Precision and Reliability in Motion — Five-Station Sheet Metal Gripper System Delivered to Mexico

With the steady transformation of Mexico’s automotive manufacturing industry toward higher automation, production plants are demanding more reliable and accurate transfer systems for thin-sheet components. Recently, our company successfully delivered a five-operation (5 OPs) Sheet Metal Gripper System to a Mexican automotive parts manufacturer. The gripper set, corresponding to part No. A297 616 4100 / 4200, is designed for 1.7 mm metal sheets, and has now been fully commissioned with excellent performance feedback.

1. Project Background

The Mexican client is a tier-one supplier for vehicle body and structural components. Their original manual-assisted handling devices faced several challenges — slipping and mis-gripping on thin 1.7 mm aluminum-steel composite sheets, inconsistent clamping force, and time-consuming tooling changes between part models. The customer required a fully automated system capable of precise positioning and high-speed transfer between multiple stamping operations.

2. Our Technical Solution

To meet these needs, we designed and manufactured a customized five-station pneumatic gripper set, engineered for high-precision transfer applications in stamping lines.

Key Features:

• Lightweight aluminum-alloy body for reduced inertia and smoother robotic motion.

• Clamping force 650 N @ 5 bar, optimized for 1.7 mm iron and aluminum sheets.

• Full automation interface with 24 V sensor feedback (PNP/NPN) and PLC/robot I/O compatibility.

• Quick-change mounting design, reducing tooling changeover time by over 30 %.

• Positional repeatability ± 0.1 mm for stable multi-station operation.

• Durability > 5 million cycles, ensuring long service life in high-throughput lines.

Each of the five transfer stations (5 OPs) is equipped with independent gripper units synchronized through a central PLC control system. The entire line was installed and commissioned in close collaboration with the customer’s engineering team, achieving smooth integration into their existing robotic press automation setup.

3. Customer Feedback

After commissioning, the client reported:

“The new gripper set works flawlessly — five-station transfer runs are smooth, and the 1.7 mm sheets are handled with exceptional stability and accuracy. Installation was straightforward, and the system integrated seamlessly with our existing automation platform.”

Following the positive results, the customer has already scheduled repeat orders for their next production line expansion.

4. Significance for the Mexican Market

Mexico has emerged as one of the largest automotive manufacturing hubs in the Americas. As local plants upgrade toward intelligent and fully automated operations, the demand for reliable and cost-effective sheet metal grippers is rising rapidly. This successful project proves that high-precision Chinese automation equipment can compete directly with international brands in performance and durability, while offering a significant cost advantage.