Start with the job, then the row of numbers
A datasheet is only useful if you read electric gripper specifications in the same order you commission a tool: how far the jaws must move, how hard they must hold, how repeatable the place position must be, how fast one open or close may take, then mass, IP, and how the robot talks to the drive.
Below, each term is defined the way it appears on a typical parallel electric gripper parameter sheet, with one published example per term. Values come from the August 2026 selection parameter set used on this site’s model pages.
Stroke (total vs per finger)
Meaning: Distance the gripping mechanism can travel. Parallel two-jaw sheets usually list total stroke (sum of both jaws). Three- and four-finger sheets may list per-finger stroke.
How to use it: Measure the opening you need at pick and at place. The datasheet stroke must cover that difference with fingertip geometry included.
Example — EPGS-6-10: total stroke 6 mm; drawing opening max/min 20.9 / 14.9 mm.
Example — EPG2-26-15: total stroke 0–26 mm (adjustable range on industrial units).
Example — EPG3-10-50: per-finger stroke 0–10 mm (do not compare that number 1:1 to a two-jaw total stroke).
Gripping force
Meaning: Force available at the jaws under the maker’s test condition. Sheets may show a single value with tolerance (for example 10 N ±20%) or an adjustable range (for example 6–15 N).
How to use it: Compare force to your hold requirement after friction and safety factor—not to air-cylinder bore folklore alone. If the sheet shows ±20%, design to the lower bound for delicate parts or confirm on the bench.
Examples:
- EPGS-6-10: 10 N ±20%
- EPG2-26-15: 6–15 N
- EPGC-50-150: 40–150 N (adjustable)
- EPGL-150-1200: 360–1200 N (heavy long-stroke class)
Recommended max load
Meaning: Workpiece mass the maker recommends for that model under stated conditions. It is not a substitute for a full force calculation when acceleration or long fingers add moment.
Examples: EPGS-6-10 0.2 kg; EPG2-26-15 0.3 kg; EPGC-50-150 3 kg; EPGL-150-1200 15 kg.
Repeatability
Meaning: How closely the jaws return to the same position under rated conditions. Shown as ± mm.
How to use it: Assembly and press-fit stations care about this more than bag picking. Tighter numbers usually appear on industrial closed-loop series.
Examples: EPGS-6-10 ±0.1 mm; EPG2-26-15 and EPGC-50-150 ±0.02 mm; EPGL-265-800 ±0.1 mm; EPGL-150-1200 ±0.02 mm.
Open/close time (one way)
Meaning: Time to open or to close once, as published—not a full pick-place cycle.
Examples: EPGS-6-10 0.1 s; EPG2-26-15 0.3 s; EPGC-50-150 0.5 s. Long-stroke EPGL-265-800 is specified as 6 mm / 0.3 s (rate-style), while EPGL-150-1200 lists 1.5 s—read the unit carefully before comparing.
Mass and envelope
Meaning: Tool mass adds to robot payload; envelope drives collision checks.
Examples: EPGS-6-10 160 g, 23.6 × 38 × 84 mm; EPG2-26-15 400 g, 55 × 26 × 98 mm; EPGC-50-150 1 kg, 75 × 75 × 102 mm (without fingers).
IP rating
Meaning: Ingress protection of the gripper body as published.
Examples: EPGS / EPG2 family entries IP40; EPGC-50-150 documented IP54. If the sheet says IP40, do not assume washdown capability.
Voltage, current, and communication codes
Voltage: Parameter set lists DC 24 V ±10% across the series.
Current (examples): EPGS 0.2 A continuous; EPG2-26-15 0.3 A; EPGC 0.6 A.
Communication (selection codes on industrial series):
- N — I/O (NPN)
- M — Modbus RTU (RS485)
- NM — I/O + Modbus
- EC — EtherCAT (EPGL only in this parameter set)
EPGS has no fieldbus selection code—I/O only.
Optional columns you should not ignore
- Brake / power-off lock: EPGC brake configuration is confirmed before quotation; EPGL lists brake as standard on the documented rows; many EPGS/EPG2 rows list no brake.
- Fz / Mx / My / Mz: Static load limits on the guide—critical when fingertips are long. EPG2-26-15 example: Fz 140 N, moments 2.1 / 2 / 3.2 N·m.
- Noise / certifications: Sheets list noise caps (for example EPGS ≤50 dB; EPG2 ≤40 dB)—use them for cell acceptance, not as a substitute for force. Certificates available on request.
A one-page reading order
- Stroke definition (total vs per finger) vs your opening study
- Force and max load vs part mass and fingertip friction
- Repeatability vs process tolerance
- Open/close time vs takt
- Mass + envelope vs robot payload and CAD
- IP vs environment
- 24 V current + N/M/NM/EC vs robot controller
If any row is blank or marked unconfirmed on the source sheet, treat it as ask before buy—do not copy a number from a similarly named series.
Need a model matched to your sheet?
Send part mass, required opening, robot I/O or fieldbus, and cycle target on WhatsApp +86 130 4977 0422, or use the site inquiry form. Ask for the same parameter names used above so the reply lines up with the datasheet row you already have.
Related reading: gripping force explained, electric vs pneumatic grippers, the EPG2-26-15 and EPGC-50-150 model pages, and our pneumatic-to-electric retrofit checklist.