END-OF-ARM TOOLING / LOAD HANDLING ATTACHMENTS
FIXTURES & GRIPPERS FOR MANIPULATORS AND ROBOTS
Fixtures, also known as load handling attachments or end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), are the gripping and holding tools at the end of a lifting aid, manipulator or robot. Zeilhofer Handhabungstechnik from Holzkirchen, Germany, develops and manufactures seven types of fixtures: gripping devices, vacuum devices, magnetic devices, hook devices, screwdrivers and screw spindles, custom fixtures and robot grippers. Each fixture is individually designed according to component, weight, surface, temperature and process, rated for loads up to 1,200 kg and delivered CE-compliant as part of the complete system. Depending on complexity, delivery takes 15 to 25 weeks from order.
Every lifting aid is only as good as its fixture. Since 1999, Zeilhofer has delivered more than 2,500 systems, with around 250 custom-built systems added every year. Design and manufacturing take place entirely in Holzkirchen, with one contact person for system and fixture.
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Individual development for each component, loads up to 1,200 kg
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One contact person for system and fixture
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CE conformity of the entire system including fixture
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15 to 25 weeks from order to delivery
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
READY-TO-USE FIXTURE IN 15 TO 25 WEEKS
Step 1
COMPONENT ANALYSIS
Weight, geometry, surface and temperature, ideally based on your STEP file
Step 2
3D DESIGN
CAD design including risk assessment, coordinated with you
Step 3
MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing and assembly in Holzkirchen, quality control according to ISO 9001
Step 4
COMMISSIONING
Installation, parameterization and acceptance on site, 15 to 25 weeks after order
Fixture types
SEVEN TYPES. UNLIMITED VARIANTS.
Each fixture is individually developed according to component, weight, surface, temperature and process: never off the shelf, always tailor-made. The types can be combined, for example gripping and vacuum in one fixture for maximum safety when handling glass and panels.
01 GRIPPING DEVICE
Customer- and product-specific gripping devices for safe handling that protects the component. From simple parallel grippers and internal and external grippers to complex multi-point grippers with part detection and locking. For hot forgings and castings we use high-temperature gripping pads rated from 200 to 400 °C; standard grippers are designed for up to 80 °C.
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Manual, pneumatic or electro-pneumatic gripping
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Internal gripper and expanding mandrel for tubes, rolls and bores
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High-temperature gripping pads 200 to 400 °C for castings and forgings
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Part detection and locking, compatible with safety controls
Compatible with:
Hubachse ZH90 / articulated manipulator / Hebelift ZH / cable-jointed manipulator
02 VACUUM DEVICE
For delicate, smooth or large-area components that must not be clamped. Special suction cups and vacuum generators lift the load without damaging the surface, even on curved geometries. A dual-circuit vacuum system, vacuum reservoir and non-return valves hold the load securely even in the event of a power failure.
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For glass, sheet metal, plastic, wood
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Dual-circuit vacuum system with vacuum reservoir and non-return valve
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Vacuum monitoring with warning and safety shutdown
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Single or multiple suction cup configurations, no surface damage
Compatible with:
Hubachse ZH90 / articulated manipulator / Hebelift ZH / cable-jointed manipulator
03 MAGNETIC DEVICE
For ferromagnetic workpieces made of steel or iron: place, switch on, lift. We use permanent magnets, switchable electromagnets and electro-permanent magnets. The latter hold the load without power, so a power failure will not cause the workpiece to drop.
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Electro-permanent magnet with holding function during power failure
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For pneumatic and electro-pneumatic systems
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Controlled switch-off and set-down
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Ideal for foundries, sheet metal processing and laser cutting systems
Compatible with:
Hubachse ZH90 / articulated manipulator / Hebelift ZH / cable-jointed manipulator
04 HOOK DEVICE
The simplest and fastest solution for universal lifting. Hook devices offer maximum flexibility when a wide range of loads must be moved quickly, without component-specific changeover times. Combined with the cable manipulator, they are the most economical entry-level solution.
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Universally applicable, no changeover times
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Endless rotation for free positioning
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Ideal for logistics, warehousing and foundries
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Can be combined with all Zeilhofer lifting aids
Compatible with:
Hubachse ZH90 / articulated manipulator / Hebelift ZH / cable manipulator
05 SCREWDRIVER & SCREW SPINDLE
Thanks to their high torque absorption, our lifting aids are ideal for integrating screwdrivers and screw spindles. The reaction torques are fully absorbed by the manipulator, keeping the strain off the operator. Common screwdriver types can be integrated and monitored via IO-Link or fieldbus.
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Fully automatic or operator-guided screwing
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Reaction torque absorption by the manipulator
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Torque monitoring and logging
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IO-Link and fieldbus capable
Compatible with:
Hubachse ZH90 / Articulated manipulator / Hebelift ZH
06 CUSTOM FIXTURE
Is your component too complex, too delicate or too unusual for a standard solution? Together with you, we develop a fully tailor-made fixture, from the first sketch to the CE-compliant system. Lift-and-turn devices for rotating and tilting heavy components, quick-change gripper systems and versions for ATEX zones 2 and 22 are also possible. So are lifting frames and lifting beams for long, flexible or multi-point loads.
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Combination of several fixture types, e.g. gripping and vacuum
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Quick-change gripper systems for different components on one system
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Versions for ATEX zones 2 and 22
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One contact person from idea to acceptance
Compatible with:
Hubachse ZH90 / Articulated manipulator / Hebelift ZH
07 ROBOT GRIPPER
Zeilhofer also designs and manufactures grippers for industrial robots and cobots, as a single component or as part of a complete solution. Our expertise from more than 2,500 handling systems goes directly into robot grippers for heavy, delicate or unusual components.
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Custom-built for industrial robots and cobots
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Available individually or as part of a complete system
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Gripping, vacuum and magnetic principles and combinations
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Design and manufacturing in Holzkirchen
FAQ / Q&A
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FIXTURES AND GRIPPERS
01 What is a fixture or load handling attachment in handling technology?
A fixture, also known as a load handling attachment or end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), is the holding tool at the end of a lifting aid, manipulator or robot. It makes contact with the component, for example by gripping, vacuum, magnetic force or a hook.
02 Which fixture types does Zeilhofer HHT offer?
Zeilhofer Handhabungstechnik manufactures seven types: gripping devices, vacuum devices, magnetic devices, hook devices, screwdrivers and screw spindles, custom fixtures and robot grippers. All types can be combined.
03 Which fixture is suitable for which component?
The choice depends on material, surface, weight, temperature and geometry. Gripping devices suit dimensionally stable parts, vacuum devices smooth or delicate surfaces such as glass and sheet metal, magnetic devices workpieces made of steel or iron, and hook devices fast universal lifting. For complex requirements, Zeilhofer develops custom fixtures.
04 What happens if compressed air or power fails?
The load remains secured. Vacuum devices work with a dual-circuit vacuum system, vacuum reservoir and non-return valves, magnetic devices with electro-permanent magnets that keep holding without power. Mechanical grippers are secured by locking and part detection.
05 How long does it take to develop a fixture?
At Zeilhofer, delivery takes 15 to 25 weeks from order, depending on complexity. This includes component analysis, 3D design, manufacturing and quality control.
06 Can Zeilhofer build fixtures for hot castings and forgings?
Yes. Standard grippers are designed for up to 80 °C, high-temperature gripping pads for up to 400 °C and heat-resistant components for up to 600 °C. Magnetic and hook devices are also used in foundries.
07 Does Zeilhofer also build grippers for robots?
Yes. Zeilhofer designs and manufactures robot grippers for industrial robots and cobots, as a single component or as part of a complete system.
08 Who is responsible for CE conformity of fixture and system?
Zeilhofer supplies lifting aid and fixture as a complete solution from a single source and is responsible for CE conformity of the entire system including the fixture.