Suction cups from Schmalz can be grouped into universal suction cups and suction cups for special applications. Universal suction cups cover a wide range of requirements. Suction cups for special applications were developed to meet requirements of individual industries. They are characterized by specific characteristics, for example, for the handling of thin-walled and oily car body parts in the sheet metal industry or for porous and structured workpieces in the timber industry.
Special grippers are used for applications in which regular suction cups cannot be used. Special grippers are used, for example, to handle wafers, films, display glass, fragile workpieces or webbed composite textiles. They act as the connecting element between the workpiece and the handling system, in the same way as the suction cups.
Area gripping systems are suitable for use in a wide range of applications. They grip a variety of different surfaces and geometries, porous or airtight workpieces and workpieces in undefined positions. End effectors are designed from elements of the modular system. An online configurator provides assistance with the layout. That allows the end effectors to be adapted to different packaging processes quickly and efficiently.
Grippers can be individually integrated into the gripping system using Schmalz mounting elements. The sections, beams, and connections form the basis of the vacuum gripping system. Spring plungers are used to compensate height tolerances of workpieces. They also cushion the impact of the suction cup and enable the handling of fragile workpieces. Jointed mountings that can swivel in all directions provide a better fit of the suction cup to the workpiece.
Schmalz offers a wide range of vacuum generators. Depending on the particular workpiece and application different pneumatic or electrical vacuum generators may be suitable. For example, pneumatic ejectors may be used in industrial robot applications, or vacuum pumps for central vacuum generation in gantry systems.
Schmalz valve technology significantly increases process safety. For example, non-return valves prevent workpieces from dropping off the gripping system in the event of leakage. Solenoid valves can be used to control the compressed air or vacuum. Available in a range of nominal sizes, they can be specifically tailored to the customer’s application.
Components for system monitoring are used in all areas of automated handling, for example, in feeder systems in the automotive industry, in the plastics industry, and in other applications to increase process safety.
Filters are used to protect the vacuum generator or the valve in dusty environments. The filters are installed in the system between the suction cup and the vacuum generator or the valve. Our product range includes all the hoses and connections required to design a functioning vacuum system.
The wide range of individual vacuum components offers all elements for setting up vacuum systems for automation, from suction cups and vacuum generators to system monitoring.
In addition to software for the extensive use of digital services for intelligent components, Schmalz also offers USB IO-Link masters for parameterization and analysis of the intelligent devices.