Manipulator Arms and Rigid Column Lift Videos

This custom air-powered vertical lift cylinder was designed, built, and fabricated to grip and lift tier-1 automotive parts. The mast features a steel powder-coated frame, dual trolley mount, single enclosed vertical travel column with 39.37 inches (1 m) of travel, pneumatic lift cylinder, and 360-degree non-continuous rotation. The end effector tool incorporates two separate grip systems for lifting two different parts and features padded UHMW front capture grip jaws for low-profile parts, and padded UHMW side capture grip jaws for large-profile parts. The operator handlebars include high/low proportional up/down controls, grip/release with interlocked common button controls, lever controls that switch between the front or side gripper, and green/red grip indicators. The rigid vertical mast and gripper tool are suspended from a Gorbel Overhead Workstation Bridge Crane and the grip/release buttons interlocked with common buttons prevent accidental release of the parts in midair.

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Our Ergonomic Partners teams of engineers, designers, and fabricators built this custom manipulator arm and gripper tool to lift and pitch 350-pound steel pipe molds. The arm and tool streamlined our customer's production operations and processes by increasing efficiency, enhancing safety, and boosting productivity. The arm features adjustable vertical limit stops, 330° rotation with a pneumatic brake at the mast, 330° rotation with a pneumatic brake at the secondary arm, and 360° non-continuous rotation with a friction brake at the end effector tool. The end effector tool features interchangeable Linatex lined pneumatic grip jaws that allow gripping two different size pipes, adjustable height two-position ergonomic handlebar with high/low up/down, grip/release common button controls, 90° pitch lever controls, handle up/down control, and arm brake lever controls. To prevent accidental release of the steel pipe molds in midair the grip/release buttons are interlocked with common buttons and must be used simultaneously to grip or release the molds.

Ergonomic Partners teams of designers, engineers, and fabricators built this custom arm and tool to lift and grip 300-pound batteries for loading large industrial battery compartments. Our arm and tool allowed our customer to reduce labor costs, increase throughput, reduce damage, minimize downtime due to worker fatigue, optimize material flows in their production lines, and enable safe and precise handling of the batteries. The uniquely designed tool is electrically insulated protecting operators from any electrical hazard while positioning the charged live batteries. The arm features a steel powder-coated mast, arms, and frame, 330-degree rotation with a pneumatic brake at the mast, 330-degree rotation with a pneumatic brake at the primary arm, and 330-degree rotation at the end effector tool. The arms end effector tool features electrically insulated locating frames and guides, electrically insulated grip jaws, momentary up/down controls, grip/release controls, pneumatic power assisted downforce controls, and an additional two button up/down radio remote controls allowing for increased lift heights.

This custom air-powered manipulator arm was designed, built, and fabricated to grip and lift 325-pound skid steer engines. The arm features a steel powder-coated mast, arms, and frame, vertical limit stops, 330-degree rotation with a pneumatic brake at the mast, 330-degree rotation with a pneumatic brake at the primary arm, and 330-degree rotation with a friction brake at the end effector tool. The gripper tool has a custom "C" shape that conforms around the engines and has a rod attachment point with a quick-release pin. The arms operator controls include proportional up/down and lever controls for the arms rotation parking brake.

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Our Ergonomic Partners teams of engineers, designers, and fabricators built this custom manipulator arm and vacuum gripper tool to lift and pitch 140-pound steel guardrail posts. The arm features adjustable vertical limit stops, 330° rotation with pneumatic brake at the mast, 330° rotation with pneumatic brake at the secondary arm, and 360° non-continuous rotation with friction brake at the end effector tool. The end effector tool features five air saving vacuum pumps and cups, a primary ergonomic handlebar with proportional up / down controls, grip / release / common button controls, 90° pitch lever controls, vacuum grip indicator gauge, and arm brake lever controls. There is a secondary ergonomic handlebar on the other side of the end effector tool that feature grip / release / common button controls, proportional up / down controls, 90° pitch lever controls, and vacuum grip indicator gauge. The arm is mounted to our custom portable base with forklift pockets and adjustable leveling feet.

Ergonomic Partners engineers, machinists, and fabricators designed and built this manipulator arm and vacuum tool to grip, lift, and 90-degree pitch 112 pound steel parts. The pneumatic manipulator arm with tool has a powder-coated steel frame, columns, and base. The arm features adjustable vertical limit stops, 360-degrees of non-continuous rotation with pneumatic brake at the mast, 330-degrees of rotation with pneumatic brake at the primary arm, and 360-degrees of non-continuous rotation with fricition brake at the end effector tool. The lifting tool uses five vacuum cups with vacuum saving pumps, and the pneumatic pitch actuator. The tool has two separate operator ergonomic handlebars. The main handlebars feature a vacuum indicator gauge, grip/release/common button controls, proportional up/down controls, pitch controls, and arm brake lever controls. The second set of handlebars feature a vacuum indicator gauge, grip/release/common button controls, and proportional up/down controls.

This custom rigid manipulator with vacuum tool is used to grip, lift, and transfer large, corrugated steel decking, metal siding, and metal roofing. The vacuum tools suspended on the arms feature several custom-designed Kenos vacuum cups that are manually adjustable along the X-axis to ensure adequate vacuum pressure for the varying metal profiles. The rigid manipulators with vacuum tools are suspended from a motorized double-girder overhead bridge crane that houses two variable-speed chain hoists. A wireless radio with A/B/Both controls allows operators to control each rigid lift cylinder tool independently and travel along the bridge (Y-axis).

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This custom material handling solution was developed for lifting 800-pound building panels. It features twin Rigid Column lifters with custom vacuum attachments suspended from a 2 Ton Overhead Bridge Crane. Tri-State Equipment Company was able to design and fabricate the whole material handling system in-house, with EP developing the vacuum tools and TSOC producing the bridge crane system. These two divisions of our company were able to work closely together during the development of this project, streamlining the production of this system and simplifying the process for the customer.

This custom air powered manipulator arm was designed, built, and fabricated to grip, lift, and pitch 90-pound molds. The arm features a steel powder coated mast, arms, and frame, 59-inches of vertical travel with vertical limit stops, 330-degree rotation with pneumatic brake at the mast, 330-degree rotation with pneumatic brake at the primary arm, 330-degree rotation with pneumatic brake on the secondary arm, and 270-degree rotation with a detent brake at the end effector tool. The arm has a red/green grip jaw indicator gauge and allows left or right-handed operators to move the handlebars with the controls to the left or right by using the handle slide detent brake. The arm includes momentary 90-degree pitch up/down controls, proportional arm up/down controls, proportional grip and release with common button controls, tool rotation detent brake release, and lever controls for the arms rotation parking brake. To prevent accidental release of the molds in midair the release button must be used with the common button simultaneously to release the molds.

Our team designed, engineered, and fabricated this manipulator arm to lift shingles for palletizing. The manipulator arm features; vertical limit stops, 360 non continuous rotation with pneumatic brake on the mast, 330-degree rotation with pneumatic brake on the primary arm, and 360 degree non continuous rotation with friction brake on the secondary arm. The arms end effector is a forklift tool that features ergonomic soft grip handles with up/down controls, fork retract/extend controls with common button, and parking brake controls.

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Ergonomic Partners engineers, machinists, and fabricators designed and built this manipulator arm and vacuum tool to grip and lift 70-pound porous aluminum blocks. The pneumatic manipulator arm with tool has a powder-coated steel frame, columns, and base. The arm features adjustable vertical limit stops, 360-degrees of non-continuous rotation with pneumatic brake at the mast, 330-degrees of rotation with pneumatic brake at the primary arm, and 360-degrees of non-continuous rotation with fricition brake at the end effector tool. The lifting tool uses three vacuum cups with vacuum saving pumps and part alignment guides. The operators' ergonomic handlebars feature a vacuum indicator gauge, grip/release/common button controls, proportional up/down controls, and arm brake lever controls.

Ergonomic Partners designed and built this manipulator arm and end effector tool to grip, lift, and pitch 10-foot-long, 300-pound paper mill roll shafts. The pneumatic manipulator arm with tool has a powder-coated steel frame, columns, and base. The arm features adjustable vertical limit stops, 360-degrees of non-continuous rotation with disc brakes at the mast, and 330-degrees of rotation with disc brakes at the primary/secondary arms. The end effector tool houses grip jaws with a safety loop, grip pressure sensing switch, and a sensor switch monitoring pitch angle. All four systems prevent operators from incorrectly gripping the shafts and ensure positive and proper grip positioning and seating of the shafts. The operators' ergonomic handlebars have pitch controls with 2.5 degrees of pitch angle, grip/release/common button controls, proportional up/down controls, and brake lever controls.

Our Ergonomic Partners teams of engineers, designers, and fabricators built this custom Floating Manipulator Arm and end effector tool to simultaneously pick up (2) two 50-pound appliance tubs for loading onto a palletizing system. The arm features adjustable vertical stops, adjustable floating arm pneumatic system, 360° non-continuous rotation with pneumatic brake at the mast, 270° rotation with non-continuous rotation with pneumatic brake at the secondary arm, and 330° non-continuous rotation with friction brake at the end effector tool. The end effector tool features an ergonomic high/low handlebar with high/low grip/release with common button controls, and arm brake lever control. Up/down controls are not required due to the floating arm and tool system. Operators grip the appliance tubs and apply a gentle application of up/down force on the handlebar to raise or lower the floating arm, tool, and tubs.

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Ergonomic Partners manufactured this articulating manipulator arm to lift, 90-degree pitch, and 90-dgree rotate headliners. The arm and gripper tool features: an ergonomic handlebar with integrated vacuum indicator gauge, grip / release / common button controls, proportional up/down controls, brake lever controls (to lock the arm), pitch controls, rotation controls, four vacuum cups, 360-degree rotation with pneumatic brake at the mast, 330-degree rotation with pneumatic brake at the secondary arm, and 360 degree rotation (non-continuous) with friction brake at the end effector tool. The arm is mounted on a portable base with adjustable leveling feet and has forklift pockets for easy transportation of the arm and tool.

We engineered, designed, and built this magnetic tool and 275-pound capacity Lightweight Manipulator Arm (LMA) to grip, lift, and rotate tank tops of various sizes. The air powered manipulator arm features precision bearings, 360-degree rotation at the mast, 360-degree rotation at the secondary arm, and rotation brakes positioned on each arm. The magnetic grip tool features a steel and aluminum powder coated frame, 270-degrees of tool rotation, 360-degrees of part rotation with detent rotation stops, green/red grip indicator, ergonomic handlebars with up/down controls, arm rotation brake lever controls, and interlocked common button grip/release controls. Operators can quickly and easily lift various sizes of tank tops by manually adjusting the tools magnet positions.

Our team designed, engineered, and fabricated this manipulator arm to grip, lift, rotate, and pitch different types of large doors. The manipulator arm features; vertical limit stops, 330-degree non continuous rotation with pneumatic brake on the mast, 330-degree non continuous rotation with pneumatic brake on the primary arm, and 330-degree non continuous rotation with pneumatic brake on the secondary arm. The arms end effector is a vacuum lifter tool that features adjustable high-temperature vacuum-saving cups, high-temperature vacuum lines, dual independent vacuum circuits with dual vacuum indicator gauges, up/down controls, grip/release controls with common button, 180-degree door rotation with rotation release control button, 180-degree pitch with up/down lever controls, manipulator arm brake lever controls, and safety brake controls that lock all movement of the arm and tool.

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This arm grips and lifts 55, 30, 16, and 5-gallon drums. The uniquely designed end effector grip tool is quickly and easily adjusted for different size drums. The secondary arm allows operators to position the heavy drum barrels with smooth and precise movements in very tight work areas. The arm and tool features: a steel and aluminum powder coated frame, pneumatic lifting cylinders, parking brake, locating guides, momentary up/down controls, interlocking grip/release controls, and a gripper safety circuit to prevent operators from releasing the drums in mid-air.

Our in-house team of engineers and fabricators custom designed and built this unique rigid manipulator torque arm for lifting 150-pound parts. The arm features: aluminum, brass, and SAE660 bronze non-magnetic adjustable grip jaws with silicone rubber grip pads rated for 500 degrees Fahrenheit, 350-degree non-continuous rotation on the arm, 180-degree rotation with 0 to 90 degree and 0-to--90-degree positions; linear rail guided arm with 49.25 inches of vertical travel. The arm is controlled with a custom high-low grip/release and up/down handles using a common button for the gripper release and is integrated with Gorbel Workstation Bridge Crane and CM Lodestar hook mounted hoist with 2-step infinitely variable frequency control.

Our Easy Manipulator Arm (EMA) and a pneumatic grip tool was designed and built to lift and grip large power line electrical insulators. The air powered manipulator arm features precision bearings, 360-degree rotation at the mast, and 360-degree rotation at the secondary arm. The grip tool features a steel and aluminum powder coated frame, ergonomic handle bar with up/down, grip/release controls, rotation brake controls, adjustable grip jaws, and 10 degrees of horizontal adjustment allowing alignment of the insulator into a crimping machine.

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Our Lightweight Manipulator Arm (LMA) was designed and built to grip, and lift steel domes. The air powered manipulator arm features precision bearings, 360-degree rotation at the mast, and 360-degree rotation at the secondary arm with brakes at each rotation arm. The grip tool features a steel and aluminum powder coated frame, pivoting air powered double acting magnets, ergonomic handle bar, grip/release controls, and rotation brake controls.

Ergonomic Partners manufactured this under hung articulating manipulator arm to lift 200-pound steel and fiber drums. The arm and gripper tool features: an ergonomic handle bar, grip/release with a common button controls, proportional up/down controls, operator controlled brakes that lock the arm, air powered Linatex lined grip jaws, 360-degree rotation (non-continuous) at the ceiling mount, and 300-degree rotation at the secondary arm and 300 degree rotation at the end effector.

This unique low profile ergonomic jib arm grips, lifts, and rotates electric motors up to 500 pounds. The arms base has multi directional fork pockets and two locking clamp sockets for the motors to be stowed during the replacement process. The jib arms vertical movement is provided by a 2-ton variable speed hoist and has 6 feet of vertical travel. The arm has 153 degrees of rotation at the mast, 144 degrees of rotation on the primary arm, and 117 degrees of rotation on the secondary arm. Motor rotation controls and up/down controls are performed from a handheld radio remote, with grip/release/common button controls and brake lever controls on the secondary arm. The arm can rotate the motors 180 degrees and has Linatex lined pneumatic powered grip jaws.

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We integrated our Easy Manipulator Arm (EMA) with a custom lifting device to grip and lift large power line electrical insulators. The air powered Easy Manipulator Arm features: precision bearings for smooth, accurate 360-degree rotation at the mast, and 360-degree rotation at the secondary arm. The grip tool features a steel and aluminum powder coated frame, ergonomic high/low handle bar with high/low, up/down controls, rotation brake controls, and adjustable grip jaws.

Ergonomic Partners manufactured this 600-pound capacity hydraulic articulating arm to lift various length metal sheets. The HMA features proportional up/down controls, operator controlled brakes, and a safety system to prevent the metal sheets from being released in mid-air. The end effector is an adjustable vacuum gripper tool for different lengths of sheet metal.

Our ergonomic team designed and built this manipulator arm and end effector tool to grip and lift crucibles of molten copper. The arm features a powder coated steel frame, vertical limit stops, 360-degrees of non-continuous rotation with a pneumatic brake at the mast, and 330-degrees of rotation with a pneumatic brake at the primary arm. The tool features 360-degrees of non-continuous rotation with friction brake, a powder coated steel frame, heat shield, stainless steel grip jaws, high temperature hoses, ergonomic handlebars with grip/release/common button controls, proportional up/down controls, and parking brake controls.

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The low profile and lightweight design of this arm allows for fast and easy movements in very tight work areas. This arm can be customized with our floating handle to prevent the operator from bending down. The LPA uses pneumatic cylinders for lifting and a vacuum gripper to grab material. The arm uses precision bearings for smooth precise movement and can be fitted with operator controlled air powered rotation brakes.

Our load balancing manipulator arm is designed and built to pitch, lift and grip large rolls. The air powered manipulator arm features precision bearings, 360-degree rotation at the mast, and 360-degree rotation at the secondary arm. The grip tool features steel serrated jaws, aluminum powder coated frame, ergonomic high/low handle bar with interlocking high/low grip/release controls, pitch up/down controls, green/red grip indicator gauge, and load balance adjustment controls.

Our team designed, engineered, and fabricated this manipulator arm to lift 210-pound steel pipes. The arm features: vertical limit stops, 360 non continuous rotation with pneumatic brake on the mast, 330-degree rotation with pneumatic brake on the primary arm, and 360 degree non continuous rotation with friction brake on the secondary arm. The arms end effector is a magnetic gripper tool that features hi-temperature air actuated adjustable magnets, up/down controls, ergonomic hi/low dual interlocking grip/release controls, brake controls, and a green/red magnet grip indicator.

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This custom pneumatic manipulator arm grips and 90-degree pitches lead ingots for loading a CNC machine. The arms main feature: is the always on zero gravity float mode which allows the operator to control the up/down movement of the arm by pulling up or down using the grip handles. The arm has grip/release controls with a common button; and brake controls that lock the primary and secondary arms in any desired position.

This custom work seat allows the operator to have a wide range of movement for working on vehicles, machines, or industrial equipment. The revolving seat is attached to a manipulator arm allowing 360 degree rotation mounted on a 43 foot long bridge crane. It features a 4-point safety harness and lever controls for six feet (72") of vertical height adjustment allowing for movement in all directions.

This arm lifts and grips 250-pound batteries for loading large battery boxes. The uniquely designed secondary arm floats the in and out movement allowing operators to position the heavy batteries with smooth and precise movements in very tight work areas. The arm features: a lightweight steel and aluminum powder coated frame, air over oil cylinders -preventing buoyancy, locating guides, momentary up/down controls, grip/release controls, and power assisted down force controls.

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The Reach In Arm (RIA) is ideal for very tight work areas with low headroom. This arm is customized with 4 floating electromagnets and a battery backup in the event of a power loss. The arm uses precision bearings for smooth precise movement and has operator controlled air powered rotation brakes.

Our HMA Manipulator Arm is designed, engineered, and built for maximum work area coverage and operator ease of use.

This rigid manipulator lifting device allows one operator to load large metal cylinders into a CNC machine.

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This (ABA) Air Balancer Arm was designed to lift up 75 pound boxes in a low headroom application. The tool has an extended handle with two sets of controls to keep the operators in a good ergonomic position when the boxes are placed at the top or bottom level. The tool has an interlocking control to prevent the accidental release of the part in mid-air. This arm is under 10 foot tall and can load boxes up to 73 inches.

Pneumatic Manipulator for unloading and loading 200lb parts up to 1000 degrees F. The parts are coming out of an oven and put into a quench tank. To combat the heat, stainless steel jaws and heat resistant tubing was used.

This custom ergonomic rigid manipulator arm grips and lifts drums for loading and unloading a drum crusher. The arm has 360 degree non continuous rotation at the mast, 330 degrees of rotation on the primary arm, and 360 degree non continuous rotation for the vacuum tool. The tool has high-low up/down controls and high-low grip/release contols with a common button. The arm and tool have brakes located as each rotation point controlled with a brake lever. The vacuum tool features a vacuum grip indicator, an air saving vacuum cup, and the manipulator arm features a pneumatic actuator with vertical limit stops.

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This vacuum gripper tool is integrated into a rigid manipulator arm designed to grip and lift sheet metal. The air powered manipulator arm features precision bearings, 360-degree rotation at the mast with brake, and 360-degree rotation at the secondary arm with brake. The vacuum grip tool features a steel and aluminum powder coated frame, vacuum pressure gauge, force sensing handle which automatically senses operator movement for up/down control, grip/release controls with a common button and rotation brake controls.

Our Lightweight Manipulator Arm (LMA) was designed and built to grip, lift, 180-degree pitch, and tilt sink molds. The air powered manipulator arm features precision bearings, 360-degree rotation at the mast, and 360-degree rotation at the secondary arm with brakes at each rotation arm. The grip tool features a steel and aluminum powder coated frame, float mode with adjustable float mode controls, ergonomic handle bar, grip/release controls, rotation brake controls, 180-degree rotation, and tilt controls.

This tool was designed to pick up 300 pound gate valves to be loaded into lapping machines with very little clearance.

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Our triple articulated manipulator is perfect for extremely tight work areas. The manipulator arm and the end effector can be customized to fit your material handling application.

Custom Rigid Torque Tube to lift 300 pound gate valves. The tool uses a pneumatic cylinders to lift and grip. The tool has spring loaded detents for lifting at multiple angles.

This custom articulated jib is mounted on a rigid mast with 9 feet of vertical travel for loading and unloading a Broaching machine. The tool features: a steel and aluminum powder coated frame, radio remote controls with variable up/down, and grip/release controls with a common for safety. The mast uses linear rails for the 9 feet of vertical travel and has precision bearings allowing 360 degrees of rotation. The secondary arm of the jib has 300 degrees of rotation with adjustable rotation stop points.

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Our in-house team of engineers and fabricators custom designed and built this unique tool arm for lifting 200-pound square tubes. The arm features: adjustable grip jaws, vertical limit stops, 360-degree non-continuous rotation with pneumatic brake on the mast, 330-degree rotation with pneumatic brake on the primary arm, 360 degree non continuous rotation with friction brake on the secondary arm. The arm is controlled with a custom high-low grip/release and up/down handles with brake.

Air Operated Magnet Manipulator to grip multiple wire spools and load onto an unwinding machine. The rigid vertical lift cylinder is designed to lift up to 500 pounds of creels at once.

The precision bearings and the design of this arm allows for smooth and precise movements in very tight work areas. The arm stays in zero gravity float mode when loaded or unloaded; and uses pneumatic cylinders for lifting and gripping the parts.

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The lightweight design of this arm allows for fast and easy movement. This arm has optional air brakes that lock the unit in place when needed. This arm uses air to power pneumatic cylinders in order to do the lift.

This custom pneumatic manipulator arm lifts bearings. The grip tool has a momentary 360-degree rotation and the arm has brakes that lock the arm in the desired position.

This arm lifts and grips 250-pound batteries for loading large battery boxes. The uniquely designed secondary arm allows operators to position the heavy batteries with smooth and precise movements in very tight work areas. The arm features: a steel and aluminum powder coated frame, air over oil cylinders -preventing buoyancy, locating guides, momentary up/down controls, grip/release controls, and power assisted down force controls.

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Our in-house team of engineers’ custom designed and built this unique tool arm for grinding tall parts. Our team machined a one-of-a-kind sleeve bearing to allow this unique grinder to rotate and move 360 degrees on all 3-axis. The tool arm is articulating and has a wide range of movement. The secondary arm and has 50 inches of vertical travel and keeps the tool in a zero gravity position at all times. The mast for the arm is mounted to a portable base with locking casters.

Our team of engineers integrated a Gorbel G-Force with rigid telescoping tubes and mechanical fork tool for lifting off center loads.

This rigid vertical lifter was designed and built for installing HVAC Panels onto an assembly. It has 90 degrees of momentary pitch, continuous 360 degrees of rotation and grips the panels using four vacuum cups.

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Articulated Manipulator Arm with the ability to grip and rotate 200 pound parts 180 degrees for installation into pump housing.

We designed this rigid vertical tool for lifting steel tubes. It features a pneumatic grip and pitch and is integrated with the Gorbel Easy Arm.

Custom manipulator to grip and rotate 500 pound parts and load them in to a hydraulic press.

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Gorbel Easy Arm with rigid Thompson rod shafts utilizing a pneumatic grip, pitch and manual rotate for automotive parts.

This large industrial articulated manipulator arm with fork attachment is ideal for unloading trays of battery plates and loading them into a cart.

Rigid vertical lift column integrated with the G-Force zero gravity intelligent assisted lifting device.

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