Flexible suction cup for material handling reduces lead times and has a longer operating life

Citation

(2002), "Flexible suction cup for material handling reduces lead times and has a longer operating life", Assembly Automation, Vol. 22 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2002.03322aad.004

Flexible suction cup for material handling reduces lead times and has a longer operating life

Flexible suction cup for material handling reduces lead times and has a longer operating life

Keywords: Vacuum, Handling

The B52P suction cup from PIAB is designed to lift products that have either uneven or flat surfaces, within for example the automotive, packaging, wood handling articles and white goods industries. It is claimed to have a very long life, due to the company-developed suction assembly, made up of two types of polyurethane plastic The upper part – the suction housing of 60 Shore hardness provides strength and ensures ready adaptation to differences in height. The gripping membrane thus very flexible – with only 30 Shore hardness – and can easily retain its hold on such materials as cardboard boxes, sheet metal or cans (Plate 4).

Plate 4 The flexible lip of the B52P also enables it to lift products with uneven surfaces

"An important refinement is that it now becomes possible'to rearrange a production line very quickly, or even process different products without changing the production line at all," explains Niklas Svahn of PIAB "And since there is no need to change suction cups as often as before, lead times and setting times – and thereby costs – are drastically reduced." The soft polyurethane plastic, called Duraflex, that is used for the grlpping membrane, is said to be much more wear- resistant than the other types of material usually used for making soft suction cups This further improves the operating economics

The B52P suction housing is able to accommodate height variations of up to 19 min. Vertically, the suction cup can manage to lift up to 8 kg (90 kPa), and horizontally apply a pull of up to 6 kg (90 kPa). A built-in filter protects the vacuum system against unwelcome particles such as dirt and dust. Connection is via a 1/8" NPSF thread.

For further information, please contact: PIAB LTD, Vourneen Doyle, P.O. Box 43, GB-Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 8NY, England Telephone: 01509 814 280; Fax: 01509 814 647; E-mail: piab.gb@btinternet.com; Web site: www.piab.co.uk