Integrated vacuum pump and suction cup to deliver greater efficiency and reliability

Citation

(2003), "Integrated vacuum pump and suction cup to deliver greater efficiency and reliability", Industrial Robot, Vol. 30 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2003.04930cad.004

Integrated vacuum pump and suction cup to deliver greater efficiency and reliability

Integrated vacuum pump and suction cup to deliver greater efficiency and reliability

Keywords: Vacuum, Grippers

Vacuum technology company Piab has developed a new concept for more efficient material handling in decentralised vacuum systems. The new product series integrates the vacuum pump and suction cup in a single unit. This is reported to require less energy expenditure and to deliver quicker and more reliable work cycles.

Piab's new product series for material handling, vacuum gripper system (VGS), features a suction cup and vacuum pump integrated in a single unit, a "Gripper". The pump section builds on the company's ejector technology, Coax (Plate 4).

In traditional vacuum systems with the vacuum pump centrally located, the installation must be dimensioned to take into account possible pressure loss in the system. This often requires an over-dimensioning of the systems to achieve the desired rate of production. According to the company, VGS 3010 avoids this problem because the pump and suction cup are integrated and the system is reported to function even with feed pressure below 3 bar. This increases reliability in case of temporary drops in the air pressure network.

Plate 4 With the "stabilizer" add-on, which is fitted around the suction cup, the system need not include reserve suction cups in order to counter dynamic separation forces, says the company

"The system becomes more efficient, economical and reliable when one can avoid pressure loss and over-dimensioning", says Josef Karbassi, Market Segment Manager at Piab. In dimensioning and choice of the "Gripper", it is enough to know the required lifting force and the material to be handled. The right level of lifting force and response time can be achieved by adjusting the feed pressure. The system can be reset very quickly and is easy to handle different materials and objects.

The suction cups are manufactured out of specially developed polyurethane, Duraflex, which produces high-grip suction cups. The material has the same elasticity as rubber but the durability of polyurethane. Thanks to the large soft lips, the suction cup forms to the surface and, according to the company, can grip both porous and leaky materials as well as coarse and curved surfaces. The suction cups in the VGS 3010 are available in sizes from 35 to 110 mm in diameter and in different shapes and degrees of hardness.

The system is modularly constructed and the suction cups with molded fittings can be easily replaced and fitted using a removable thread insert, which means that the system can be adapted to meet changing needs.

In case of rapid lateral movement, transverse loads arise which can break loose suction cups allowing air to enter and inhibit lifting force. For stabilisation, vacuum systems have often been equipped with extra suction cups, which increases investment cost and energy expenditure. Piab's new concept features an accessory called a "stabilizer", which can be fitted around the suction cup to support it during lifts. This prevents the suction cup from becoming loose, thereby retaining lifting force. Thanks to the stabilizer, the system need not be constructed with extra suction cups. The stabilizer also helps to handle difficult- to-grasp objects with a vacuum.

For further information, contact: PIAB Ltd, Michael Leitch, P.O. Box 43, Loughborough, LE12 8NY, England. Tel: 01509 814 280; Fax: 01509 814 647; E-mail: m.leitch@piab.co.uk; Web site: www.piab.com