Minimal vacuum pump halves energy costs

Citation

(2004), "Minimal vacuum pump halves energy costs", Assembly Automation, Vol. 24 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2004.03324bad.002

Minimal vacuum pump halves energy costs

Minimal vacuum pump halves energy costs

Keywords: Vacuum pumps

A newly-developed multi-stage ejector, probably the smallest in the world, is said to give a 50 percent energy cost saving (Plate 2). The pump, known as the P2010, weighs about 15 g and reaches its peak efficiency at only 1.8 bar feed pressure. The pump can be suspended freely from its own couplings or mounted directly on a robot arm. According to its manufacturer, vacuum technology company PIAB AB, the new multi-stage ejector is intended for sectors that need reliable handling of low weight components, such as electronics production, the pharmaceutical industry and auto manufacturing.

Plate 2 What is probably the world's smallest multistage ejector weighs about 15 g and saves up to 50 percent of energy costs. The pump is designated P2010

The multi-stage ejector is said to generate useable vacuum down to a feed pressure of 0.5 bar. Full lifting power is developed at 1.8 bar. Most other pumps on the market need 4-6 bar to achieve the same power. The ejector pump is claimed to be the smallest in the world, weighing 15 g. It is 10 mm wide, 27.5 mm high and 50 mm long.

It is common for a component in a vacuum lifting yoke to perform less than satisfactorily. Since the P2010 is small and does not need a rigid mounting, it can be easily installed to boost performance in existing vacuum lifting yokes, according to the company.

The lower feed pressure means that the P2010 can reduce compressed air costs by 50 percent. At the same time, it is said to give 100 percent higher flow compared with traditional single-stage ejectors on the market. Unlike electric vacuum pumps, ejector pumps do not give off heat, so no cooling is needed. Although the P2010 also works with a feed pressure of 6-7 bar, these are not necessary for optimum performance.

On the ejector pump there are outlets for three vacuum ports. These are connected with 4 × 2:7 mm tubing or with M5 threaded connections. It is also possible to attach a vacuum monitor or a suction cup directly to the pump and mount it on a robot arm.

Because the pump is so light, there is no need to re-design the robot arm. The sound level from the pump is stated as 61-64 dB, lower than an ordinary desktop PC. This means that table- top robots for picking small parts can operate without the personnel being troubled by noise from the vacuum pump.

The P2010 is a self-contained multi-stage ejector pump and can be supported freely by its own connection lines or mounted using the pre-drilled holes.

The outgoing compressed air can be carried away though tubing connected to the aluminium sleeve on the vacuum cassette. The vacuum cassette in the ejector is also available as a spare part and can be replaced if necessary. According to the company, this can be done in a few seconds.

For further information, contact: PIAB Ltd, Michael Leitch, PO 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