Guide · Updated June 8, 2026
How to eliminate jaw changes in robotic cells
Jaw changes are the largest hidden cost in high-mix robot cells. This guide explains why they happen, what they really cost, and the five steps to remove them with flexible gripping.
Jaw changes feel harmless — a few minutes here and there. But in a high-mix cell they are usually the single biggest source of lost, unbilled time. The good news: they are also one of the easiest costs to remove.
Quick context: why jaw changes cost so much
A jaw change is never just unbolting metal. It is a sequence:
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Stop cell and machine | 1–2 min |
| Swap jaws / fingers | 3–6 min |
| Re-teach and verify grip | 4–8 min |
| Run and check test parts | 2–4 min |
| Total per changeover | ~10–20 min |
Multiply by changeovers per week and operating weeks, and a cell can lose 100+ hours a year to jaw changes alone — before counting scrap from mis-set jaws.
The five steps
Follow the steps above in order. The core idea is simple: replace a mechanical operation with a software one. When one gripper covers the full diameter range, switching parts no longer touches hardware.
What "good" looks like
- One jaw configuration for the whole catalogue.
- Changeovers measured in seconds (a program change), not minutes.
- No re-teach between part families.
- Setup-induced scrap eliminated.
How much could you save?
Use the ROI calculator to turn your changeover frequency and setup time into recovered hours and annual value. Most high-mix cells recover the gripper's cost in weeks.
Related
- Solution: machine tending
- Product: Flexi 150
- Story: why we built Servo-Flex