At a Glance. SCHUNK covers three broad categories of workholding: robotic grippers (pneumatic PGN-plus and electric EGK series), CNC toolholding (hydraulic expansion PSH, shrink-fit / inductive AZB and GZB-S chucks), and compensating / special tooling (CTS compensating mandrels, GSW-B / GSW-V parallel / vibration-damped holders). The right choice depends on what you are moving (parts vs tools), how clean the environment is, and whether you need position feedback (electric) or simple open/close (pneumatic).
1. Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Product Family | Drive Type | Primary Function | Stock Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGN-plus (generic) | Pneumatic | Universal 2- / 3-jaw gripper | Project-specific |
| EGK | Electric (servo) | Position-controlled gripper, I/O or fieldbus | EGK 25-IL-M-B |
| PSH (expansion chuck) | Hydraulic (internal oil) | CNC toolholding HSK / SK / CAT | PSH 32-1-EX |
| AZB (inductive shrink-fit chuck) | Induction / thermal | High-precision shrink-fit for HSK / CAT | AZB MAZAK CAT 40 45° L1=44,1 |
| GZB-S | Mechanical shrink sleeve | Radial clamping sleeve for slim tools | GZB-S Ø8 Ø2.5 PK |
| CTS B | Pneumatic / mechanical | Compensating mandrel for inserts | CTS B-300-MM-V |
| GSW-B / GSW-V | Mechanical | Vibration-damped parallel holders / turning holders | GSW-B 50-P, GSW-V20-SND080 |
| CC ER (collet chuck) | Mechanical ER collet | Standard ER collet chuck for tooling | CC ER 16 P Ø1/8" |
2. Decision Guide — Which SCHUNK Series Fits Your Application?
- Pick-and-place parts with simple open/close, no position feedback needed? → PGN-plus pneumatic gripper, double-acting.
- Need grip-force control or open / part-present / lost-part detection? → EGK electric gripper (EGK 25-IL-M-B) with IO-Link or fieldbus.
- CNC spindle, need high clamping force > 25 kN and good damping? → PSH hydraulic expansion chuck (PSH 32-1-EX).
- CNC spindle, need balance grade G2.5 at 25 000 rpm and minimum runout? → AZB inductive shrink-fit chuck (AZB MAZAK CAT 40 45°).
- Need to clamp slim tools (Ø3–6 mm) without sacrificing rigidity? → GZB-S shrink sleeve (Ø8 Ø2.5 PK) on top of a shrink-fit holder.
- Need compensating mandrel for inserts (e.g. turning inserts)? → CTS B (CTS B-300-MM-V) — pull-back axial compensation.
- Need vibration-damped turning holder? → GSW-B or GSW-V series (GSW-B 50-P, GSW-V20-SND080).
- Generic ER collet on a CNC spindle for Ø1/8"–Ø16 mm tools? → CC ER collet chuck (CC ER 16 P Ø1/8").
3. Pneumatic vs Electric Grippers — Practical Trade-offs
| Aspect | Pneumatic (PGN-plus) | Electric (EGK) |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle time | 20–80 ms typical | 100–400 ms typical |
| Position feedback | Optional (limit switches) | Built-in (absolute / incremental) |
| Force control | Indirect (via pressure) | Direct (closed-loop current) |
| Air supply | Required (clean 6 bar) | Not required |
| Clean-room suitability | Limited (exhaust) | Excellent |
| Cost per unit | Lower | Higher (3–5×) |
4. CNC Toolholding — Why PSH vs Shrink-Fit (AZB)?
Hydraulic expansion chucks (PSH) are quick to set up — one Allen key, no heater — and they damp vibration well, making them ideal for heavy roughing and interrupted cuts. Shrink-fit chucks (AZB) require an induction heater but offer the best runout (< 3 µm) and balance grade, ideal for high-speed finishing and HPC / trochoidal milling. Many shops keep both families on hand.
5. Quick FAQ
Q: Can I retrofit PSH chucks with shrink-fit tools?
No — PSH needs the tool shank tolerance h6 and the hydraulic clamping pressure; shrink-fit tools need h6 tolerance and thermal expansion. Use dedicated shanks.
Q: Are SCHUNK EGK grippers IP67?
Many are IP65 or IP67 depending on variant; check the nameplate for the exact rating before using in washdown.
Q: What's the difference between GSW-B and GSW-V?
GSW-B is a vibration-damped boring bar holder; GSW-V is a turning holder with V-flange mounting.
6. Related Products in Stock
- SCHUNK EGK 25-IL-M-B — Electric gripper, IO-Link.
- SCHUNK PSH 32-1-EX — Hydraulic expansion chuck.
- SCHUNK AZB MAZAK CAT 40 45° — Inductive shrink-fit chuck.
- SCHUNK GZB-S Ø8 Ø2.5 PK — Shrink sleeve for slim tools.
- SCHUNK CTS B-300-MM-V — Compensating mandrel.
- SCHUNK GSW-B 50-P — Vibration-damped boring bar holder.
- SCHUNK GSW-V20-SND080 — Vibration-damped turning holder.
- SCHUNK CC ER 16 P Ø1/8" — ER collet chuck.
Need help sizing a SCHUNK gripper for a robot cell or selecting the right toolholder for your CNC spindle? Request a quote with your part / tool dimensions, cycle time and cleanliness class; we will cross-reference the right SCHUNK family and accessories.