Grapple Fixture

Power Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF ) are used on the International Space Station (ISS) docking points for the Roborterarm Canadarm2 and larger payloads. By means of PDGF the Canadarm2 can grab payloads (English grapple ) and so move at the station.

A PDGF consists of a flat base plate with a central pin in the gripping mechanism (English Latching End Effector ) intervenes. There are also three curved ramps that serve the fixed connection to the gripping mechanism. Four electrical connections allow the supply of energy and the exchange of data between Canadarm2 and ISS, or Canadarm2 and the payload.

PDGFs are mounted distributed over the entire American part of the ISS and thus allow the Canadarm2 move away from a docking point to another on the ISS. Larger payloads, such as the EXPRESS Logistics Carrier be gripped by Canadarm2 to the affixed PDGFs and moved.