A gripping device for a part stacking system that according to one embodiment includes a plurality of supporting arms and a plurality of gripping elements attached to the supporting arms, at least some of the gripping elements being movable with respect to the respective supporting arm. Each supporting arm comprises at least one guiderail and each movable gripping element comprises a carriage movable in the corresponding guiderail. The static friction force between each carriage and the respective guiderail is such that the movable gripping elements are kept immobile with respect to the supporting arms by the static friction force during the part stacking process, and the movable gripping elements are positioned with respect to the respective supporting arm overcoming the static friction force.