Available in three diameters, the new piGRIP Bag Lip has been developed to handle bags and pouches more efficiently than any other available suction cup on the market. This is clearly an outstanding suction cup for bag handling purposes. The special lip design in combination with the rigid and strong piGRIP bellows/body allows for bag handling speeds and accelerations never seen before in automation equipment for bags. Beside regular plastic bags for dry food (e.g. chips), the new piGRIP Bag Lips have been designed to have an excellent grip on stand-up-pouches filled with liquid or dry/wet food/substances. The lip material is FDA approved.

With this capability to handle faster accelerations and more high speed lifts, machines can run at faster speeds leading to shorter production cycles, and increasing overall productivity. The bag lips perform best at low vacuum levels with small amounts of vacuum flow, thus saving energy on the vacuum pump side.

Reliable functionality can be gained by using Piab’s new Flow Restrictors for the piGRIP suction cup. When handling different sized non-leaking parts with a lifting device, sometimes the suction cups can miss the object causing the vacuum pump to work harder to replace leaking air flow or to even drop the part itself. The Flow Restrictor reduces the leakage flow as it has a small bore hole to minimize leakage on open suction cups while still being able to safely and reliably handle the part with those cups still making contact.

Push-on fittings are now available from Piab for the piGRIP suction cup. Easy retrofits of other push-on cups are now a snap.
Being a modular product, the piGRIP suction cup consists of a separate lip, bellows and fitting. The bellows section has an addition of an extra-long bellows with 6 folds, doubling the height of what is currently available. This extra-long stroke allows gripping of parts in narrow deep places where it can perform the job of a more expensive cylinder. The 6-Bellows is available for all piGRIP cup sizes.

Piab

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All standard pump models in the series can be modified by selecting from an array of choices, including performance modifications, various head materials, multiple stages, wetted coatings, motor types (AC, brush DC, or brushless DC with speed control), connections, tubing, and mountings, among the many possibilities.

Regardless of modification, these lightweight pumps (from 0.56 kg to 1.8 kg) share key features designed to optimize operation and performance. All models are equipped with a patented structured diaphragm delivering high pneumatic performance and efficiency; operate without oil to ensure uncontaminated flow of the pumped medium; and integrate tough valve structures to easily handle vapor and condensation. They require virtually no maintenance and can be mounted in any position.

Depending on model, standard mini pumps can provide flow rates up to 20 lpm, achieve up to 27 in.-Hg vacuum levels with a single stage, and operate against pressures up to 35 psig. Modifications can expand the potential uses for these pumps to better fit your application.

KNF Neuberger Inc.

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Three Type VU models are available to meet varying pressure requirements, including high vacuum, medium flow (Model H); medium vacuum, high flow (Model L); and high vacuum, low flow (Model E). Service pressure (at 20º C) is 21.8-102 psi (0.15-0.7 Mpa), vacuum levels (at 73 psi, 50 psi for E) range from -19.7 to -27.2 in. Hg (66 to 92 kPa), and suction flow (at 73 psi, 50 psi for E) ranges from 0.25 to 0.9 scfm (7 to 24 L/min ANR).

These vacuum generators are offered in both metric and inch sizes. Port sizes include 1/4-in. and 5/32-in., as well as 4 mm and 6 mm. Six nozzle sizes are available including 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm diameters. Applications for the Type VU include pick & place and conveyor.

Pisco USA Inc.

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Using Piab’s MICRO COAX cartridges, the world’s smallest multistage vacuum ejector, the piCOMPACT10 range provides three times more vacuum flow than similar products. This reduces energy consumption by 30-50% compared with traditional ejectors, resulting in substantial sustainability benefits as well as energy and cost savings. By offering an increased vacuum flow, piCOMPACT10 ejectors strengthen product grip to increase pickup speed, minimize product damage and reduce waste. piCOMPACT10 also allows faster release of products from the suction cups onto the production line for efficiency gains.

Products in the new piCOMPACT10 range are smaller and lighter than conventional ejectors, reducing the total weight of vacuum handling systems. This innovative design allows vacuum systems to move more quickly to increase production capacity.

To help manufacturers achieve high levels of safety in production plants, the piCOMPACT10 vacuum ejectors use compressed air at lower pressure while still offering the same level of performance. This is ideal for handling products in the electronics industry where ejectors that work at low feed pressure are required and safety regulations are becoming stricter.

“Vacuum ejectors today are essential components for an uncounted number of general manufacturing and automation applications across a wide range of industries, with hundreds of specific product requirements. Across the board, manufacturers are seeking improved performance together with reduced total cost of ownership while always considering their impact on the environment,” said Häla El Sheemy Washbrook, VP Marketing and Communication, Piab. “Energy consumption is a key consideration for manufacturers when looking to reduce costs of a complete vacuum system. Working at low pressures with efficient COAX technology, the piCOMPACT10 range increases productivity for small product handling applications, saving money and reducing a manufacturers’ carbon footprint.”

The piCOMPACT10 vacuum ejectors are available in four versions to fit with a variety of systems, including those that require very low feed pressure or extra deep vacuum levels. In addition, the compact ejectors can be easily integrated into existing production lines with no modifications required, and can be quickly configured to meet individual manufacturing needs.

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In the last few years, the NCT transfer system has solved many customer problems associated with how to effectively handle materials that are porous, delicate, or have rough or soft surfaces. Now, in addition to the standard aluminum version, the NCT is available in PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), a high-grade polymer. The material expands the potential applications of the NCT to areas where aluminum components are not suitable. Resistance to chemicals, conventional solvents, acids, salts and oil are properties that make this new version of the NCT an ideal handling component for both the packaging and food/beverage industries. FDA- and EG-approved materials guarantee the safe use of these components, even in direct contact with food products. A low friction coefficient and high resistance to wear ensure a long service life and hygienic handling.

The Rexroth NCT unit provides a solution to handling challenges where suction cups are not feasible because good contact cannot be made with an object’s surface. Another advantage of the NCT is that a machine with mechanical grippers can be easily converted to the NCT, since it does not require a vacuum generator, unlike other devices that operate using vacuum pressure. The NCT series is available in four sizes accommodating lift capacities up to 2 lb (0.9 kg) each, and multiple NCTs can be used together for lifting larger weights.

Bosch Rexroth Corp.

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Continuous status monitoring of the entire vacuum system is made possible with an integral sensor and also visible by an LCD with additional bar graphs. If a leak develops, either gradually or abruptly, or in the event that vacuum evacuation time becomes longer, the situation is detected automatically by the vacuum generator. This is how the OVEM vacuum generator facilitates preventive maintenance and enables users to prevent potential machine downtime.

Preventive maintenance
The OVEM vacuum generator provides this added level of reliability by continuously measuring vacuum and comparing it to a user specified reference value. The user sets threshold values by means of a teach-in procedure in order to ensure that specified vacuum evacuation times and system cycle times are not exceeded. Cycle time is the characteristic value of overriding importance, determining the speed at which handling operations are executed and thus regulating system productivity.

Saving time
The vacuum generator and the ejector pulse are controlled by two integrated solenoid valves. Short distances and the resultant short cycle times ensure quick and reliable placing of the work piece. The ejector pulse can be regulated with a flow control screw. All control and display components are located in the front panel. High priority has also been given to ease of maintenance of the OVEM vacuum generator with the integrated filter effortlessly purifying process air. An inspection window is included in the front panel for monitoring and for timely indication of maintenance. The vacuum generator is thus nearly maintenance-free.

FESTO

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The pumps can satisfy a wide range of high-capacity applications, including medical therapeutic devices and diagnostic equipment, ideal for both suction and positive pressure devices. Their closed and durable compressor housing is designed to minimize noise (and an optional silencer can be specified for applications requiring extremely quiet operation).

These N838 pumps exhibit high pneumatic capacity and can achieve flow rates up to 42 LPM per head under atmospheric conditions, ultimate vacuum of 100 mbar abs. (27 in. Hg), and maximum continuous pressure of 7 psig. The pumps operate oil-free to retain purity of the pumped medium.

Their patented multi-port valve system integrates a circular valve disk spanning several smaller holes (instead of one large hole) to minimize deformation from stress, resist damage from condensate, and promote enhanced flow and increased efficiency. The design of the patented FEA-designed structured molded diaphragm eliminates the metal clamping disk that can become a source for leakage or corrosion in conventional pump models.

Modular pump design offers OEMs the versatility to choose from a wide variety of standard materials, performances, voltages, frequencies, and accessories (including noise and dust filters, hose connectors, and shock mounts) to meet particular application demands.

www.knfOEM.com

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The BLDC model is only 2.5 in. long, is available with optional logic speed control interface and features low EMI/RFI. The pump is maintenance-free, very quiet, and exhibits low vibration, low current and power consumption, making it ideal for mobile, battery-powered applications. All standard KNF pumps can be customized to meet specific OEM performance requirements. It is suitable for use in medical and analytical instruments, ink-jet printers, and pneumatic supply functions for prosthetic devices and ergonomic furniture.

www.knf.com

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Both models feature robust PTFE diaphragms and valves for optimal chemical resistance. The ME1C features a full fluoropolymer flowpath, for a complete chemistry-design pump. An optional vent control valve with dial gauge enables variable fine adjustment of the pumping speed.

www.brandtech.com

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These pumps feature as standard specially engineered multi-port valves to tolerate condensation without damage, perform oil-free transfer with uncontaminated flow and minimal maintenance, and run quietly with low vibration. They can achieve enhanced gas tightness with leak rates as low as 6 x 10-3 mbar L/s, deep vacuum potential of 2 mbar, and flows as high as 110 L/min.

Their modular design and available options enable easy customization to tailor pump to application. Pumps can be equipped with standard AC motors or explosion-proof AC versions for compliance with Class 1, Division 1, Groups C & D hazardous locations. Single- or doubled-headed pump options can also be specified. Wetted material choices range from economical aluminum heads and EPDM diaphragms to solid glass-filled PTFE heads and PTFE diaphragms, which offer higher resistance to corrosion and chemicals.

All N860 Series pumps are engineered to start reliably against vacuum, mount and operate in any installed position, and can be easily serviced in the field.

www.knf.com

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