Industrial grippers and automation tooling have traditionally been expensive, slow to produce, and limited by manufacturing constraints. Four innovative companies (CNC Würfel, Gimatic, IAM 3D Hub, and Sodecia) discovered that HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology completely transforms gripper production with remarkable results.

The Traditional Manufacturing Problem

Manufacturers faced common challenges with conventional gripper production:

  • Long wait times: 8-10 weeks for CNC machining, 30+ days for vendor-sourced parts
  • High costs: Up to €4,500 ($5,176) per part using metal fabrication
  • Design limitations: Complex geometries were impossible or impractical to machine
  • Heavy components: Metal grippers required larger, more expensive robots
  • Complex assembly: Multiple components and fasteners increased production time and failure points

The HP Multi Jet Fusion Solution

Each company took a different path to 3D printing but found similar advantages:

CNC Würfel redesigned their gripper adapter with integrated pneumatic connections and blow-off valves in a single flexible component. "This 3D printed gripper adapter is so flexibly designed that we almost certainly wouldn't have been able to make it with milling," said Lars Weiß, responsible for 3D printing and sales.

Gimatic invested in an HP Multi Jet Fusion system to produce end-use parts, moving beyond prototyping to manufacture jigs, fixtures, and custom components on-demand. "Before the 3D printer, we couldn't serve clients requiring one or a few pieces tailored to their needs at a sustainable cost," explained Quality Manager Pietro Belleri.

IAM 3D Hub designed grippers for Continental Automotive Spain using organic structures that eliminated calibration needs. "We could design parts with much less complexity, in some cases reducing the number of components by 80%," said Technical Director Magi Galiando. 

Sodecia redesigned their aluminum grippers with modular, quick-change arms while maintaining the stiffness required for automotive welding applications.



Impressive Results Across the Board

Time Savings

CNC Würfel: 8-10 weeks reduced to 2 days (96% faster)

IAM 3D Hub: 30% faster creation, 40% faster installation

Sodecia: 30 days reduced to under 2 weeks

Gimatic: Functional prototypes delivered in days instead of weeks

Cost Reductions

CNC Würfel: 66% savings on gripper adapters; 95% savings on master part repository (€4,500 reduced to €150-250)

Sodecia: $1,000 savings per gripper by avoiding importation taxes

Gimatic: Made low-volume customization economically viable

Weight Reduction

CNC Würfel: 84% lighter master parts

IAM 3D Hub: 85% weight reduction enabled use of smaller, cheaper robots

Sodecia: Reduced power consumption and transportation costs

Design Simplification

IAM 3D Hub: Up to 80% fewer components

Sodecia: Fewer fasteners, simpler assembly

Strategic Advantages

Beyond immediate production improvements, manufacturers gained:

Supply chain resilience: Local, on-demand production reduces dependency on distant suppliers

Reduced inventory: No need for extensive spare parts warehouses

Competitive edge: Faster response times help win more deals

New market access: Economical customization opens previously unprofitable segments

Sustainability: Lower energy consumption, reduced shipping, extended equipment life

What Industry Leaders Are Saying

"With HP's Jet Fusion 3D Printing Solution, we had the ability to simplify both the operation of the grippers and the tooling required for final assembly. We could design parts with much less complexity, in some cases reducing the number of components by 80%. Our advice to other companies in the manufacturing industry is to start using it now," said Magi Galiando, Technical and Scientific Director at IAM 3D Hub.

"With HP Multi Jet Fusion we can now provide our customers with a complete solution that includes grippers, fingers, and 3D printed parts," added Guerino Rosso, Chief Operations Officer at Gimatic.

"The contexts and ways in which 3D printing can be used are constantly expanding, and in the business world as well as the consumer world, the possibilities are practically limitless," said Oliver Würfel, Managing Director of CNC-Automation Würfel.

Your Path Forward

The results speak for themselves: 96% faster production, 95% cost savings, 85% weight reduction, and the ability to create designs impossible with traditional manufacturing. These aren't future possibilities. They're proven outcomes happening right now in production environments worldwide.

Whether you're struggling with long lead times, high costs, design limitations, or supply chain vulnerabilities, HP Multi Jet Fusion technology offers a clear path to improvement. The manufacturers who've already made the transition aren't just saving time and money. They're winning more business, entering new markets, and building more resilient operations.

Ready to transform your production? MatterHackers carries HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing systems that deliver the results these manufacturers achieved. Our team can help evaluate if this technology fits your applications and guide you through implementation. Contact us today to discover how industrial 3D printing can revolutionize your production processes.