A gripper is a device that enables the holding of an object so that it can be manipulated. The easiest way to describe a gripper is to think of the human hand. Just like a hand, a gripper enables holding, tightening, handling, and releasing of an object. A gripper can be attached to a robot or it can be part of a fixed automation system. Many styles and sizes of grippers exist so that the correct model can be selected for the application. The following photograph shows a typical gripper: