Abstract: Electric tweezers 1 includes a gripping member 13 for releasing/gripping an object, a base member 11 having an engagement portion to be engaged with the one end portion of the gripping member, a holder member 62 for fixedly coupling one end portion of the gripping member 13 and having a penetrating hollow cylindrical portion, a switch 57 for rotating and stopping a motor, a transformation mechanism 30 coupled with a shaft 52a of the motor 52 for transforming a rotation of the motor 52 in one direction into a quantity of translational displacement in a predetermined reciprocating direction with respect to the other end portion 13g of the gripping member, and an attaching section for attaching the base member 11 to a plurality of different positions relative to the holder member 62.

Abstract: A gripper comprises a motor 25, contained within a case 32, for driving a translational nut 23 that is moved in translation, a finger 20 having one end connected to the translational nut 23, with the other end being connected to the case 32, in which when the one end is pulled upon a movement of the translational nut, the finger is expanded in the amount of displacement at a top end, a plate-like stopper member 26 connected to one end of the finger 20 and having a projecting piece 26b around the outer periphery thereof, a holder member 22 for inserting loosely the projecting piece 26b, a locating nut 28 for adjusting a predetermined gap from the stopper member 26 by being threadingly engaged with a threaded portion of the holder member 22, and a spring 29 for pressing the locating nut 28.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for an optical component mounting apparatus and method. One embodiment provides a body defining a lens applicator tip at one end, wherein the lens applicator tip defines a lens contact surface. A lens retaining member includes a lens carrying tip defining a lens receiving opening and is slidably disposed over at least the lens applicator tip. The lens carrying tip is slidably positionable between a lens carrying position in which the lens carrying tip extends past the lens applicator tip, and a lens release position in which the lens carrying tip is retracted with respect to the lens applicator tip.

Abstract: A gripper for tweezers includes a case (1) intended to be mounted on a robot arm, enclosing (i) a tweezers fixing and indexing device (6-14) and (ii) a device for controlling the arms of the tweezers. The control device includes a motor element (4, 17) which controls the pushing devices (21) that act on the arms of the tweezers.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for an optical component mounting apparatus and method. One embodiment provides a body defining a lens applicator tip at one end, wherein the lens applicator tip defines a lens contact surface. A lens retaining member includes a lens carrying tip defining a lens receiving opening and is slidably disposed over at least the lens applicator tip. The lens carrying tip is slidably positionable between a lens carrying position in which the lens carrying tip extends past the lens applicator tip, and a lens release position in which the lens carrying tip is retracted with respect to the lens applicator tip.

Abstract: A modification kit for a reaching tool having a pair of elongated flexible spring fingers pivotally secured to a shaft and adapted to move toward one another to facilitate grasping an object includes a cuff having a sufficient interior space to receive and support therein a substantial portion of the spring fingers so as to constrain their outward lateral movement when they are moved towards one another for engaging an object thereby substantially increasing the weight load capacity of the reaching tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for handling objects, especially objects located in a well. The apparatus comprises a clamp and a clamp actuator. The clamp has a plurality of gripping members each having at least one gripping surface for gripping an object there between; the gripping members are moveable between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The clamp actuator is moveable between an engaged and unengaged position, wherein in the engaged position the actuator applies a sufficient compressive force onto the gripping members to move the members to their clamped position, and wherein in the unengaged position the compressive force of the actuator is sufficiently reduced that the gripping members can return to the unclamped position.

Abstract: A micro actuator including: a translationally driving section having a moving portion which is incorporated in a case 14 and moves translationally; and a displacement enlarging member 1 having one end portion 1g connected to the moving portion of the translationally driving section and another end portion 1h connected to the case, wherein as the one end portion 1g is pulled on the basis of the translational movement, the amount of displacement of its distal end 1a is enlarged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for removing a foreign object from the body of a human or animal patient, the device being formed from a single length of tubing, slit lengthwise at its distal end to define an envelope of a basket cavity, the envelope featuring a set of second strands, each formed by slitting one of the first strands over a distal portion of the first strand, which distal portion is less than the full length of the first strand.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an end effector, a gripper, that retrieves crystals that are mounted on cryo-pins from a storage location in liquid nitrogen. More specifically, the end effector of the present invention is a collet type of gripping mechanism.

Abstract: A grasping forceps for an endoscope according to the present invention comprises a flexible insertion section, an operating wire passing through said insertion section and adapted to be advanced and retreated in accordance with an operation of an operating section connected to a hand side end of the operating wire, and an elastic grasping section arranged in the leading end portion of said operating wire and composed of at least four elastic grasping members different in length having a habit of so flexing that leading end grasping portions formed at the leading ends of said elastic grasping members spread outwards from a center axis of said insertion section, wherein the leading end grasping portions formed at the leading ends of the plurality of elastic grasping members different in length are spread in a spiral arrangement at the time of spreading of the elastic grasping section.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a fish including fish grasping tongs having jaws at he distal end thereof for placement on the inside and outside of the mouth of a fish, and a hollow case for slidably receiving the fish grasping tongs, the case being adapted to force the tongs to close together as the distal end of the tongs is drawn toward the case.

Abstract: The present invention provides a packaging apparatus for gripping, lifting, and then moving a plurality of individual products from a first location to a second location. The apparatus includes first and second plates and a plurality of individual grippers that are each selectively actuated to grip a single product and to release the product at a preselected time. Each gripper includes a plurality of slots extending upwardly from the base of each gripper, thereby providing a plurality of gripper fingers. Each gripper extends through an appropriately configured hole in the second plate into a fixed engagement with the first plate. The second plate is movably mounted to the first plate such that it can be moved relatively thereto. The holes in the second plate are sized to engage the gripper fingers when moved apart from the first plate.

Abstract: In a method of producing a microgripper including a grip finger 100 which has a coupling portion 100g that commonly owns one ends of three V-shaped edges 100v on an open end side, other ends of the V-shaped edges 100v being connected to a case 14, and in which the coupling portion 100g is connected to a moving portion of a translational driving section 12, and the coupling portion 100g is pulled on the basis of translational movement, whereby displacement amounts of the tip ends of the V-shaped edges 100v are inwardly magnified more than an amount of the translational movement, the method comprises the steps of: in a state where the grip finger 100 has three edge portions 101a in which the V-shaped edges 100v having the coupling portion 100g are developed in a substantially flat plane, outwardly bending the edge portions 101a at a substantially center; and inwardly bending the edge portions 101a at a vicinity of the coupling portion 100g.

Abstract: A gripping device for a component mounting machine, the gripping device comprising a gripping device body (1) with a finger portion (2). The finger portion (2) is provided with at least two elongate fingers (3, 4) made in one piece, each finger (3, 4) having an outer edge (5, 6), the outer edges (5, 6) being provided for, in cooperation, gripping a component. The at least two fingers (3, 4) are flexible in relation to each other so that the outer edges (5, 6) of the fingers (3, 4) are moveable towards and away from each other. Movement of at least one finger (4) is controlled by a slide (7) engaging a part of the finger portion (2) remote from the finger (4) for positive movement of the finger (4) in different directions, the slide (7) being displaceably mounted on the gripping device body (1).

Abstract: A device for removing eyelets, in particular stainless steel eyelets, from textile or plastics sheets is provided. Eyelets in textiles or plastics sheets, for example in lorry tarpaulins, wear through in the course of their use and thus have as a rule a significantly shorter service life than the textile or plastics sheet. Thus, it is usual and economically worthwhile to replace the worn-through eyelets with new ones, in order thus to be able to exploit the total service life of the textile or plastics sheet. The removal of eyelets previously has been effected as a rule by hand, which is time consuming and uneconomical. Thus, there is provided a device for removing eyelets, in particular stainless steel eyelets, from textile or plastics sheets, having a claw head for pressing a beading of the eyelet in the direction of the eyelet center point or in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Gripper for holding flat objects (21), more particularly flexible objects such as single or multiple sheet printing objects, comprising two gripper limbs (11, 12) that can pivot in relation to each other and exert a clamping force on the object held (21) in a closed position and an actuating device engaging at least in one of the gripper limbs (11, 12) to produce a relative pivoting movement of both gripper limbs (11, 12). The actuating device can be displaced from an open to a closed position of the gripper limbs (11, 12) and has at least one sliding part (18) whose translational movement produces a force on at least one gripper limb (11, 12) either in the direction of the open position or in the direction of the closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lid gripping device for automated handling lids of sample vessels, the lids comprising a spigot to be grasped by the lid gripping device, and the lid gripping device is provided with a collet chuck for grasping the spigot of a lid. The lid gripping device comprises a positioning element for actively actuating the collet chuck, resulting in only minor forces needing to be applied for actuating the lid gripping device, thus permitting application more particularly in robotic devices.

Abstract: A multifunctional pick-up tool comprises: a central shaft disposed in a tubular body; a battery chamber jointed with the tubular body for storing a battery pack; at least a bulb located at the bottom end of the tubular body; a bundle of conductive cords arranged between the bulb and the battery chamber; a multiheaded claw and a resilient member disposed at a lower and an upper end of the central shaft respectively; an upper and a lower end of the resilient member propped against a push button on the central shaft and a pull knob on the tubular body; and a magnet positioned at the bottom end of the tubular body.

Abstract: An article piercing end effector for an industrial robot. The end effector includes a mounting bracket designed to be coupled to the arm of a robot. Positioned on the bracket is an actuator that is coupled to and controls the movement of a first plate. The first plate is supported by two guide rods coupled to the actuator. The first plate includes a plurality of pairs of opposed forks removably mounted to its underside of the first plate. Positioned below the first plate is a second plate with a plurality of holes generally aligned with the tips of each of the pair of opposed forks. The second plate is fixedly attached to the mounting bracket by standoff rods. When the first plate is moved by the actuator toward the second plate, the forks extending from the first plate travel through the holes in the second plate, which holes are chamfered for easy operation. The tips of the forks thus move towards each other to pierce items of interest, such as baked goods positioned below the second plate.

Abstract: The fixture for dismounting a CPU from a portable-type computer system having a motherboard with a CPU-mounting location is provided. The fixture includes a first device capable of displacing, a second device and a third device. The second device receives the first device and limits the displacement of the first device. The third device is responsive to an external force and forces the first device to make displacement such that CPU is dismounted from the motherboard.

Abstract: A compact gripping device includes a spring that can be retracted to retract ends of the spring via application of a force. The force can be either a downward (push) or upward (pull) force. The spring ends are retracted by removing the force. The spring engages a compact disc either by gripping an inside surface of a hole provided in the compact disc, or by contacting a bottom surface of the compact disc. An embodiment which grips the inside surface of the compact disc allows the compact disc to be axially rotated by the gripper, while the gripper which grips the bottom surface of the compact disc allows for multiple discs to be gripped at one time.

Abstract: A personal hygiene appliance extension handle for persons having limited hand reach or body mobility which has a grasping means for holding toilet tissue and functions as a hand extension to permit cleansing of the perineal area.

Abstract: A manually-operable device for use by tree stand hunters for retrieving items that have been left on the ground or that have fallen from the hunter or tree stand onto the ground, includes an elongated shank, a rope having one end attached to the shank and an opposite end for grasping by the hunter situated in the tree stand, a plurality of flexible arms attached to the shank which are movable from an open position to a gripping position and are radially disposed circumjacent the longitudinal axis of the shank, a trigger plate slidably mounted on the arms for selectively spreading the arms and selectively closing the arms so that the item can be retrieved and released, and a weighted disc mounted on the shank for linear, reciprocable movement thereon so that the movement of the disc on the shank causes the disc to contact the trigger plate thereby forcing the trigger plate to slide on the arms, thus drawing the arms toward the shank axis so that the arms engage and retrieve the item.

Abstract: A device for removing a tick attached to a host, such device having a tweezer with first and second tweezer arms disposed on a slide member movable within an outer casing, such tweezer arms movable within first and second channels defined on the inside of the outer casing with the front tips of the tweezer arms extendible and retractable through an opening in the front of the outer casing, with the channels tapering inwardly to compress and force the tips of the tweezer arms together as they pass through the opening to grasp a tick. A power source is provided in the rear of the slide member which can be a battery disposed within a chamber in the slide member and interconnected through a manually controlled switch to a heat member.

Abstract: A microgripper for gripping objects in which gripper arms are actuated against a resilient bias by cams and cam followers powered by a stepper or servo motor operating through a lead screw and nut drive mechanism. Ramp cams, face cams and perimeter cams may be utilized and the arms of the microgripper may be rigidly or pivotally supported at the ends remote from the component gripping ends thereof.

Abstract: Fly-fishing tweezers which are engageable with hackle or fishing line are formed from either metallic or polymeric material and include a pair of substantially parallel legs that extend from a proximal joint end. Each end of the legs of the fly-fishing tweezers is formed with an inwardly directed gripping member which has a friction bearing surface that will fixedly engage the hackle or fishing line. Furthermore, the tweezers are fitted with a locking slide that when moved in the distal direction, flexes the legs together and holds the gripping portions together. The fly-fishing tweezers include a rod member extending from the proximal end of the tweezers designed to be placed between the index finger and the thumb of an operator to faciliate the rotation of the tweezers around an axis, such as a fishing hook.

Abstract: A device for catching and holding an object is composed of a flexible sleeve provided with a magnetic element slidably fitted thereover. The magnetic element is sheathed by a jacket extending to form a locating body capable of locating at the bottom of the handle body or a protruded edge of a receiving portion of the flexible sleeve. The device includes a rod body provided at a top thereof with a button and at a bottom end thereof with a plurality of elastic claw pieces. The rod body is provided sequentially with a compression spring and a flexible sleeve provided at a top thereof.

Abstract: An extraction tool for removing a partial length fuel rod from a fuel bundle assembly, wherein the partial length fuel rod has an upper end plug, the tool comprising an extension rod having a pair of gripper jaws mounted at one end thereof, the gripper jaws shaped and sized to engage the upper end plug; and a locking tube slidably received over the extension rod and engageable with the gripper jaws to lock the gripper jaws to the upper end plug.

Abstract: A tube gripper device includes a one-piece gripper assembly of plastic material having a base portion and a plurality of gripper fingers extending therefrom in spaced apart parallel relation to each other for individual flexing movement relative to the base. A cam member is slidably engageable with each of said fingers and is connected to a solenoid actuator whereby upon energization of the solenoid actuator, the cam member is moveable to spread the fingers apart. A spring is provided for moving the fingers into gripping engagement with a tube upon de-energization of the solenoid actuator.

Abstract: A flexible wire wound cable (13) which surrounds a wire cluster (11) terminated in a hook (16). A handle (10) attached to the wire cluster allowing urging of the wire cluster in sliding motion inside the flexible tube. A handle (13) attached to the flexible tube allowing firm gripping of the flexible tube. A wire cluster (11) made of spring wire and formed to a curl at its extremity (15) and terminating in a hook (16). A hollow cap (14) fixed to the end of the flexible wire wound cable (13). A point with holes in it through which the spring wire can slide and protrude in varying length.

Abstract: A tool is provided for contacting a surface with a treating material without direct personal contact of either the surface treated or the treating material wherein the tool comprises a hollow cylindrical sleeve containing a spring-biased, expandable claw which, upon manual operation of a plunger attached to the claw, grasps, holds and releases the treating material.

Abstract: A media cartridge handling apparatus and method are disclosed which includes a frictional cartridge gripping feature and an optional cartridge flipping feature.

Abstract: A single-hand actuated pick-up tool, including an elongated hollow stalk terminating at spaced-apart distal and proximal ends, first and second short, flexible, spring pick-up fingers extending divergently outward from the distal end of the stalk and including flexible elements terminating the outer ends of the fingers for grasping an object when brought toward one another, a center strap extending from the first pick-up finger interiorly along the stalk and then back interiorly to the second pick-up finger, a handle formed in cooperation with the stalk including a handle member pivotally mounted to the stalk and further including a device for drawing the center strap rearward the fingers when the handle member is pivoted toward the stalk, and a first hollow stalk plug for slidable insertion in the distal end of the stalk for retaining the fingers by friction in mounted position in the stalk.

Abstract: A device for removing a tick attached to an animal or person having a tweezer with first and second tweezer arms disposed within a casing, such tweezer arms movable within first and second channels defined on the inside of the casing with the front tips of the tweezer arms extendible and retractable through an opening in the front of the casing, the channels tapering inwardly to direct the tips of the tweezer arms together as they pass through the opening. A power source is provided which can be a battery disposed within the casing and interconnected to the first and second tweezer arms. An electrical circuit is completed when the tweezer arms are in their forward advanced position extending out the opening of the casing to heat the tweezer arms and the tick grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A device for gripping and handling objects with a hole, such as compact discs, comprises a hollow carrier to be placed against the object at the hole, which carrier has an extremity directed toward the object which extremity is internally provided with at least two gripping fingers, which can be displaced relative to each other in radial direction of the hole to be engaged, in order to grip a peripheral edge of the hole with outwardly directed barbs at free extremities of the fingers and which can be displaced in axial direction to move the fingers out of the extremity of the carrier. The fingers are controlled by cooperating cams on both the carrier and fingers. These cams are fixedly connected to the carrier and the finger respectively and have such a shape that during the first part of displacement of the fingers from the extremity, the barbs define a first radius and during a second part of the displacement, the barbs define a second radius smaller than the first radius.

Abstract: There is disclosed a substrate holding apparatus comprising: (a) a member comprised of a top surface, a bottom surface, a center region and a plurality of segments disposed around and integral with the center region, the segments being defined by a plurality of slits in the member, wherein the segments bend and overlap when subjected to a compressive force, thereby decreasing the width of the member, and wherein the extent of bending and overlapping of the segments spontaneously decreases when the compressive force lessens, thereby increasing the width of the member; and (b) compressive force mechanism operatively associated with the member for controlling the amount of compressive force on the member.

Abstract: A replaceable nozzle tip for the vacuum spindle of a pick and place machine is provided with mechanical fingers for gripping a component. Vacuum normally supplied to the spindle for acquiring components by suction is used to actuate a plurality of mechanical fingers to acquire components by gripping that are not suitable for acquisition by suction.

Abstract: There are a number of situations where objects must be picked up and transported to a remote location for future disposal. The hand held grappling tool of this invention is designed to pick up and transport an animal carcass, but can be used for any object. A pair of pickup plates having sharp spikes on their interior surface are each supported on the lower end of a leaf spring. The two leaf springs are attached to the lower end of a hollow tube which has a handle rigidly attached near its upper end. An actuator mechanism comprises a cable attached to the pickup plates adjacent the lower end of each leaf spring and extending upward into the hollow tube to a trigger device. The two cables position the pickup plates to pick up the carcass by displacing the trigger device. A first trigger device distance places the pickup plates in a first position, with a first angular orientation so that the spikes contact the carcass.

Abstract: A microgripper for gripping and releasing an object, particularly very small objects. The microgripper includes a support and two cantilevered flexible arms, each of which is mounted on one end to the support. The other ends of the flexible arms are capable of being flexed toward and away from each other. A servomotor, is affixed to the support. There is a slide arrangement driven by the servomotor and which is adapted to move the unmounted ends of the flexible arms toward or away from each other, thereby providing, respectively, a gripping or releasing movement. An apparatus which includes a micromanipulator, the microgripper which is operationally, detachably affixed to the micromanipulator, and a control system which is electrically connected to the motor means whereby the movement of the slide arrangement is controlled.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mobile robotic arm which is adapted to grasp objects at low-level, intermediate level and high reach areas of a domestic dwelling. The device generally comprises a mobile base having a robotic arm rotatably and pivotally connected thereto. The robotic arm comprises lower arm, mid-arm, and forearm components which are pivotally interconnected and selectively extensible and retractable through the utilization of a controller which is preferably disposed upon an arm rest portion of a wheelchair.

Abstract: A tick removing device for removing a tick embedded in a human or animal host. In the preferred embodiment, the tick removing device includes an elongated sleeve with a gripping device inserted therethrough. The gripping device includes a pair of flexible and spaced apart legs that are movable between open and closed positions. An actuator button is disposed in the rear end of the sleeve and secured to the gripping device for moving the gripping device between the open and closed positions. A spring is disposed in the elongated sleeve for biasing the actuator button and attached gripping device toward a closed position. The gripping device is moved to an open position by depressing the actuator button which moves the attached gripping device in a forward direction through the sleeve. A pin mounted in the sleeve extends between the gripping legs and is sized to wedge the gripping legs apart as the gripping device moves through the sleeve.

Abstract: A pick-up tool is disclosed for picking up, moving, and releasing a variety of objects through the use of a single hand. A spring wire, formed into a crossing loop, is drawn through a bearing with the ends of the loop grasping the object in a pincers action. The loop is attached to a guide that slides along a shaft. A cord, attached to the guide, is pulled by the action of a rod that is rotatably disposed in a handle attached at an oblique angle to the shaft.

Abstract: A device for retrieving and disposing of animal waste in a bag and method of use thereof wherein no parts of the device come into contact with the waste and the operator need not manipulate or otherwise touch the bag after it has contacted the waste. A clean bag is placed over a pair of spring-biased scoop members carried on the distal end of an elongated shaft. The scoop members and bag are placed in a hollow sleeve, open at both ends, where the scoop members are retained with terminal edges thereof in closely adjacent relation by the sleeve walls. As the bag and scoop members are advanced out of the lower end of the sleeve, the scoop members are moved to spaced relation by spring biasing, and the closed end of the bag is placed over the waste. Moving the lower end of the sleeve back over the scoop members turns the bag inside-out, and the waste-containing bag may then be discarded by again advancing the scoop members out of the sleeve.

Abstract: A microgripper for gripping and releasing an object, particularly very small objects. The microgripper includes a support and two cantilevered flexible arms, each of which is mounted on one end to the support. The other ends of the flexible arms are capable of being flexed toward and away from each other. A servomotor, is affixed to the support. There is a slide arrangement driven by the servomotor and which is adapted to move the unmounted ends of the flexible arms toward or away from each other, thereby providing, respectively, a gripping or releasing movement. An apparatus which includes a micromanipulator, the microgripper which is operationally, detachably affixed to the micromanipulator, and a control system which is electrically connected to the motor means whereby the movement of the slide arrangement is controlled.

Abstract: A light bulb changing tool is provided which consists of an elongated pipe to be held by one hand of a person. An annular head is connected to an upper end of the pipe. A finger clamp assembly is carried within the annular head. A handle is slidable within a lower end of the pipe and is depressible by another hand of the person. A structure is coupled to the handle within the pipe for operating the finger clamp assembly. The finger clamp assembly can grip a light bulb to install and remove the light bulb from a lighting fixture at an elevated position from a floor. A guide assembly having a suction cup for also gripping the light bulb is carried within the finger clamp assembly to center and stabilize the light bulb within the clamp assembly.

Abstract: A gripping bell for bottles or the like, comprising a sleevelike housing which has on one side thereof a reception opening for a bottle, the reception opening being followed by a control surface which conically widens towards the inside, further comprising an axially movable actuating element arranged in the housing on the other side thereof, and a collet chuck acted upon by the actuating element and guided in the housing such that it is axially movable therein. The collet chuck has elastic gripping fingers which are separated from one another by slots and adapted to be moved in the radial direction by means of the control surface in response to axial relative movement between the collet chuck and the housing, whereby the gripping fingers will take hold of a bottle from outside or release it. A stationary guide surface (8) for the collet chuck (5, 5a) and its gripping fingers (7), is provided in the interior of the bell.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the location and removal of foreign objects from a difficult to access geometry utilizes a flexible lance (12) formed of individual hose bar segments (14) strung on cables (16) to give a structure that is flexible along its length and fairly rigid in a direction transverse to its length. Extending from working channels (18) of nozzle block (20) of the lance (12) are a pair of multi-prong retrievers (22). A miniaturized Videoprobe camera (24) is provided in the nozzle block (20) between the two retrievers (22). The retrievers are each connected to an actuating cable (26), which extends through the flexible lance (12) to a manual control (28). The camera (24) is connected by a cable (30) to suitable video processing circuits for generation of images on a video display (32). The cable (30) also houses a fiber optic bundle which conveys light to the area being serviced by the lance (12).

Abstract: The individual grippers of a gripper head provided for simultaneously introducing a number of bottles into a box or removing them from the box, where the bottles have neck diameters close to the diameter of the body of the bottle, have polygonal external cross sections with even numbers of sides so that the cylindrical sockets can lie close together. The sockets receive elastic inserts which are actuatable by pistons.

Abstract: An armature gripping machine for transferring an armature of an electric motor or similar machine from one location to another, to load or unload a processing station of a production line is provided. The collet and surrounding tube of the gripping machine can be changed quickly and automatically, to accommodate a differently sized armature shaft. A fluid-fed piston mechanism within the gripping machine translates the collet tube along a longitudinal axis, causing the collet to grip or release an armature shaft. The collet may be removed from the gripping machine and replaced with a differently sized collet to accommodate armature shaft of various diameters. Alternatively, the collet and surrounding tube may be removed and replaced as a single unit to accommodate larger variations in armature shaft diameters. The change-over process can be automated.