Complete Guide: How to Troubleshoot Faults and Maintain Pneumatic Grippers

　2026-04-28

Pneumatic grippers are vital end-of-arm manipulators in industrial applications. They are widely used in industries such as precision machining, automotive parts, casting and forging, new energy, and packaging. As operating hours increase, problems such as jamming, air leaks, or loss of gripping force often appear, slowing down production and affecting quality. Drawing from our engineering experience and real customer feedback, Aotto has put together this practical guide to help you quickly diagnose issues and maintain your Aovita grippers effectively.

I. Quick Troubleshooting: Common Issues and Solutions

In actual use, pneumatic grippers can develop problems due to harsh operating conditions, air supply issues, or normal wear. Here are solutions for the four most common faults:

1. Gripper Sticking or Jamming

Re-tighten the finger mounting screws to the recommended torque. Remove old grease and apply sufficient lithium-based grease to the slider and wedge block areas.

2. Slow Operation or Air Leakage

Inspect all air fittings and seals. Re-insert or tighten them as needed and replace any damaged tubing.

3. Abnormal Sensor Signals

Readjust the sensing target to the correct position (usually at the fully open or fully closed limit). If the problem continues, replace the sensor.

4. Gripping Force Drop

Adjust the supply pressure to the recommended range (typically 0.4–0.7 MPa). Make sure all throttle valves are fully open. If the seals are worn, send the gripper back to the factory for replacement.

For any physical damage to components, please contact Aotto’s after-sales team directly for part replacement or factory repair. Do not disassemble the gripper yourself, as this may affect its precision.

II. How to Maintain Pneumatic Grippers

Proper maintenance is the best way to extend gripper life and minimize downtime.

1. Maintenance Schedule

● Standard Conditions (room temperature, clean dry filtered air, low dust): Perform full maintenance every 500,000 cycles or every 6 months.

● Harsh Conditions (high temperature/humidity, moisture, corrosive gases, or environments with metal chips, aluminum debris, or sand dust): At least once a month.

2. Maintenance Points

① Cylinder Lubrication

Apply lithium-based grease through the Open and Close ports when the gripper is at the fully open or closed position. You can also add an oil mist lubricator to the air line (but once you start using it, it must be used continuously).

② Housing and Jaw Lubrication

Remove the bottom dust cover (4-M3 screws). Apply grease to the exposed wedge block and slider grooves, then put the cover back. Alternatively, remove the M5 set screw from the port marked “Lube” and add grease directly.

③ Cleaning

Clean the gripper thoroughly before applying new grease.

④ Rust Prevention

Coat all exposed steel surfaces with grease.

⑤ Regular Inspections

● Verify the air pressure is within the correct range.

●Ensure the gripper runs smoothly with no abnormal noise or leaks.

III. Why Choose Aovita Pneumatic Grippers

Aovita grippers feature a compact design, high gripping force, flexible mounting options, and a lightweight yet robust body. All key components are precision-manufactured in-house, and our ISO 9001 quality system ensures every unit performs consistently.

IV. Recommended Maintenance Routine

Daily (per shift): Check air pressure, listen for abnormal sounds, and observe operating speed to catch early signs of leakage or sticking.
Monthly (harsh environments): Clean, lubricate, and inspect sensors to prevent dust ingress and maintain smooth motion.
Every 500,000 cycles: Perform comprehensive disassembly maintenance or send the unit to the factory for professional servicing to restore sealing and precision.

By following these practices, Aovita pneumatic grippers can achieve millions of reliable cycles.

Stable gripper operation relies on correct usage, timely fault diagnosis, and standardized maintenance. We hope this guide helps you reduce downtime and keep your production running smoothly. For genuine spare parts, professional repairs, or technical support, please feel free to contact Aotto.