End-of-arm tooling systems are devices that are attached to robot arms or handling systems. They are the end effectors that allow workpieces to be reliably gripped, held, moved, and placed.
EOAT solutions support industrial automation in manufacturing and robotics processes across industries such as automotive, electronics, and food & packaging.
For a more in-depth introduction, read our EOAT basics article.
Festo offers customised solutions for automotive production, whether for classic body manufacture or the future field of electromobility. Our suction spiders – specially developed vacuum pneumatic grippers – handle sheet metal parts quickly and precisely in the press shop and body shop. They ensure stable processes and enable high cycle rates. Ready-to-install systems that seamlessly combine electric and pneumatic actuator technology are used for assembling battery packs and electric motors. The result: reliable, automated processes with high energy efficiency.
Festo offers efficient automation solutions for the food and packaging industry, from sensitive product packaging to logistics. Soft grippers can handle sensitive products such as fruit, poultry or baked goods gently and hygienically in primary packaging processes. In secondary packaging processes, our systems ensure products are precisely grouped and positioned,even with changing formats. In palletizing operations, intelligent multiple grippers with low space requirements reliably stack cartons regardless of their shape. For intralogistics or handling random parts, smart bin picking with GripperAI enables robots to detect, grip and remove unsorted objects from bins more reliably. Packaging processes along the entire line can thus be automated reliably, flexibly and economically.
Festo offers high-performance solutions for the extremely precise and cost-efficient production of electronic components, whether for microelectronics, photovoltaics or e-mobility. During the assembly and testing of electronic modules, including odd-form assembly, our systems ensure precise motion sequences and reliable test results,even for complex or non-standardised components. Our handling solutions also achieve high cycle rates and provide smooth processes for sorting solar cells, so the sensitive cells can be transported and separated gently. In battery cell production, precisely coordinated components enable stable, automated processes with a high level of process reliability, for example for stacking,filling or sealing.
Festo offers precise and reliable automation solutions for life science applications; they are ideal for laboratory environments with stringent demands on cleanliness, repeatability and efficiency. When gripping and turning microwell plates and sample vials, our compact handling systems ensure even movements in the smallest of spaces are carried out precisely, quietly and quickly and are compatible with cleanroom requirements. In addition, we supply torque-controlled solutions for opening sample vials that can manage a wide variety of vials safely and gently, achievingreproducible results in every application. Our automation components also support precise liquid dosing during pipetting, from individual samples to high-throughput analyses. Festo brings efficiency and safety to every process step, providingreliable results in research, diagnostics and production.
Festo boosts efficiency when working with machine tools – ideal for production-related applications with very stringent demands on reliability and effectiveness. When loading and unloading machines, also with sheet metal grippers, our systems handle everything dynamically and reliably, even when quantities are high and materials are demanding. Festo makes it easy to automate format adjustments that were previously carried out manually. This saves time, reduces sources of error and increases flexibility when changing products. In quality control, precise measuring and testing processes can be integrated directly into the workflow with our solutions, creating seamless control without additional cycle time.
Festo brings automation to modern agriculture, especially for sensitive processes with multiple variants in plant cultivation and harvesting. With our flexible gripping and handling systems seedlings and plants can be gently separated and precisely placed – ideal for automated planting systems. And adaptable grippers safely handle delicate fruit during harvesting, without bruising it, and with high repeat accuracy and efficiency. This is how Festo helps you achieve greater productivity and consistently high quality
Festo offers innovative solutions for end-of-arm tooling that are customised to the specific needs of your industry. Discover our comprehensive portfolio and get advice from our experts.
EOAT solutions and end effectors from Festo are modular, precise and energy-efficient. They can be flexibly adapted to various applications in industrial automation. Festo is your cross-technology partner, from mechanical grippers, whether pneumatic or electric, to vacuum suction cups. Our expertise also covers the complete automation pyramid.
There are two types of grippers: mechanical grippers, which include pneumatic, electric, and magnetic variants, and vacuum grippers. Gripper systems can consist of both mechanical and vacuum components and include format adjustment, either linear or rotary, pneumatic or electric. Additional components such as valves, sensors and camera technology are often integrated into the system.
Gripper systems are tailored to the specific application. Environmental parameters, such as temperature, and workpiece properties, including material, weight, and surface, are central to the design.
Find out more in our blog article “How to Choose the Right Robot Gripper. A reliable EOAT gripping concept in five steps”.
EOAT plays a central role in many automation solutions, from simple gripping tasks to complex handling applications. A well-designed EOAT solution supports machine performance, output and product quality, and thus contributes directly to overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). To meet rapidly changing production conditions, EOAT concepts need to be flexible, adaptable, and future-ready.
Depending on the design, pneumatic grippers can be both lightweight and powerful, combining compact installation dimensions with a strong gripping force. This makes them particularly well suited for high-speed applications, harsh production environments, and compact manufacturing or assembly processes. They can also be a cost-effective alternative to electric grippers in places where compressed air is readily available.
EOAT solutions support different industries in different ways. They enable fast format adjustments in automotive applications, offer flexible gripper changes in electronics, ensure gentle handling of delicate products in food processing, and faciliate efficient packaging operations with vacuum palletizing and flexible format adjustment.
Festo develops energy-efficient systems that minimise energy consumption (both compressed air and electrical energy) and offer smart control options for resource-saving production.
You can purchase adjustable end of arm tooling and EOAT components directly from Festo. Depending on your application, Festo offers gripper kits, vacuum grippers, mechanical grippers and modular EOAT equipment that support flexible format adjustment and robot integration.
For sensitive workpieces, EOAT solutions with soft, adaptive or vacuum-based grippers are usually the most suitable. Vacuum grippers are great for gently handling delicate surfaces”gently, while adaptive mechanical grippers can adjust to different shapes. The right choice depends on the material, surface, weight, and the required handling stability.
Vacuum gripping is often the right choice when the workpiece has a suitable surface for suction, needs to be handled carefully or varies in format. Vacuum grippersare commonly used for flat, smooth, flexible, or sensitive parts, and can be combined with other EOAT components for complete industrial EOAT systems.
Pneumatic grippers are often suitable for compact, robust and high-speed applications, especially when compressed air is readily available. Electric grippers may be the preferred choice when flexible positioning, controlled stroke, force adjustment, or additional feedback is needed. Festo supports both technologies for EOAT solutions.
The right gripper size depends on workpiece weight, geometry, surface, gripping force, motion dynamics, and safety margins. Festo offers engineering support as well as sizing and selection tools to help compare industrial EOAT options and define suitable equipment for your application.
Yes. Festo offers gripper kits and EOAT components for many industrial robots and collaborative robots. Universal interfaces, documentation and engineering advice are available to help integrate end of arm tooling systems into robot and cobot environments from manufacturers such as Universal Robots, Fanuc, ABB and KUKA, among others.
Yes. Festo provides programming support for numerous handling components, including function blocks and device description files. These resources facilitate the integration of EOAT into control and robot environments and help simplify the commissioning of grippers, valves, and other automation components.