The PI2M231 is designed for clamping handling of one or more stacked slabs. This clamp has a clamping force proportional to the load being handled and these two modules ensure that slightly eccentric loads can be properly gripped. The contact interfaces can be designed to grip hard steel at high temperatures. The gripper is held open either by a reinforced automatic ¼-turn lock or by an additional mechanism such as a winch or auxiliary lift.