Essential Parts of a Claw Machine: Claws, Coins & More Explained

2025-01-15

Discover the essential parts of a claw machine with YPFuns. Our comprehensive guide explains the crucial components like claws and coin mechanisms that make these machines so captivating. Enhance your knowledge and maintenance skills to ensure your claw machine operates smoothly. Explore YPFuns for expert insights into the fascinating world of claw machine parts.

What is Claw Machine？

Wholesale Factory YP-UM5071 YPFuns ULTRAMAN Galaxy Attack Clip Machine

Claw machines, often known as crane games, have been a staple in arcades for decades. There’s something oddly satisfying about maneuvering the claw, hoping it’ll latch onto a prize, only to drop it at the last second. But what makes these machines tick? Let’s dive into the essential parts of a claw machine—because understanding the guts of these arcade marvels can give you a whole new perspective on the game. Ready? Let’s go from claws to coins!

What are Parts of a Claw Machine？

The claw machine usually includes cabinet framework, crane and claw, control panel,PSU, wiring and cables, motors and drive systems, prize area and so on.

Cabinet and Framework

Machine Cabinet

The cabinet is the outer shell of a claw machine, which is usually constructed from metal, plastic or wood, and contains all the internal parts. High quality claw machine is generally characterized by a metal casing with a thickness of more than 1.0mm, which during production is subjected to an acid wash. This makes sure that the machine is strong, long lasting and can be easily maintained. However, it important to note that there is a large variability of cabinet quality on the market. Competitive claw machines are made from materials that are less than 0.8mm thick or metal and wooden combinations which will not last as long.

Glass/Plastic Panels

Well, now, a cabinet would be useless if you can’t see inside it, would it not? That is why the glass or plastic panels come into the picture. These transparent sides allow players to see the prizes clearly but at the same time, all the inner parts are protected from theft.

The Crane and Claw

The Crane

The crane is the main attraction of the show. It’s the core of the claw machine, the part that contains all the mechanisms that make the claw work (or rather move). The quality of a crane machine part can last through hundreds of thousands of games of the game that is played on the crane machine. That’s like running a marathon every day and still coming out strong!

The Claw Mechanism

This is the claw mechanism and here is where all the action takes place. Normally the claw machine claw parts consist of three or four claws, this is the part that extends downward and tries to pick the prize. You are in the driver’s seat but sometimes it is not easy to get what you want as a fisherman does not easily pull his line back to shore. Sometimes the claw grips and other times it slips; that is the fun of it though!

Claw Motor

Every claw that is good has a motor that dictates the way it moves. You might think of it like the puppet master who is behind the scenes manipulating the puppet. The motor can vary the claw’s force, and that is important because that decides how simple (or difficult) it will be to grab that teddy bear. Have you ever felt that it was all over before the claw got its act together? Well, you can thank the motor’s settings for that.

Control Panel

Joystick and Buttons

Let’s talk controls. The claw is controlled like a car, the joystick is the wheel and it moves the claw left, right, forwards and backward. Some claw machines allow you to manipulate even the claw and move it up and down. The buttons, on the other hand, are what you use to drop the claw; the timing, here is crucial. It is like throwing a dart; one mistake and you are nowhere near the center.

Drop Button

After you’ve secured the claw, it’s show time! Pull the lever and it drops down, fingers crossed to get to the prize. It’s fast-paced, it’s brutal, and in many cases, it will leave you at the precipice of your seat.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

Like any other electrical gadget, claw machines require electricity. The PSU is one of the claw machine’s important parts that make everything work – lights, motors, and whatnot. A good PSU helps to maintain the functionality of the claw machine and avoid shorting out after few rounds. It’s the one that’s not really seen as the star of the operation, but is always there behind the scenes to ensure the fun continues.

Wiring and Cables

Here’s something you might not think about: the wires. They are like the blood circulation system: they provide electricity to every part of a claw machine. UL or national standards certified wiring is compulsory for safety and reliability of the wiring. You wouldn’t have your game to suddenly short-circuit, right?

Motors and Drive Systems

Movement Motors

Motors are scattered throughout a claw machine’s design. These bad boys are what move the claw along the X, Y, and sometimes Z axis, to ensure that it can be placed in the exact position that you desire.

Belt or Rail Systems

The claw does not just hang in the air; it is in belts or rails. These are like the rail on which the claw slides in the machine. If the tracks are wrong, well, good luck catching anything.

Prize Area

Toy candy claw machine filled with colorful plush toys.

Prize Box

Well, assuming you’ve got the hang of the controls, you’ve calculated the drop to perfection, and the claw actually secures a prize. Where does it go? Into the prize box of course! This is where all your hard work comes into play and where you reap your reward.

Prize Platform

Before a prize is grabbed it is placed on the prize platform. This is the section where all the goodies are arranged for you to look at, tease you and test your clawing abilities.

Electronic Control Systems

Main Control Board (PCB)

This electronic board is the main control unit of the claw machine and it regulates the time period, force of the claw and the motor. It takes inputs from the joystick and buttons to control play and it also has features of a video graphics card. Mainboard is a necessity for every claw machine since it contains basic features such as setting the claw force to make the game difficult yet not cheating, adapting the language and adding new options. The quality of the mainboard is determined through things such as the quality of the Integrated Circuit, flexibility and stability.

Microprocessors and Microcontrollers

These little chips are responsible for the game’s logic, it makes sure that nothing is cheating and all is well. They follow your actions, control the timer, and even introduce some elements of variability into the process.

Lights and Sounds

LED Lights

What’s an arcade without the lights flashing? LED lights in claw machines are not just there for show, they shine on the prizes and make everything seem more exciting. At times, they even flash in sequences to attract your attention like the light on the stage.

Speakers and Sound Effects

Oh, yes, the sounds! The happy tones, the victorious melodies, they all serve to lure you in. Without sound, it would be like watching a movie without any sound – how interesting is that?

Coin or Token Mechanisms

Coin Slot/Token Receiver

Time to pay up! The coin or token mechanism is how you begin the game. Insert your coin and away you go.

Coin Mechanism

This part ensures that you are using the correct currency. And if it doesn’t like the look of your coin, it will simply eject it back at you.

Bill Acceptors and Card Readers

In more modern machines, you can use bills or credit cards. Mobile payments are increasingly popular and some of these machines are even ready for mobile payments!

Game Timer

You don’t have time to control the claw. The clock is ticking, and you are under pressure to make the best and fastest decisions. It is similar to a countdown and you only have mere seconds to make the move.

Sensors

Proximity Sensors

These prevent the claw from straying too far and equally make sure that it always goes back to the original position. You should imagine it as the internal compass of the machine.

Prize Detection Sensors

Some claw machines also have features such as sensors that are able to identify when a prize has been captured. It is like having a high tech referee to ensure that you do not lose your deserved victory.

Display Screens (Optional)

Some of the advanced claw machines have integrated LCD/LED screens that are used to display game instructions, scores or even glamorous advertisements. It’s like having a billboard in your game, it just makes everything feel a little bit more contemporary.

Security Features

Physical Locks

Claw machines deal with lots of cash and prizes, hence the need to ensure that they are secure. Locks help keep good things away from those who steal them.

Tampering Sensors

Some machines also have tamper-detection systems to inform owners if someone is attempting to access areas he or she should not.

Conclusion

And that’s about it for a brief look at the most crucial components of a claw machine. It is important to know how the claw game parts operate in order to get a better grasp of the mechanics and thus have a better shot at winning. The next time you are standing in front of one, you will have clear understanding of what is happening at the back. Even the most insignificant claw machine part, such as the cabinet, is designed to provide that nail-biting experience everyone loves. Now, there is only one thing to do – to try it in the next battle against the claw!

FAQs

What kind of material should the best claw machine cabinets be made of?

Thick iron over 1.0mm is the most durable material used in high quality cabinet than other material such as MDF, Plywood and melamine.

Is it possible to change the strength of the claw?

Yes! The motor which opens and closes the claw can be adjusted to allow for easy grabbing of the prizes or make it difficult.

Are all claw machines operated through cashless payment methods?

Although not all of them, most of the new machines that are being produced today have mobile payment options or card readers.

Why do claw machine timers?

Timers create tension to the game, this is because the time within which you are expected to control the claw and make the move is limited.

What is the mechanism of the sensors in a claw machine?

Sensors assist the claw in getting back to its default position and can even identify when a prize has been lifted.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Toy Vending Machine

What Is a Human Claw Machine? A Complete 101 Guide

How to Get a Toy from a Claw Machine: Proven Tips

8 Fun Facts About Claw Machines: The Complete Guide

10 Custom Claw Mahcine Business Niches in 2025

Comprehensive Fun Zone Claw Machine Manual: Setup, Operation, and Maintenance

How Popular Are Claw Machines: Global Popularity

Prdoucts Categories

FAQ

Customization

What's minimum order quantity and how long could ship?

As normal, 1–10 sets for different items; please contact us for more information.

We will finish claw machines in 7 days after receiving the deposit.

About payment
We can provide bank letters of credit, and transactions will be protected by international law.

How can I solve the Game Machines malfunction?

Please show us what the problem was, and then our professional technicians will provide you with a solution in 24 hours. According to the game machines we sold, we gave away a small accessory kit for free. If you need to replace the main part, we only charge the cost friendly. Doing Win-Win business happily is the aim of arcade games claw machine manufacturer YPFuns.

Product

How about the quality of your calw machine products?

We can assure you that our claw machine products are of high quality. If the quality is not guaranteed, how could we attract returning customers? What we need is not short-term business but rather long-term cooperation.

How long is the warranty？

We offer an 18-month warranty and the concept of lifelong maintenance.

How much does claw machine cost?

There are some different prices for the claw machine on the market. But claw machines and gift machines are easy to use and have a lower price than other game machines. Our prices are 15% lower than the market price and depend on the quantity you need. The more pieces you need, the cheaper the price you will get.