New Approaches to Gripping

Traditional gripping systems are based on established principles—particularly pneumatics and mechanical components.

These systems work, but they come with inherent drawbacks: high energy consumption, complex infrastructure, and limited flexibility.

Nititec takes a different approach.

Instead of optimizing existing technologies, new principles are employed to resolve typical trade-offs in gripping.

An example: Electric vacuum gripping

With the G-VAC, vacuum is generated electrically directly within the gripper—without compressed air infrastructure.

Unlike traditional systems, this eliminates the need for:

• Comnpressors
• Venturi nozzles
• compressed air lines

The gripper is controlled exclusively by electricity.

New drive principles

Movement in the gripper is generated by nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory actuators. These so-called shape memory alloys change their length when electrically activated, enabling new design principles for gripping systems.

Impact on the system

• Elimination of complex infrastructure
• Significantly reduced energy consumption
• High operational reliability due to simple design
• Compact and lightweight construction

The technologies used are not an end in themselves.
They enable solutions that specifically overcome existing limitations in gripping.