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Photo of a Blue Photon gripper head, part of their workholding systemPhoto of a Blue Photon gripper head, part of their workholding system

Grippers & Components

Unique workholding grippers that allow for complete BlueGrip™ workholding adhesive curing.

Blue Photon’s adhesive workholding grippers are patented, load bearing and light transmitting fixture components. Grippers are the foundation of the Blue Photon grip technology.


Illustration of Blue Photon's head-in gripper, a part of their UV-activated adhesive workholding system

Head-In Gripper

  • Insert into fixture from the backside.
  • Can be retracted during workplace loading.
  • Use with gripper internal and external inserts. 
  • Workpiece separates from gripper with 1/4 turn of gripper or hot water soak.

Illustration of Blue Photon's head-out gripper, a part of their UV-activated adhesive workholding system

Head-Out Gripper

  • Insert into fixture from the topside.
  • Cannot be retracted during workplace loading.
  • Workpiece separates from gripper with hot water soak or twisting.

How Our Grippers Work

The grippers are inserted into a fixture. The workpiece is secured to the grippers with BlueGrip workholding adhesive, which is cured with UV light transmitted through the core of the gripper.


Grippers

Gripper Size Comparison

Effective Jan. 1, 2022, Blue Photon discontinued the following imperial products. Learn more below…

 

Metric

Click to View Blue Photon's Current Collection of Grippers

Small Head-In Gripper

Part#: 14130, 14131

Part #: 14130 – Standard

Part #: 14131 – Corrosion Resistant

Features

  • To hold small size workpieces for lighter duty machining.
  • Insert into fixture from the backside.
  • Can be retracted during workplace loading.
  • Workpiece separates from gripper with 1/4 turn of gripper, hot water soak, or dry ice blasting.
  • Average tensile holding power with BlueGrip S2 workholding adhesive is 150 lbs.*
  • Use P/N 14131** where deionized water or acid is used.

*Testing done under controlled conditions. **CNC spindle mounted cleaning tool cannot be used with corrosion resistant grippers.

Medium Head-In Gripper

Part#: 15130, 15131

Part #: 15130 – Standard

Part #: 15131 – Corrosion Resistant

Features

  • To hold small to medium size workpieces.
  • Insert into fixture from the backside.
  • Can be retracted during workplace loading.
  • Workpiece separates from gripper with 1/4 turn of gripper, hot water soak, or dry ice blasting.
  • Average tensile holding power with BlueGrip S2 workholding adhesive is 400 lbs.*
  • Use P/N 15131** where deionized water or acid is used.

*Testing done under controlled conditions. **CNC spindle mounted cleaning tool cannot be used with corrosion resistant grippers.

Large Head-In Gripper

Part#: 16160, 16161

Part #: 16160 – Standard

Part #: 16161 – Corrosion Resistant

Features

  • To hold medium to large size workpieces.
  • Offers more surface area on gripper head for stronger holding power.
  • Insert into fixture from the backside.
  • Can be retracted during workplace loading.
  • Workpiece separates from gripper with 1/4 turn of gripper, hot water soak, or dry ice blasting.
  • Average tensile holding power with BlueGrip S2 workholding adhesive is 605 lbs.*
  • Use P/N 16161** where deionized water or acid is used.

*Testing done under controlled conditions. **CNC spindle mounted cleaning tool cannot be used with corrosion resistant grippers.

Small Head-Out Gripper

Part#: 14230, 14231

Part #: 14230 – Standard

Part #: 14231 – Corrosion Resistant

Features

  • To hold small size workpieces.
  • Use in applications for simplified fixture design.
  • Insert into fixture from the topside.
  • Cannot be retracted during workplace loading.
  • Workpiece separates from gripper with hot water soak, twisting, or dry ice blasting.
  • Average tensile holding power with BlueGrip S2 workholding adhesive is 150 lbs.*
  • Use P/N 14231** where deionized water or acid is used.

*Testing done under controlled conditions. **CNC spindle mounted cleaning tool cannot be used with corrosion resistant grippers.

Medium Head-Out Gripper

Part#: 15230, 15231

Part #: 15230 – Standard

Part #: 15231 – Corrosion Resistant

Features

  • To hold small to medium size workpieces.
  • Use in applications for simplified fixture design.
  • Insert into fixture from the topside.
  • Cannot be retracted during workplace loading.
  • Workpiece separates with hot water soak, twisting, or dry ice blasting.
  • Average tensile holding power with BlueGrip S2 workholding adhesive is 400 lbs.*
  • Use P/N 15231** where deionized water or acid is used.

*Testing done under controlled conditions. **CNC spindle mounted cleaning tool cannot be used with corrosion resistant grippers.

Large Head-Out Gripper

Part#: 16260, 16261

Part #: 16260 – Standard

Part #: 16261 – Corrosion Resistant

Features

  • To hold medium to large size workpieces.
  • Use in applications for simplified fixture design.
  • Insert into fixture from the topside.
  • Cannot be retracted during workplace loading.
  • Workpiece separates from gripper with hot water soak, twisting, or dry ice blasting.
  • Average tensile holding power with BlueGrip S2 workholding adhesive is 605 lbs.*
  • Use P/N 16261** where deionized water is used.

*Testing done under controlled conditions. **CNC spindle mounted cleaning tool cannot be used with corrosion resistant grippers.

Part # Description Application
Grippers
14130Standard Small Head-In GripperTo use with small size workpieces.
14131Corrosion Resistant Small Head-In GripperTo use with small size workpieces where deionized water is being used.
15130Standard Medium Head-In GripperTo use with small to medium size workpieces.
15131Corrosion Resistant Medium Head-In GripperTo use with small to medium size workpieces where deionized water is being used.
16160Standard Large Head-In GripperTo use with medium to large size workpieces.
16161Corrosion Resistant Large Head-In GripperTo use with medium to large size workpieces where deionized water is being used.
14230Standard Small Head-Out GripperTo use with small size workpieces.
14231Corrosion Resistant Small Head-Out GripperTo use with small size workpieces where deionized water is being used.
15230Standard Medium Head-Out GripperTo use with small to medium size workpieces.
15231Corrosion Resistant Medium Head-Out GripperTo use with small to medium size workpieces where deionized water is being used.
16260Standard Large Head-Out GripperTo hold medium to large size workpieces.
16261Corrosion Resistant Large Head-Out GripperTo use with medium to large size workpieces where deionized water is being used.

Inserts

Insert Size Comparison

 

Metric

 

 

 

 

Click to View Blue Photon's Current Collection of Gripper Inserts

External Adjustable Insert Assemblies

Part#: 24200, 25200, 26200

Part #: 24200 – Small external insert to use with small head-in gripper P/N 14130/14131.

Part #: 25200 – Medium external insert to use with medium head-in gripper P/N 15130/15131.

Part #: 26200 – Large external insert to use with large head-in gripper P/N 16160/16161.

Features

  • Includes the gripper insert and insert nut.
  • Use to increase standoff from the fixture and/or to protect aluminum fixtures from thread galling.
  • Inserts allow for additional flexibility for exact gripper height positioning.
  • Made from hardened steel with a black oxide finish.
  • Inserts into fixture from the top.
  • Workpiece separates from gripper with 1/4 turn of gripper or hot water soak.
PN24211 PN25211 PN26211 External Fixed Inserts Pallet

External Fixed Inserts

Part#: 24211, 25211, 26211

Blue Photon’s external fixed inserts allow for simple installation of the grippers at the required height for maximum holding power.

Part #: 24211 – Large gripper external insert for small head-in gripper, use with P/N 14130.

Part #: 25211 – Large gripper external insert for medium head-in gripper, use with P/N 15130.

Part #: 26211 – Large gripper external insert for large head-in gripper, use with P/N 16160.

Features

  • Available for use with small, medium and large head-in grippers.
  • Inserts increase standoff from the fixture.
  • Made from hardened steel with a black oxide finish.
  • Inserts into fixture from the top.
  • Workpiece separates from gripper with 1/4 turn of gripper or hot water soak.
PN24211 PN25211 PN26211 External Fixed Inserts Pallet
Blue Photon PN24219, PN25219, and 26219

External Fixed Insert Assemblies

Part#: 24219, 25219, 26219

Blue Photon’s external fixed insert assemblies allow for simple installation of the grippers at the required height for maximum holding power.

Part #: 24219 – Large gripper external insert with small head-in gripper.

Part #: 25219 – Large gripper external insert with medium head-in gripper.

Part #: 26219 – Large gripper external insert with large head-in gripper.

Features

  • Inserts increase standoff from the fixture.
  • Made from hardened steel with a black oxide finish.
  • Inserts into fixture from the top.
  • Workpiece separates from gripper with 1/4 turn of gripper or hot water soak.

Internal Inserts

Part#: 24100, 25100, 26100

Part #: 24100 – Small internal insert to use with small head-in gripper P/N 14130/14131.

Part #: 25100 – Medium internal insert to use with medium head-in gripper P/N 15130/15131.

Part #: 26100 – Large internal insert to use with large head-in gripper P/N 16160/16161.

Features

  • Use gripper inserts to protect aluminum fixtures from thread galling.
  • Made from hardened steel with a black oxide finish.
  • Install with thread locker.
  • Screws in from the bottom.
  • Thread locked into the fixture.
  • Workpiece separates from gripper with 1/4 turn of gripper or hot water soak.
Part # Description Application
Inserts
24200Small External Insert AssemblyTo use with aluminum tooling to prevent thread galling and to allow for adjustability, use with P/N 14130/14131.
25200Medium External Insert AssemblyTo use with aluminum tooling to prevent thread galling and to allow for adjustability, use with P/N 15130/15131.
26200Large External Insert AssemblyTo use with aluminum tooling to prevent thread galling and to allow for adjustability, use with P/N 16160/16161.
24211External Fixed InsertSmall head-in gripper.
25211External Fixed InsertMedium head-in gripper.
26211External Fixed InsertLarge head-in gripper.
24219Head-In Gripper & External Fixed Insert AssemblySmall head-in gripper.
25219Head-In Gripper & External Fixed Insert AssemblyMedium head-in gripper.
26219Head-In Gripper & External Fixed Insert AssemblyLarge head-in gripper.
24100Small Internal InsertTo use with aluminum tooling to prevent thread galling while separating workpiece, use with P/N 14130/14131.
25100Medium Internal InsertTo use with aluminum tooling to prevent thread galling while separating workpiece, use with P/N 15130/15131.
26100Large Internal InsertTo use with aluminum tooling to prevent thread galling while separating workpiece, use with P/N 16160/16161.

Gripper Accessories

Click to View Blue Photon's Current Collection of Gripper Accessories

Ratchets

Part#: 50200, 52200

Head-in grippers separate with 1/4 turn twist of ratchet.

Part #: 50200 – 3/8 drive ratchet use with sockets P/N 54595 and 58595.

Part #: 52200 – 1/4 drive ratchet use with socket P/N 51525.

Thin Wall Deep Well Sockets

Part#: 51525, 54595, 58595

Head-in grippers separate with 1/4 turn twist of ratchet. 

Part # 51525 – 1/4 drive 8 mm thin wall socket. Use with small grippers. 

Part # 54595 – 3/8 drive 12 mm thin wall socket. Use with medium grippers. 

Part # 58595 – 3/8 drive 14 mm thin wall socket. Use with large grippers. 

Thin Wall Deep Well Sockets

Part#: 52525, 55595, 56595

Used to install or remove head-out grippers within a fixturing system. 

Part # 52525 – 1/4 drive 10 mm deep well socket. Use with small grippers. 

Part # 55595 – 3/8 drive 13 mm deep well socket. Use with medium grippers. 

Part # 56595 – 3/8 drive 16 mm deep well socket. Use with large grippers. 

Shims

Part#: 51330, 51430, 55330, 55430, 58330, 58430

To adjust a gripper height while using the head-in grippers.

Part #: 51330 – Small shim, stainless steel .005″ thickness.

Part #: 51430 – Small shim, stainless steel .010″ thickness.

Part #: 55330 – Medium shim, stainless steel .005″ thickness.

Part #: 55430 – Medium shim, stainless steel .010″ thickness.

Part #: 58330 – Large shim, stainless steel .005″ thickness.

Part #: 58430 – Large shim, stainless steel .010″ thickness.

Hard Case

Part#: 35000

Optional hard case with foam insert and custom made slots to hold workholding kit components.

Part # Description Application
Gripper Accessories
502003/8 Drive RatchetTo use with sockets P/N 54595 and 58595.
522001/4 Drive RatchetTo use with socket P/N 51525.
515251/4 drive 8 mm thin wall socketUse with small grippers.
545953/8 drive 12 mm thin wall socketUse with medium grippers. 
585953/8 drive 14 mm thin wall socketUse with large grippers.
525251/4 drive 10 mm deep well socket.Use with small grippers. 
555953/8 drive 13 mm deep well socket.Use with medium grippers.
565953/8 drive 16 mm deep well socket.Use with large grippers.
51330Small Shim, Stainless Steel .005" ThicknessTo adjust a gripper height while using the head-in grippers.
51430Small Shim, Stainless Steel .010" ThicknessTo adjust a gripper height while using the head-in grippers.
55330Medium Shim, Stainless Steel .005" ThicknessTo adjust a gripper height while using the head-in grippers.
55430Medium Shim, Stainless Steel .010" ThicknessTo adjust a gripper height while using the head-in grippers.
58330Large Shim, Stainless Steel .005" ThicknessTo adjust a gripper height while using the head-in grippers.
58430Large Shim, Stainless Steel .010" ThicknessTo adjust a gripper height while using the head-in grippers.
35000Hard CaseOptional hard case with foam insert and custom made slots to hold workholding kit components.

We will accept orders for the imperial gripper and insert products until the discontinued date and afterwards until stock is depleted in order to allow for future planning by our customers; however, after the discontinued date, a special order for current customers is available upon request, please allow up to four weeks for special orders. For the suggested replacements please see our metric gripper and insert products.

Contact your Blue Photon sales representative if you have additional questions.