A gripster is an industry term for an electric vacuum gripping device used to lift, hold, position, or move materials by creating suction against a surface. Derived from "grip" + "-ster", gripsters may be portable, handheld vacuum lifters operated by a person or a vacuum gripper mounted to a robotic arm, actuator, or automated handling system. Depending on the application, it may use a single suction cup, multiple cups, an array of vacuum elements, or other sealing surfaces to create a temporary, secure grip on materials such as glass, sheet metal, stone, panels, and other smooth or semi-smooth surfaces.
Heard on the job
Grab the gripsters and help me position this glass panel on the chassis before the adhesive sets.
Also heard as
- vacuum gripper
- vacuum lifter
- suction lifter