We machine the components that go on the end of a robot arm — tooling plates, adapter plates, gripper bodies and quick-change interface parts — from single prototypes through to repeat batches, usually in 6061-T6 or 7075-T6 aluminium.
What makes these parts different from general machining is that the whole assembly hangs off one mounting interface. The flange face must be flat and square to the bolt pattern, the holes must sit correctly relative to the tool centre point, and the plate must stay rigid under the payload without adding weight. A plate 0.05 mm out at the flange can put the tool millimetres off at the tip, so the mounting interface is the part’s real datum.
End effector parts we machine
- Tooling plates and adapter plates with dowel-pinned hole patterns
- Gripper bodies and finger mounts
- Connection brackets and wrist adapters
- Quick-change interface plates and lock bodies
Materials we machine these parts in
- 6061-T6 and 7075-T6 aluminium for stiffness-to-weight
- 17-4PH and 316L stainless for wear and wash-down
- Ti-6Al-4V titanium for the lightest stiff parts
- PEEK and POM for insulating or low-friction inserts
Interface and geometry points we check
- Flange face flatness and perpendicularity to the bolt pattern, which set repeatability
- Hole position relative to the tool centre point, so the tool lands where the program expects
- Weight removed from non-structural areas, balanced against the rigidity the payload needs
- Clearance for cable and air routing, usually the last thing to fit and the first to clash
Send the STEP solid and a PDF with tolerances and we will confirm which face is the datum and flag any feature that will not hold as drawn. The GD&T basics guide explains a flange callout.
Where end effector projects usually go wrong
- The flange is machined to tolerance but not square to the bolt pattern, so the tool is tilted rather than offset and no shim fixes it
- Weight is taken out of the plate before the cable route is fixed, leaving nowhere for the harness
Tolerance and finish we hold
| Requirement | Typical capability |
|---|---|
| General tolerance | +/-0.05 mm general, +/-0.025 mm on critical features only, +/-0.005 mm on precision aluminium and steel |
| Flange and bores | 5-axis hole patterns to 0.01 mm true position; bores ground to 0.001 mm roundness |
| Surface finish | Ra 1.6 to 3.2 um as-machined; Ra 0.025 to 6.3 um overall |
| Material certification | EN 10204 3.1 works / 3.2 witnessed; free material certificate on metal orders |
| Inspection | Dimensional report and certificate of conformity standard; CMM data and FAIR on request |
Frequently asked questions
Do you have experience with robot end effector components?
Yes. Typical parts we run are tooling plates, adapter plates and gripper bodies. We can share the process route and inspection approach before you commit.
Which materials do you recommend for end effector parts?
6061-T6 and 7075-T6 aluminium for most plates, 17-4PH where the interface wears, and titanium when weight is critical.
What tolerances do you hold on a tooling plate?
+/-0.05 mm general and +/-0.025 mm on critical features only, with 5-axis hole patterns held to 0.01 mm true position and bores ground to 0.001 mm roundness. Default is ISO 2768-m.
What files do you need, and how fast can you ship?
STEP (.stp/.step) and a PDF drawing with tolerances; PDF alone is not enough. We return a free DFM review and a firm quote within one business day, ship prototypes in 3 to 5 working days and run production in 2 to 4 weeks.
Related pages
- CNC machined parts — the index for this section.
- CNC Machined Brackets
- CNC machining for robotics
- 5-axis CNC machining
- Instant CNC quote
Get a price for your part
Send a STEP file and a PDF drawing with tolerances, material and quantity. We quote within one business day and machine in our own facility in Shenzhen.
Start an instant quote or send your drawings directly. English-speaking support, DFM feedback before you commit to a batch.