GRIPPER FOR A RAPIER WEAVING MACHINE

The invention relates to a gripper (1) for rapier weaving machine, wherein the gripper (1) comprises a gripper body (2) and a clamping device (3) for clamping a weft thread, wherein the gripper body (2) comprises a base section (20), a first side section (21) adjoining the base section (20), a second side section (22) adjoining the base section (20) opposite to the first side section (21), and a hook (26) provided at a distal end (10) of the gripper body (2), wherein the clamping device (3) comprises a moveable clamping element (30), a spring element (31), and an opener element (32), wherein the gripper body (2) comprises an upper section (23) opposite to the base section (20), wherein the upper section (23) adjoins the first side section (21) and is connected via a web (24, 25) to at least one of the second side section (22) and the base section (20), wherein the first side section (21), the second side section (22), the upper section (23) and the web (24, 25) are formed integrally with the base section (20), and wherein the opener element (32) is mounted between the upper section (23) and the base section (20). The invention further relates to a gripper assembly comprising a gripper (1) and a rapier (5) for carrying the gripper, in particular a gripper band. The invention further relates to a weaving machine and a method for manufacturing a gripper (1).