In pneumatic systems, compressors draw in ambient air that always contains some amount of water vapor. The process of compressing air to around 100 psi raises the air’s temperature, but also dew point and water-holding capacity. Any subsequent cooling downstream will likely cause some water vapor to condense. Liquid water in pneumatic systems creates problems […]
How do you size a vacuum cup?
Vacuum cups grip a workpiece by evacuating air from the space inside the cup, creating a partial vacuum at a pressure below ambient. In simple terms one can size a vacuum cup based on the load, available vacuum and cup area. But engineers should consider several other factors when sizing vacuum cups for a given […]
How do you select a vacuum cup?
When it comes to gripping and moving anything from cola cans to car fenders, vacuum cups on end-of-arm tooling are incredibly versatile devices in many automated handling systems. They come in countless types, sizes, constructions and materials to suit widely varying applications. Here are some general engineering considerations for choosing the right one for a […]
Vacuum cups: Key uses
Vacuum cups, or suction cups, are often used as grippers in manual or automated handling applications. They can secure and help move a wide range of products—everything from bottles and bags to bricks and wooden boards, and sheet metal, pipes and glass windows. In essence, they’re the interface between a vacuum system and the workpiece. […]
Converting pneumatic exhaust into hard cash
Pneumatic systems are notoriously inefficient. Granted, in recent years researchers and manufacturers alike have made great strides in increasing energy efficiency in fluid-power systems, to improve sustainability and save money. Such innovations range from no-leak systems and high-flow valves to low-friction cylinder seals and variable-speed compressor drives. But such advancements are often incremental at best. […]