A two-finger parallel gripper moves opposed fingers symmetrically. This calculator is a limited SMC MHZ2-16D reference-point scaling, not a universal gripper model.
Two-segment Jaw Gripper Interactive Calculator
Enter pressure, a display stroke, gripping-point distance and friction coefficient. Force starts from SMC's 34 N external-grip effective force per finger at the 0.5 MPa catalog reference; real selection requires the official force-versus-gripping-point graph.
Equation Used
- The baseline is the official MHZ2-16D external-grip effective value of 34 N per finger at 0.5 MPa.
- Per-finger force is scaled linearly with entered pressure for reference arithmetic.
- The ideal friction bound assumes two equal normal contacts and coefficient mu.
- Entered stroke is a display value, not the MHZ2-16D rated stroke.
- Entered gripping-point distance is reported only as L/40 mm; use the manufacturer graph and limits.
- Dynamics, part geometry, contact pressure, acceleration, safety factor, moments, guide limits, leakage and suitability are omitted.
Two Opposed Fingers and a Catalog Force Definition
SMC's MHZ2 series is a linear-guide parallel air gripper. Its catalog defines effective gripping force as the thrust of one finger when both fingers and attachments are in full contact. For MHZ2-16D, the table lists 34 N external-grip effective force per finger and 6 mm opening/closing stroke for both sides.
What This Calculator Represents
The tool scales the 34 N-per-finger, 0.5 MPa external-grip reference with pressure. It sums the two ideal normal forces and applies 2μF as a simple two-contact friction bound. It does not replace SMC's gripping-point graph or selection limits.
Limited Reference-Point Arithmetic
sum normal force = 2F
ideal friction bound = 2 μ F
distance index = entered L / 40 mm
The entered display stroke and distance index do not modify force. For actual distance effects, read the official catalog curve.
Worked Reference Example
At 0.5 MPa the catalog-scaled external-grip force is 34 N per finger, so the summed normal force is 68 N. With entered μ=0.3, the ideal two-contact friction bound is 20.4 N. This is not a payload rating.
Assumptions and Limits
- Source-backed: parallel two-finger topology, 34 N external-grip effective force per finger and 6 mm both-side stroke for MHZ2-16D.
- Calculated: reference pressure scaling, summed normal force and ideal 2μF friction bound.
- Not calculated: actual force at arbitrary gripping distance, moments, dynamics, acceleration, contact pressure, part geometry, safety factor, guide life, leakage, controls or suitability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 34 N the total gripping force?
No; SMC states it per finger.
Does gripping-point distance change the calculated force?
No. Distance is reported as L/40 mm only. Actual force at a particular gripping point must be read from the manufacturer’s curve.
Does entered stroke describe MHZ2-16D?
No; the catalog stroke is 6 mm both sides and the input is only a display value.
Is 2μF a payload rating?
No.
Are moments and acceleration included?
No.
Can this select a gripper?
No; use the official graph and limits.
References
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