Vacuum suction cups | Vacuum grippers handle everything

For the gentle transfer of workpieces from or to the machines vacuum cups used, be it in paper production, packaging technology, food technology or beverage industry. The suction cups must not only grip securely, but should also be as easy and quick to install and maintain as possible. Modern Vacuum gripper are ideal for this purpose. You can find these and other new products below:

Content

• Modular vacuum grippers for handling
• Energy efficient vacuum ejectors
• Gripper with integrated vacuum generator
• Flexible handling with durable vacuum cup 
• Vacuum suction cups safely transport goods wrapped in foil
• Pick up thin workpieces safely and gently
• Modular vacuum gripper series with independent gripping zones
• Drive system in vacuum gripper for handling without compressed air
• Frequently Asked Question

 

Modular vacuum grippers for handling

12.04.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX | The new Vacuum gripper Series FGS-120 from Gimatic is modular, very flexible and energy efficient. With the modular vacuum grippers, differently shaped components in various sizes and different porosities can be handled very easily. A integrated vacuum generator provides the vacuum and makes the grab suitable for use in various industries. In packaging technology or intralogistics, the vacuum cups or vacuum plates reliably grip sheet metal, Plastic, Glass, wood, cardboard or cans.

Vacuum grippers are widely used in industry for the effective handling of products of all kinds modular vacuum grippers the necessary flexibility for different production requirements. They enable quick and precise gripping of workpieces and thus contribute to higher productivity. A wide selection of gripping systems and accessories enables individual adaptation to specific production processes.

Energy efficient vacuum ejectors

Oct 09.10.2023, XNUMX | Gimatic wants to be on the Fakuma 2023 draw particular attention to its extremely light and efficient multi-stage ejectors. They work according to that Venturi principle and can be used very flexibly. They are available in sizes small, medium and large. 

Around 150 different ones cartridges and vacuum pumps are available in eight product families. The ejectors are integrated into vacuum pumps made of POM or aluminum. They feature a retaining cap and silencer for custom installation. The range of vacuum ejectors also includes solutions with additional functions such as automatic blow-off in each cycle.

The ejectors are very efficient, compact and can be installed in the machine exactly where the vacuum is needed. Integrated in a gripper, the user benefits from high performance with low energy consumption.

Gripper with integrated vacuum generator

April 12.04.2023, XNUMX | Gimatic presents at the Interpack 2023 the new vacuum gripper series FSG-120. With an integrated vacuum generator, these are available in two versions: with self-closing valves or with calibrated bores in different grids. The standard products are 120 mm wide with lengths of 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 mm.

In addition, the vacuum grippers can also be adapted to specific applications in customer-specific versions. Take over the vacuum generation multi-stage ejectors of the type EJ-LARGE-HF-3. These vacuum generators offer high suction power with low energy consumption. The design of the vacuum grippers does not have any moving mechanical parts and no heat is generated. The gripping of workpieces is done with foam or with Polyurethane-Suction cups.

Foam grippers or suction pads

The 20 mm thick foam of the vacuum gripper is made of EPDM. It can be used in temperatures from -40° to 135 °C. The foam is easy to assemble and remove again. Leave behind when removing the foam no Residues on the extruded plastic part of the vacuum gripper. The different sizes of the foam offer a theoretical gripping force of 175 N to 2590 N payload on a flat surface and when the gripping surface is completely occupied by the gripped workpiece or object.

The suction cups of the vacuum grippers made of polyurethane (PU) materials are available with a diameter of 35 mm or 55 mm. The suction cups can be used in a temperature range from +10° to +45 °C. Polyurethane suction cups offer particularly high wear resistance. In addition, the suction cups adapt very well to uneven and porous surfaces. The different sizes offer a theoretical gripping force of 380 N to 2000 N payload on a flat surface with the gripping surface completely covered by the gripped object.

Vacuum gripper with two functional principles

There are two functional principles: vacuum grippers with calibrated bores and vacuum grippers with self-closing valves: The vacuum grippers with self-closing valves demonstrate their advantages in applications and formats where a high vacuum level must be maintained, even if the entire gripping surface cannot be used. These vacuum grippers are more flexible, faster, less sensitive to dust and more efficient because smaller pumps can be used. In the vacuum channel of this version there is a chamber with a metal ball. If no object to be recorded is found, the ball moves and hermetically seals the channel.

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gripper | pneumatic + electric from various manufacturers

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The execution with calibrated holes is predestined when no self-closing valves can be used (e.g. for vertical handling) or when the gripping system takes up around 90% of the gripping surface. Ambient temperatures of up to 180 °C are also possible with these grippers. They also score with their low weight. Here the vacuum channel has a constriction in the form of a calibrated micro bore. If no object to be recorded is found, a so-called known leak occurs in the vacuum chamber.

Flexible handling with durable vacuum cup 

15.11.2022 | The new ZP3C vacuum suction cup series from SMC is particularly user-friendly, is made of fluororubber and is low-wear. This increases the service life of the vacuum system. The new vacuum suction cup also safely handles workpieces with different surfaces. Whether with an open-end or Allen key, assembly and installation can be carried out quickly and easily. Consisting of the two assemblies adapter and suction cup, the suction cup and sieve filter can even be maintained without tools.

The mesh filter has a mesh size of 250 µm, which prevents foreign bodies from entering the pipeline. This reduces suction filter element replacement and simplifies cleaning and clogging control. Two different versions – flat suction cup with ribs or bellows – allow workpieces with flat and undeformed as well as uneven and/or concave surfaces to be transported safely.

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Robotic grippers, EOAT, gripper kits for cobots and industrial robots

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At the end of their service life, adapters and suction cups can be disposed of separately and are therefore environmentally friendly in the form of metal and rubber parts. But before that gives the robust fluororubber (FS61) the suction cups a long service life. Abrasion resistance is more than twice that of urethane teats.

The flat sucker with ribs is suitable for workpieces with a flat and undeformed surface. The ribbed structure ensures reliable suction and release of workpieces on the suction surface. The 1,5 step bellow Design safely transports workpieces with uneven or concave surfaces and is adaptable to changes in workpiece height and angle. Both versions ensure high process reliability and fast cycle times.

The ZP3C series vacuum cups are particularly suitable for the transfer of corrugated cardboard or other workpieces that require high abrasion resistance.

Vacuum suction cups safely transport goods wrapped in foil

 

08.09.2020 | In order to reliably transport products packaged in film within a system, flexible grippers with good guidance properties are required. The ZP3P-JT vacuum suction cup from SMC was developed for the gentle picking up and safe transport of goods. With a unique sealing collar, it adapts perfectly to the soft foils.

The optimized suction behavior and the increased dimensional stability of the Bellows ensure the consistently high quality of the end products. The vacuum suction cup with bellows was specially made for the transport of shape-changing foils Plastic and film packaging developed.

The particularly thin, flexible one Sealing sleeve takes the shape of the surface. In this way, it optimally sucks in film-wrapped products such as snacks, vegetables, detergents or liquids. Specially shaped ribs under the sealing sleeve significantly reduce the leakage between the goods and the teat. This allows safe and fast transport with accelerations of up to 4 G.

With 5 ½ folds, the vacuum cup with bellows ZP3P-JT compensate for different heights and angles as they occur with soft film packaging. In this way, it gently and safely sucks up differently shaped packaging. The vacuum suction cup then transports them without damaging them. The thin sealing sleeve leaves practically no suction marks. This keeps the exterior visually appealing.

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Heatable vacuum clamping plate | high-contour vacuum clamping technology

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Specially shaped Support ribs give the bellows its characteristic shape. This prevents individual wrinkles from sticking and permanent deformation of the vacuum cup after it has been set down. Inside the bellows, a guide increases the dimensional stability of the suction cup during suction. Pendulum movements during fast transport are reduced. Foils are only sucked in, but not sucked in.

The blue vacuum cup is available in diameters of 20, 25, 32, 40 and 50 mm. Due to the striking color of the ZP3P-JT, contamination from detached rubber particles is also present Visual inspections good to see.

Only materials that comply with FDA guideline 21 CFR §177 are used for vacuum suction cups and guides. This makes the ZP3P-JT series in Food industry and Medical Technology and pharmaceutical industry. The vacuum cup is suitable for pick-and-place applications where thin foils, sheets of paper and labels have to be handled.

Pick up thin workpieces safely and gently

08.08.2019 | When vacuuming plastic bags or film-wrapped, non-dimensionally stable workpieces with vacuum suction cups, wrinkles are created, the suction power diminishes and the transported goods can fall down. This is exactly why SMC has now developed the ZP3P series vacuum suction cups. The soft and flexible suction cup made of silicone rubber is ideal for suctioning this product group.

In addition, they meet the requirement 21CFR177.2600 and are therefore FDA compliant. They are therefore perfect for use in biotechnology, the food and medical industries, as well as in all applications where uneven, soft, non-uniform or very thin workpieces must be transported safely and gently.

Suction cup diameters of 20, 25, 35 and 50 mm are available. The special properties of the ZP3P vacuum cups are based on a number of successful design details: In the silicone rubber It is a very soft, extremely flexible material that still offers a secure hold even when wrinkles form.

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High vacuum, ultra high vacuum and extremely high vacuum

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In addition, the flat shape of the vacuum cups with numerous support ribs in the middle ensures that the workpieces being sucked in cannot deform. At the same time, this shape reduces the tendency to wrinkle. There are two connection variants to choose from for installation: one with an external thread for direct installation and one with an internal thread.

Modular vacuum gripper series with independent gripping zones

22.09.2017 | The modular vacuum gripper series from coval can be configured and adapted to any application. On the one hand, the suction cups can be configured in terms of shape, diameter and materials. On the other hand, the vacuum level can be adjusted using an electronic vacuum switch or vacuum valve.

The modular vacuum gripper series enables the creation of several independent gripping zones. This guarantees optimal vacuum management. The multi-zone division is particularly helpful when gripping and setting down, when handling objects of different formats and when optimizing palletizing layers. 

Through the diverse Customization options With the modular vacuum gripper, the customer can handle many different situations without having to install different grippers next to each other.

Drive system in vacuum gripper for handling without compressed air

03.08.2017 | Compressed air is difficult to represent, but it is very easy to save: Under this slogan, stage alternatives without compressed air. The suction lifting device “Etavac-SH-ZPN” is a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to pneumatics and conventional vacuum ejectors. The vacuum technology “Etavac” is powered by the drive system can Motion by koco Motion and Adlos powered.

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Frequently asked question

How does a vacuum gripper work?

A vacuum gripper is a tool that uses vacuum technology to grip and hold objects. The gripper is connected to a vacuum pump that creates a vacuum under the gripper. Due to the negative pressure, the gripper sucks the surface of the object to be gripped. Once the vacuum is stable, the gripper can pick up the load and hold it in place until released. Vacuum grippers have the advantage of securely gripping delicate or irregularly shaped objects without damaging or deforming them. They work very precisely, which makes them ideal for use in the automotive or electronics industry.

Source: This article is based on information from the following companies: Coval, Etaopt, Gimatic, Koco Motion, SMC.

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