Pneumatic Side Action Grips
Pneumatic side action grips are air powered grips that create a consistent and repeatable clamp load which ensures higher throughput and less operator fatigue. We offer a wide range of grips with different force capacities, sample types and sizes. Our standard grips go up to 220 mm (8.66 in) wide and 60 mm (2.36 in) thick and we also provide custom engineered solutions for more unique test samples. All of our pneumatic side action grips will fit any brand of test machine through the use of an adapter.
| Family | Max Force* | Max Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| G341P | 60 N (14.6 lbf) | 3 mm (0.12 in) |
| G140KP | 70 N (16 lbf) | 8 mm (0.31 in) |
| G94 | 100 N (22 lbf) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| G229 | 500 N (112 lbf) | 8 mm (0.31 in) |
| G240KP | 600 N (135 lbf) | 8 mm to 50 mm (0.31 in to 2 in) |
| G56KP | 600 N (135 lbf) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| G149 | 1.2 kN (270 lbf) | 11 mm (0.43) |
| G240GP | 1.3 kN (292 lbf) | 24 mm to 100 mm (0.94 in to 4 in) |
| G56GP | 1.3 kN (292 lbf) | 15 mm to 43 mm (0.6 in to 1.7 in) |
| G22P | 1.75 kN (395 lbf) | 60 mm (2.36 in) |
| G108 | 1.75 kN (395 lbf) | 30 mm to 60 mm (1.18 in to 2.36 in) |
| G501 | 2 kN (450 lbf) | 6 mm (0.23 in) |
| G83 | 3.5 kN (788 lbf) | 30 mm (1.18 in) |
| G132 | 3.5 kN (788 lbf) | 14 mm (0.55 in) |
| G370P | 3.9 kN (1,730 lbf) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| G370 | 4 kN (950 lbf) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| G65 | 5.5 kN (1,240 lbf) | 30 mm (1.18 in) |
| G232 | 8 kN (1,800 lbf) | 10 mm to 30 mm (0.4 in to 1.18 in) |
| G126 | 15 kN (3,375 lbf) | 22 mm (0.87 in) |
*Note force rating is at 7 bar (100 psi) air pressure. In most cases, the max force rating can be doubled with optional 16 bar (230 psi) air supply.
Having trouble finding the right combination of specs for your particular application needs? Give us a call and speak with one of our experienced applications engineers. We will work with you to come up with a solution and help you select the grip that meets your test requirements.
Fits Any Brand Test Machine
Our grips and fixtures will fit any brand of test machine. We offer adapters that allow the grips and fixtures to be used on test machines from TestResources, Instron®, MTS®, Tinius Olsen® and every other brand of machine.
Pneumatic Clamping Creates Higher Throughput and Better Repeatability
TestResources’ pneumatic grips deliver more accurate test results with less effort than comparable mechanical action grips. Some of the benefits of our pneumatic clamping, compared to mechanical action clamping, include:
Consistent Repeatable Clamp Load
Test repeatability is improved when all tests and samples are under the same constant clamping conditions which could vary with other clamps from test to test and user to user. The repeatability of pneumatic grips’ active clamping action makes it the ideal choice over mechanical grips. High elongation test samples shrink as they are pulled, this phenomenon is known as Poisson’s effect. For instance, as a rubber sample stretches, the sample shrinks. If you were to use a mechanical action grip to test a rubber sample, the sample will become thin and pull out of the jaws due to the rubber’s high Poisson’s ratio. Thanks to the active clamping action of our pneumatic cylinders, the pressure automatically adjusts to changing thicknesses and moves to hold a constant load regardless of the samples thinning.
Higher Throughput
Higher throughput is reached because our pneumatic grips provide efficiency through the fast clamping action to load and unload test samples instead of having to unscrew the grip each time. This is important in high production environments where many samples are being tested daily.
Less Operator Fatigue
Our pneumatic grips simplify operator activities, especially valuable in high volume test applications involving repetitive opening and closing actions such as supporting or being a part of a production line. This reduces the risk of repetitive strain injuries occurring on the job.
Fine-Tuned Clamping Pressure
Our pneumatic grips have the ability to test sensitive, delicate or fragile test samples compared to unregulated (manual) clamping which can damage, crush or cut thru the test sample, resulting in premature failures and lower test results. Our modular design allows for pneumatic cylinders to be added onto many of our mechanical grip designs, bringing ease of operator use and repeatability. Generally, air driven clamps are a more affordable solution than hydraulic clamping. This product line features relatively high capacity pneumatic grips. However, depending on your test requirements, hydraulic grips may be needed if the force capacity of a pneumatic grip is inadequate.
Learn more about our hydraulic grips with higher force capacities.
Side Action Grips Handle Wider and Thicker Test Samples Than Other Types of Tensile Grips
The side action grip design makes loading samples easy and minimizes potential of off center loads. The grip can be returned to the machine’s home position so that the sample can slide in from the side. This means that you do not have to put the sample in one side, then jog the machine and put the sample in the other side, like you would have to do with closed body grips.
The adjustable jaw position makes it possible to offset the jaws while maintaining sample centerlines. Offsetting jaws can be beneficial during lap-shear tests where the sample substrates are on opposite sides of the test machines centerline. Jaws can be offset for irregular or asymmetrical specimens such as lap-shear test samples.
Can be Configured to your Specific Application
Our grips and jaws can be configured to meet specific ASTM, ISO, DIN, EN requirements. We can configure the grips and jaws to fit any sample geometry including round samples like wire and fasteners as well as flat test specimens with or without shoulder tab ends.
Application examples:
- Adhesives
- Textiles & Geotextiles
- Sheets, Thin Films, Foils - Flat specimens
- Thread, wire, rope, rods – Round shapes
- Soft delicate materials
- Lap Shear samples
- Soft Tissues & Medical Devices
- Labels, tapes, paper, peel and adhesion tests
- Plastics, Delicate films, polymers & woven fabrics
- Rubber and Elastomers
- Foam
Test types:
- Tensile
- Tension-tension cyclic tests
- Not for use during dynamic fatigue tests
Compatible with Different Testing Environments
Grips can be constructed of different materials and surface treatments such as stainless steel, titanium and nickel coating. Nickel coated versions can be used inside hot and cold temperature chambers. The nickel coating helps protect the grips from corrosion caused by condensation from the freeze/thaw cycles inside the chamber. It also protects the grips from moisture inside humidity chambers which helps protect the grips from rusting over time. Nickel coated grips or grips made from corrosion resistant materials such as 316 stainless steel or titanium have an important benefit to people whose labs are in humid climates or near coastal areas of the ocean. Stainless steel versions are used in harsh environments such as saline bathes. Many biomedical tissue testing applications require testing in physiological conditions. These tests are typically carried out in biomedical baths with, water, saline, PBS (phosphate buffered saline) or a bovine serum media. The stainless steel material protects the grips from corrosion.
Standard and Custom Engineered Solutions
We offer multiple standard products as well as custom solutions. Standard grips handle samples up to 220 mm (8.66 in) wide and 60 mm (2.36 in) thick. However, our modular platform enables us to adjust designs for any application requirement including customized bodies and jaws for larger test samples. We understand that every sample can be unique. With this in mind, we offer custom engineered grips and jaw surfaces to match your specimen with any test force. Through the use of some of our standard elements, we can configure a wide variety of unique solutions without paying a “custom price” or waiting months to receive your order. Our modular platform approach satisfies virtually any application requirement.
Wide Range of Supporting Options
Interchangeable Jaws or Jaw Faces - We have various standard sized jaws available including wide width jaws and we can also easily custom engineer other sizes for unique test samples.
- Standard Jaws - Our standard jaws are the most affordable type of jaws and are attached with small screws.
- Snap on Insert Jaws - Our snap on insert jaws enables you to change jaws quickly. Testing a lot of different types of parts, snap on jaw inserts save time in test setup. The jaw insert carriers along with insert jaws, allows you to switch jaw faces in seconds, when you need to switch jaw surfaces due to a different test method, standard, or material property reason.
- Variety of Jaw Surfaces - We offer a wide variety of jaw surfaces for various sample types including:
- Smooth
- Rubber-coated
- Diamond grit
- Serrated
- V serrated jaws for round samples
- Line contact
- Wave / Corrugated
- Grab test jaw kits
- We also offer custom made jaw surfaces
Specimen Centering Tool - The specimen centering tool provides a settable backstop to ensure repeatable specimen location. This will help keep the specimen appropriately aligned and orientated to the direction of pull, resulting in more consistent test results.
Pneumatic Switch Kits – We offer many pneumatic switch kits. The G205 air kit includes the tubing, valves and fittings and foot pedals or hand switches.
Air Compressors – Silent and high (16 bar) pressure versions of air compressors are also offered.
Related Products
There are so many grips to choose from it can be overwhelming and you certainly don’t want to make the mistake of selecting the wrong one. Give us a call today to speak to one of our experienced engineers that will work with you to find the exact solution based on your test requirements.
