operators can manually adjust the output pressure – and thereby vary the gripping force – using a dedicated adjustment knob. The vacuum switch displays the current pressure reading. Furthermore, the control module features an internal pressure reducer that automatically limits the output pressure, thereby preventing the fingers from being overloaded. This extends the system's service life. For applications involving low product variance and up to 120 picks per minute, the module offers a particularly economical and reliable control solution.

Users can also integrate the mGrip Basic finger gripper into their own End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT) solutions, as the finger modules and mounting plates can be incorporated into custom gripper systems. This gives design engineers the freedom to develop tailored solutions using Schmalz’s proven soft-finger technology as a foundation.

The mGripedia platform showcases – through over 100 real-world applications – how Schmalz enables the automated, hygienic, and process-reliable gripping of sensitive products, ranging from croissants to chicken legs. All use cases can be filtered to help users identify the optimal solution for a specific workpiece. If needed, direct feedback from experts is just a click away. In this way, Schmalz delivers not merely hardware, but a proven modular system—comprising expertise, data, and application experience – that can be quickly adapted to a user's own processes.