How to build SSG-48 Adaptive Electric Gripper
1-DoF robot gripper · Intermediate
Build Source Robotics' SSG-48: a brushless parallel gripper with 48 mm stroke, 5–80 N force control over CAN, Python API, ROS 2 and URDF files.
Some soldering, calibration and Linux comfort needed.
Our estimate, part-time
€773.50 is the store price for an assembled gripper, not a parts total
Apache-2.0
What is SSG-48 Adaptive Electric Gripper?
The SSG-48 is Petar Crnjak's open-source electric gripper from Source Robotics, the team behind the PAROL6 arm. A gimbal-style brushless motor and the Spectral micro BLDC driver move two jaws on a linear guide, and the driver's current sensing lets you set grip force.
Force is adjustable from 5 N for soft or fragile items up to 80 N for rigid parts. The jaws travel 48 mm and the whole gripper weighs about 400 g, which suits small cobots and assembly work.
Source Robotics sells it assembled, but the mechanics, firmware and software are all open under Apache 2.0 if you'd rather source parts and build it.
SSG-48 Adaptive Electric Gripper specifications
- Stroke
- 48 mm
- Grip force
- 5–80 N, adjustable
- Mass
- ≈400 g
- Motor
- GBM5208-75 gimbal BLDC
- Driver
- Spectral micro BLDC, CAN bus
- License
- Apache 2.0
Figures as published by the project. See Sources below.
Bill of materials
| Part | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GBM5208-75 brushless motor | 1 | |
| Spectral micro BLDC driver | 1 | |
| 100 mm linear guide with MGN7C sliders | 1 + 2 | |
| Shaft coupler, 6 × 2.5 mm magnet | 1 each | |
| M3 brass inserts | 16 | |
| M8 4-pin cable, XH/ZH leads, M2–M4 screws | — | |
| PETG printed body, lid, gear and jaws | — |
Where's the full bill of materials?
The full BOM, with exact quantities and vendors, lives in the project's own files. Prices change often, so treat €773 as a ballpark from the project. Start at the project repository.
Tools you'll need
- FDM printer (PETG)
- Soldering iron
- Crimp tool for M8 and JST leads
- USB-CAN adapter (slcan)
Step-by-step build overview
Electronics & wiring overview
Power (24 V) and CAN share one M8 4-pin connector. The Spectral driver sits inside the gripper and talks CAN at 1 Mbit/s to a host adapter.
Software
The Spectral_BLDC Python library sends gripper commands over CAN; there's also a GUI, a ROS 2 package and URDF/MJCF models.
Tips from the bench
- ☕ Glue the magnet squarely; encoder errors usually trace back to a crooked magnet.
- ☕ Start with low current when testing on fragile objects.
SSG-48 Adaptive Electric Gripper FAQ
How strong is the SSG-48?
Grip force is adjustable from 5 N to 80 N.
What arms does it fit?
Any, with an adapter plate; it's designed alongside the PAROL6 and ships URDF files.
Is €773 the build cost?
No, that's the assembled store price. The project doesn't publish a DIY parts total.
Sources
Written by Bots n' Beans from the project's own documentation. Check the sources for the latest revision before you buy parts.
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