BLADDER GRIPPER – 21024

A bladder gripper or bladder hand is a specialized robotic end effector that can be used to grasp, pick up, and move rod-shaped or cylindrical objects. The main element of the gripper is an inflatable, donut-shaped or cylindrical sleeve that resembles the cuff commonly used in blood pressure measuring apparatus. The sleeve is positioned so it surrounds the object to be gripped, and then the sleeve is inflated until it is tight enough to accomplish the desired task. The pressure exerted by the sleeve can be measured and regulated using force sensors.

Bladder grippers are useful in handling fragile objects. However, they do not operate fast, and they can function only with objects within a rather narrow range of physical sizes.