Instron's New Pneumatic Side Action Grips

FLUID POWER:  Instron®, a leading provider of testing equipment solutions designed to evaluate mechanical properties of materials and components, offers a new line of pneumatic grips designed with features to enhance gripping performance, usability and operator safety. The series offers a versatile gripping solution for a wide range of materials including plastics, metals, textiles, paper and foil.The 2712-04x Series Pneumatic Grips are available in 1, 2, 5 and 10 kN options. Designed with a robust, fully enclosed self-centering mechanism, you are assured exceptional, repeatable gripping performance. The dual-action gripping force ensures that the specimen self-centers, which allows the operator to easily maintain axiality of loading without having to adjust for changes in the specimen thickness. The enclosed design resists dirt and debris, keeping the grips clean and low-maintenance.

The Pneumatic Grips have a larger throat area that increases room for the operator fingers and reduces the pinching hazard. Other features include: an air valve to open and close the grips, rotatable air inlet with flow control, lock nut design that removes backlash, and a large space between the jaw faces and the grip body. The 5 and 10 kN models feature adjustable offset for lap-shear, composites, and other asymmetrical specimens.

 - Edited by Liz Taurasi