As an added bonus, this pen also can be used to improve strength and develop fine motor skills in kids. And, it is easily adaptable to both lefties and righties. That said, the pen’s longevity is not quite as lengthy as we might have hoped, especially if it is tossed in a bag or drawer until it is needed. Instead, try keeping this pen safe from banging around against other items to protect the integrity of its design and to lengthen its life. As it turns out, yes. How you hold your pencil really does make a difference—and it will also impact your writing. Your pencil grasp is directly related to handwriting speed and legibility. 1 A mature grasp is more efficient and less fatiguing. It involves good distal hold and control on the pen or pencil, which requires the development of adequate intrinsic strength and in-hand manipulation skills. Mature Grasp Styles Overall, these grips will give you more control while reducing your hand fatigue. And, the unique design gently encourages your fingers and hand to rest in the tripod grip, which is the preferred gripping position by most therapists. That said, these grippers do tend to collect dirt easily and their bright colors may not be appropriate for all business settings, but we feel these issues are minor if they extend the life of your favorite writing tools.

Designed with a wide barrel that boasts an ergonomic, latex-free cushioned grip, this pen reduces writing stress. In fact, Meredith Warner, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of Well Theory indicates that she opts for this pen when she gets writer’s cramp and finds it extremely helpful. Pros of pneumatic grippers include low cost, large grip force range, ability to operate in tight spaces and fast response times. However, pneumatic grippers are best suited to handling single part types, so they might not be a great fit if your facility produces a lot of low volume/high mix items. This gripper type also provides limited force and position control and requires compressed air to function. Interdigital grasp: The tips of all the fingers and the thumb are on the pencil, which is held without movement during writing. Pens like the Fisher Space Pen are known for being able to write no matter what position they are placed in. They can even write upside down and at zero gravity! That said, look for a writing tool that gives you a lot of flexibility when you hold it. You want to be able to use the pen or pencil in a way that is most comfortable for you. Weight (or Pressure Needed)

Easi-Grip Paper Holder

Choosing a gripper for your cobot can seem like a daunting task, especially with so many different types of grippers in robotics and so much overlapping terminology.

One issue with traditional pens is that they often force your hand and fingers into a specific position when you are writing. But if you have a condition like arthritis or carpal tunnel this can cause pain and discomfort. For this reason, you want to find a writing tool that allows you to write at any angle, Dr. Warner says. Endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation, this retractable ballpoint pen also boasts a contoured rubber grip to give you maximum control. Plus, the refillable ink allows your pen to be reused instead of being replaced, which is not only more economical but also environmentally-conscious. In the newborn hand, there is a normal physiological flexion. The hand reflexively grasps around objects placed in it. 2,3 As the baby starts to spend more time in prone, they open their fingers more 3 and learn to push up onto the hands. Grasp of objects progresses from a crude palmar grasp, to ulnar palmar, to a raking grasp, to a radial palmar grasp. By 8 to 9 months of age, the palmar arches are starting to develop as the child’s weight shifts through their hands as they crawl. As a neat pincer grasp develops, the child is able to isolate their finger for pointing. 2,3 There are several factors to keep in mind when choosing a gripper, but the most important is to be led by the specific application you have in mind. Universal Robots makes this easy for you through the UR+ ecosystem, which provides a wide range of grippers specifically designed to handle the most common manufacturing tasks. Nevertheless, there are still some important questions to ask when selecting a gripper for your cobot:

Deluxe Retractable Grip Pencil

Take another look at the pencil in your hand. Can you identify your grasp as one of these? If not, do not despair.