Clamp-Type Automatic Fabric Spreading Machine

The clamp-type fabric spreading machine compensates for the shortcomings of the roller-type automatic fabric spreading machine when spreading extremely slippery fabrics (fabrics that easily slip during spreading), and is only suitable for non-elastic woven fabrics.

Clamp-Type Fabric Spreading Machine

Max. Spreading Speed: 0–15 m/min (Servo Speed Control)
Max. Fabric Roll Weight: 80–120 kg
Max. Fabric Roll Diameter: φ320–380 mm
Spreading Height: 100–180 mm (Multi-Ply Stacking)

What is Clamp-Type Fabric Spreading Machine?

A clamp-type（gripper-type）fabric spreading machine—also referred to as a clamp-type fabric spreading machine, fabric clamping spreading machine, or simply a gripper machine—differs from conventional “roller-type/cradle-type” spreading machines that rely on friction or gravity roller feeding. The core feature of a gripper machine is that it is equipped with mechanical grippers that perform fabric spreading through a mechanical sequence of “clamping the fabric edge—pulling along the table—securing and laying flat.” Consequently, it offers superior adaptability for certain materials that are prone to slipping, heavy, smooth-surfaced, or require precise length control.

Clamp-Type Fabric Spreading Machine Features

Clamp-Type Fabric Spreading Machine Advantages

Stable Clamping & Feeding

For fabrics with smooth surfaces, high susceptibility to slipping, or heavy weight, the grippers directly clamp the material for pulling, effectively reducing slipping issues caused by relying solely on roller friction feeding.

Precise Spreading Length Control

The position and travel distance of the automatic spreading machine are preset by the control system. The grippers clamp and release the fabric following a fixed sequence, helping guarantee consistent spreading length for every layer.

Strong Adaptability for Heavy & Thick Materials

Thick fabrics, laminated materials, furniture upholstery, and certain automotive interior fabrics encounter high resistance during feeding; the gripper mechanism provides direct and robust traction.

Automated Continuous Operation

Controlled via PLC, sensors, and a touchscreen interface, the equipment automatically completes clamping, pulling, releasing, cutting, and returning actions, drastically reducing manual repetitive spreading.

Seamless Integration with Multi-Ply Automatic Cutting Machines

Once spreading is complete, the gripper machine smoothly feeds the fabric stack directly into the cutting zone, creating a continuous “fabric roll–spreading–cutting” workflow.

Reduced Manual Handling & Bending

Traditional manual spreading requires multi-person cooperation, where prolonged pulling and heavy fabric roll handling increase physical strain and labor costs. The automatic spreading machine minimizes repetitive lifting and manual pulling tasks.

How Does Clamp-Type Fabric Spreading Machine Work?

1. Fabric Roll Loading & Pre-Relaxing
The fabric roll is placed on the rear feeding rack for pre-relaxing.

2. Fabric Clamping
A row of pneumatic grippers (air-controlled clamps) securely clamps both selvages (edges) of the fabric.

3. Servo-Driven Drag Spreading
The servo-driven spreading head travels forward along the long table tracks, dragging and laying the fabric flat onto the tabletop.

4. Fixed-Length Cutting & Cycle Return
Once reaching the preset length, the built-in cutter slices the fabric, the grippers release, and the head rapidly returns to the origin point to repeat the cycle for the next layer.

5. Photoelectric Automatic Edge Alignment
Photoelectric sensors automatically correct alignment errors to ensure all layer edges are precisely aligned.

Save

Saves Labor and Time Costs

Manual Spreading

Manual spreading requires at least 2 to 4 workers.

Automatic Spreading

Spreading with a gripper-type machine requires only one person.

Main Components

Ensuring Stable and Reliable Spreading Operations

Pneumatic Grippers

Pneumatically controls multiple sets of mechanical clamps to securely grip the fabric edges for pulling and dragging. Provides strong and evenly distributed clamping force, completely eliminating slipping and skewing issues when spreading smooth or heavy materials.

Automatic Circular Knife Cutter

Automatically performs fast transverse cutting once the fabric reaches the preset length. Delivers swift, clean cuts without burrs and supports automatic resetting, significantly boosting one-way spreading efficiency.

Rear Fabric Feeding Rack

Supports rolled fabrics and features a pre-relaxing mechanism, accommodating fabric rolls weighing 80–120 kg with a diameter of φ320–380 mm. Built with a heavy-duty structure for smooth unrolling, it effectively releases roll tension to ensure natural, flat spreading.

Long Spreading Table

Constructed with an aluminum alloy frame, a flat tabletop, and adjustable leveling feet. Features high structural rigidity, an exceptionally smooth and wear-resistant surface to prevent wrinkles, and enables seamless integration with the subsequent cutting area.

Electrical Control System & Touchscreen

Powered by a PLC + HMI touchscreen system to set spreading length, ply count, speed, and synchronized operating parameters. Offers an intuitive interface, emergency stop switch, intelligent parameter storage, and one-touch recall for multiple fabric processing presets.

Photoelectric Automatic Edge-Alignment System

Utilizes high-sensitivity photoelectric sensors to monitor fabric edges in real time. Instantly detects minor deviations and corrects alignment automatically, ensuring perfectly straight multi-ply stack edges to minimize material waste.

Compatible Equipment

The gripper-type fabric spreading machine can be integrated with multi-ply automatic cutting machines to directly convey laid-out stacks of heavy or non-elastic woven fabrics onto the cutting table, which not only boosts production efficiency but also reduces labor and time costs.

Multi-Ply Automatic Cutting Machine

When paired with a gripper-type fabric spreading machine, it can form multiple production lines, significantly boosting overall production efficiency.

Integrated Spreading & Cutting Machine

Utilizing a sliding rail interchange system, the automatic spreading unit and cutting head can swap positions between two workstations (spreading on one side while cutting on the other).

Gripper Type vs. Conventional Roller Type Fabric Spreading Machine

Comparison Dimension	Gripper-Type Fabric Spreading Machine	Conventional Roller/Cradle-Type Fabric Spreading Machine
Fabric Gripping Method	Mechanical grippers forcefully clamp the fabric leading edge for pulling and dragging	Rollers/belts rely on friction for active unrolling and gravity feeding
Suitable Fabrics	Smooth, heavy, highly slippage-prone, or strictly directional fabrics	Standard knitted, woven, and common cotton/linen fabrics
Edge Alignment & Tension Control	Relies on gripper pull force and rear presser feet fixation; high rigidity	Relies on servo synchronous sensors and expanding rollers; emphasizes tension-free control
Machine Structure	Added complex pneumatic/mechanical gripper assemblies and end-fixing presser feet	Mainly consists of unrolling rollers, tension-free sensing shafts, and fabric expanding mesh

Clamp-Type Fabric Spreading Machine Technical Parameters

Item	Parameter
Spreading Width	1600/1830/2100/2300mm (Customizable)
Max. Spreading Speed	0-15 m/min, Servo speed control
Max. Fabric Roll Weight	80-120kg
Max. Fabric Roll Diameter	φ320-380mm
Spreading Height	100-180mm (Multi-ply stacking)
Drive System	Servo motor, PLC + Touchscreen operation
Pneumatic Power Source	Air compressor required (0.6-0.8MPa, for pneumatic grippers)
Power Supply	220V Single-phase, Total power approx. 1.0-1.5KW
Functions	Automatic edge alignment, Ply count tracking, Spreading length setting, Out-of-fabric stop, Automatic head return to origin
Cutting Table Top	Extended workstation, Length customizable (4-12 meters)

Troubleshooting & Solutions

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
Fabric slips out of grippers	Insufficient clamping force, worn gripper pads, incorrect clamping position	Increase clamping force, check pads and gripper parallelism
Fabric damaged by grippers	Excessive clamping force, hard gripper edges	Reduce pressure, check gripper contact surface
Uneven fabric edges	Edge sensor offset, fabric curling, non-synchronized grippers	Calibrate sensors, adjust expander and gripper synchronization
Fabric stretching	Feeding speed too fast, insufficient pre-relaxing, uneven clamping force	Lower speed, increase pre-relaxing, readjust grippers
Inconsistent spreading length	Encoder error, slippage, fabric springback	Check encoder, clamping force, and length compensation
Wrinkling on fabric surface	Uneven fabric tension, insufficient expansion, edge curling	Adjust fabric guides, pre-relaxing, and expander device
Spreading machine shaking during operation	Contaminated guide rails, worn drive parts, improper speed settings	Clean guide rails, inspect drive and motor system
Fabric retraction during direction change	Delayed cloth pressing action, incorrect gripper release timing	Adjust sequence of cloth pressing and gripper actions
Fabric end not detected	Contaminated sensor, improper sensor position, fabric sagging	Clean and calibrate sensors
Asynchronous left/right gripper movements	Uneven air pressure, worn linkage, abnormal control parameters	Check air supply, mechanical connections, and sync parameters

About Conventional Roller Type Fabric Spreading Machine

9 Frequently Asked Questions

What is a gripper-type fabric spreading machine? How does it differ from a conventional roller-type spreading machine?

The gripper-type spreading machine uses pneumatic mechanical grippers to clamp the front edge of the fabric, pulling and dragging it into place. Compared to conventional spreading machines that rely on roller friction or gravity feeding, the gripper machine provides superior holding power, completely eliminating slipping and skewing issues when handling smooth or heavy materials.

What fabrics are best suited for a gripper-type fabric spreading machine?

It is ideal for smooth, easily slippage-prone, heavy, or non-elastic woven fabrics, such as canvas, non-woven fabric, leather, curtain fabrics, denim, as well as automotive interior and furniture upholstery materials.

Why is it usually emphasized that gripper machines are suited for "non-elastic woven fabrics"?

Because the grippers exert direct mechanical pulling force during the dragging process. If used on high-stretch knitted fabrics, this pulling force can easily deform or overstretch the material. Non-elastic woven fabrics, on the other hand, possess high dimensional stability, allowing them to withstand traction while ensuring exceptionally flat spreading.

Why are gripper machines better suited for heavy fabrics and industrial textiles?

Heavy materials like canvas, leather, and laminated fabrics generate significant friction and resistance during feeding. Roller-type active unrolling can lag or stall under high resistance. The gripper machine provides direct, rigid traction, ensuring stronger and more reliable pulling action.

How do your machines ensure accuracy in spreading length and edge alignment?

Truster CNC gripper-type fabric spreading machines utilize servo drives and PLC control systems to precisely manage travel distance. Additionally, they are equipped with a photoelectric automatic edge-alignment system that monitors fabric edges in real time and automatically corrects alignment, ensuring every layer is neatly stacked to minimize end waste.

What is the fundamental difference in feeding principles between a gripper machine and a conventional roller-type spreading machine?

Roller-type machines rely on roller or belt friction alongside gravity to actively unroll and drop fabric. In contrast, gripper machines physically “lock” the leading edge of the fabric using pneumatic mechanical grippers, dragging it flat along the track.

Why do gripper machines have an advantage over roller-type machines when handling smooth fabrics?

Extremely smooth or coated fabrics (such as silk, satin, and high-stretch windproof materials) tend to slip and skew on roller-type equipment due to insufficient friction. Gripper machines physically clamp the material, preventing slippage at the source.

How do the two types compare regarding spreading accuracy (edge alignment and fixed length)?

Roller-type machines rely on servo synchronization sensors and expanding rollers for dynamic adjustments, emphasizing tension-free handling. Gripper machines use clamp pulling force and rear presser feet fixation, offering higher rigidity and superior repeatability in fixed-length cutting and end alignment.

What are the differences between the two in structural complexity and maintenance costs?

Gripper machines include additional mechanical components such as pneumatic gripper assemblies, air distribution systems, and end-fixing presser feet, making their overall structure more complex than conventional roller types. As a result, daily maintenance requires extra attention to air supply stability and preventing wear on gripper pads.