Abstract: A self-actuated vacuum grip includes a piston mounted for back and forth movement within a chamber or cylinder. When the piston moves in one direction, it creates a partial vacuum in the chamber that can be used to grip an article. When the piston moves in the opposite direction, the partial vacuum is destroyed and the article is released. The piston is controllably moved back and forth by means of a second piston mounted in a second chamber or cylinder coaxially aligned with the first chamber and piston. The second piston is coupled to the first piston so that both pistons move as a unit. Compressed air is applied to opposite sides of the second piston to cause the second piston to move back and forth in its respective chamber. When the second piston is driven in one direction, it pulls the first piston in the same direction to create the partial vacuum. When the second piston is driven in the opposite direction, it pushes the first piston in the same direction to destroy the partial vacuum.