Application Note | Injection Molding
Gentle part removal directly from the mold
Evaluate a defined Classic 2 Parallel SoftGripper concept for small, delicate, structured or still-warm plastic parts. The application note shows how adaptive silicone fingers can support controlled de-molding and flexible downstream transfer.
Application concept, not a guarantee of complete cell performance. Final part quality, extraction reliability and cycle time depend on geometry, material, temperature, mold, robot motion and downstream requirements.
The de-molding challenge
Protect parts, molds and uptime at the point of removal.
Part removal directly after the mold opens influences process stability, changeover effort and mold protection. Small, delicate, structured or still-warm parts can deform, show surface defects or be deposited incorrectly when extraction is not controlled.
Product-specific metal jaws can require substantial engineering and replacement effort when geometries change. Vacuum concepts may also be limited by small contact areas, structured surfaces, warm parts or complex shapes.
The Classic 2 Parallel concept uses soft silicone fingers that adapt around the part contour. Representative trials remain essential to confirm contact zones, extraction force, part quality and the complete robot cycle.
“Often” describes application potential, not a universal range. Each part family must be checked with representative samples and production conditions.
Solution concept
A compliant EoAT starting point for direct de-molding.
SoftGripping provides the adaptive gripping concept. The machine builder or integrator defines the complete EoAT, robot motion, mold-clearance strategy, pneumatic and control interfaces, part-presence checks and downstream handover.
Adaptive contact
Soft silicone fingers conform to the part contour and distribute contact instead of concentrating force at rigid jaw points.
Controlled removal
The parallel finger motion supports a defined grip before the robot extracts the part from the open mold.
Cell integration
The concept can be evaluated for existing automation cells, compact robot systems and cobot applications.
Variant potential
Intrinsic finger compliance can reduce the need for separate hard-jaw EoATs across similar part geometries.
Application validation
Part temperature, stiffness, contact zones, extraction force, cycle time and mold clearance must be tested.
Gripping principle
Compliant contact instead of product-specific hard jaws.
The two flexible fingers close in parallel around accessible part features. Their adaptability helps spread gripping forces and can reduce point loads on delicate surfaces and on the mold-side environment.
The gripper is only one part of a reliable de-molding process. The extraction direction, ejector sequence, permissible deflection, part cooling state and downstream placement must be engineered together.
- Designed for small, delicate, structured or still-warm plastic parts.
- Adaptive silicone contact supports varying contours within a validated part family.
- Compact parallel geometry can support restricted mold-side access.
- Final configuration and settings must be confirmed in a representative part test.
Integrator and processor value
Reduce EoAT complexity without hiding application risk.
For machine builders and integrators
Start with a compact, compliant two-finger concept instead of designing product-specific metal jaws for every similar geometry.
Then confirm flange and adapter design, EoAT mass and dynamics, mold access, collision envelope, pneumatic routing, sensing, ejector coordination, robot path and handover sequence.
For injection molders
The intended operational value is controlled part removal with less concentrated contact, fewer product-specific change parts and more flexibility across similar variants.
Before release, measure deformation, surface quality, extraction success, placement accuracy, cycle time, changeover time and any effect on machine availability.
Application selection
Known configuration - open application parameters.
The application note defines the gripping principle and intended use. It does not contain the force, temperature, pressure, lifetime or cycle data required for final machine release.
- Gripper concept
- Classic 2 Parallel
- Finger count
- 2 adaptive silicone fingers
- Finger motion
- Parallel closing
- Primary task
- Direct removal after the mold opens
- Target parts
- Small, delicate, structured or still-warm plastic parts
- Automation context
- Existing cells, compact robot systems and cobots
- Variant strategy
- Similar geometries may share one validated setup
- Expected EoAT effect
- Potentially fewer product-specific custom jaws
- Part data required
- Geometry, material, mass, temperature and stiffness
- Process data required
- Extraction force, ejector sequence, cycle and transfer path
- Quality data required
- Permitted deformation, marks and placement tolerance
- Integration data required
- Clearance, mounting, pneumatics, sensing and controls
Request final product data, CAD geometry, pneumatic requirements, temperature limits and control interfaces from SoftGripping for the selected configuration.
Feasibility checklist
What to validate before production release.
Part condition
Test the full temperature and cooling window, including stiffness immediately after mold opening.
Contact zones
Define surfaces that may be touched and the permitted marks, deformation and dimensional change.
Extraction mechanics
Measure release force and coordinate gripping with ejector pins, slides, cores and opening sequence.
Mold-side clearance
Verify the complete gripper, adapter, hoses and robot path against both mold halves and machine guards.
Complete cycle
Measure grip, extraction, transfer, placement and recovery rather than relying on gripper motion alone.
Variant coverage
Test the smallest, largest and most critical parts before claiming one setup for an entire product family.
Download the injection molding application note.
Review the de-molding challenge, Classic 2 Parallel solution concept and intended benefits - then plan a representative part and process test with SoftGripping.
