Finite Element Analysis and Optimization of Press Grippers

A 3-D solid model for the gripper structure was built with Solidworks and further improved. ANSYS, a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, was employed for FEA: the stress conditions of grippers with identical structures under certain forces and the application of different materials were investigated, and related comparison in their mechanical properties was made; based on the stress conditions under identical materials and optimized structures, the stress distribution of grippers with different structures was obtained. The results showed that the stress could be reduced significantly through the structure improvement under the same external conditions and stress conditions, and the deformation could be reduced as well.