Vacuum component

In vacuum components is components for automation, such as the equipment of industrial robots, handling equipment and packaging machines. These include suction cups, fastening elements, filters, valves, system monitoring systems, vacuum generators and complete vacuum gripping systems. The common characteristic is the use of a vacuum as a force .

Compare the technical explanations of the vacuum components under vacuum technology .

The functionality of the various vacuum components is explained in more detail below and illustrated with examples from various industries.

Suction cups

A suction gripper or vacuum lifter does not stick to the workpiece. The ambient pressure (atmospheric pressure) presses the workpiece against the suction gripper as soon as the surrounding pressure is greater than the pressure between the suction gripper and the workpiece.

The pressure difference is achieved by connecting the suction pad to a vacuum generator. This sucks the air between the suction cup and the workpiece. As soon as the suction gripper touches the workpiece surface and seals it against the ambient pressure, a negative pressure is generated. The holding force is greater, the higher the pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure in the suction pad and the larger the area of the suction pad.

Ejector

Ejectors are a type of jet pump and generate a vacuum according to the Venturi principle . Compressed air is introduced into the ejector through A and flows through nozzle B. Immediately after the motive nozzle, a negative pressure is created, as a result of which the air is sucked in through the vacuum connection D. The extracted air and compressed air exit together via the silencer C.

In addition to the single-stage Venturi principle, there are ejectors in which the vacuum is generated by several Venturi nozzles connected in series. These so-called multi-stage ejectors have an enormously high pumping speed compared to single-stage ejectors.

Compact ejectors with an integrated IO-Link function set new technical standards. They enable standardized networking of the system components and preventive system monitoring.

Vacuum pump

fan

Principle of suction

Blowers work on the impulse principle . Air is transported through the rotating blades (A) into the housing, where it is accelerated and compressed. There is the transfer of kinetic energy from the impeller to the air. The air being carried along by the blades creates a vacuum on the suction side (B). The compressed air (exhaust air) exits through the outlet opening (C).

Blowers deliver a high pumping speed, but do not reach the vacuum level of ejectors and vacuum pumps.

Pumping speed

The pumping speed denotes the volume flow of vacuum generators and is given in l / min or m³ / h. These values relate to an ambient pressure of 1000 mbar and an ambient temperature of 20 ° C.

Vacuum switch

Vacuum switches are available in mechanical , pneumatic and electronic versions. In the mechanical and pneumatic version, the existing vacuum is sensed via a membrane and a mechanical switch or valve is activated. In the electronic version, the vacuum is measured by a piezoresistive sensor and an electrical switching signal is output. It is also possible to record an electrical analog signal that increases proportionally to the vacuum.

Processes can be monitored and controlled with the vacuum switches . With most vacuum switches, switching points can be set, with some additionally the hysteresis .

Industry solutions

In the automotive industry, vacuum components are mostly used as complete modular systems, especially vacuum generators with integrated system monitoring and special suction cups.
In CD / DVD production, vacuum components, especially suction pads with a minimized size, are used for all processing steps.
In wood processing there are system solutions even for porous materials. These are combined with filters to prevent contamination and area gripping systems
In plastics processing, the removal of hot plastic parts with little marks is guaranteed.
In the packaging industry, various vacuum grippers and suction grippers for different material properties enable the packaging of goods and the handling of packaged products with minimal cycle times.