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Schmalz is the leading supplier in vacuum automation supplying the entire range of vacuum components and robotic/gantry style vacuum gripping end effector tools. Vacuum Automation Components Innovative vacuum automation components from Schmalz offer reliable solutions for automation and handling tasks. The product range includes suction cups in (14) standard materials and specialty cup lines e.g. automotive cups or cups for the packaging industry. Schmalz also supplies vacuum generators, blowers, electric vacuum pumps, mounting elements, switches and system monitoring devices. Vacuum Gripping Systems Robotic & gantry style vacuum gripping systems from Schmalz provide significant productivity improvements. The range extends from pallet layer size grippers to complete vacuum spiders, delivered ready for connection, for use in all areas of automation. Located in Raleigh, NC, Schmalz Inc. has a National sales force and a network of Authorized Schmalz Distributors in all states
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High Speed Robotic Picker (VEE - Vacuum End Effector)
POSTED 06/09/2011
Schmalz introduced the new modular system for vacuum end effectors (VEE) at the Interpack 2011 trade show. This new product allows for fast and flexible gripper configurations for pick and place processes, for use in case packers, in carton and tray erecting machines, in top and side loading machines as well as in packaging machines with frequent format changes. Instead of going back to rigid end effectors made in individual production, system integrators and machine / robot manufacturers now have the option to set up or reconfigure flexible end effectors: A wide selection of combinations of vacuum feed and zones, connection elements and suction pad connections are available. All elements of the modular system (pictured above) are available for download as CAD models on the website of the manufacturer (www.schmalz.com) and are available in multiple formats to fit your specific CAD drawing software.
The VEE modular system from Schmalz permits minimum configurations with one suction pad or a size of 38x38 mm and a dead weight of only 60 g. The largest configurable vacuum end effector comes with 12 suction pads at variable distances and a maximum gripper size of 300x200 mm at a weight of 800 g. Users can select suction pads from the highly specialized offer of the manufacturer depending on their requirements: Flat suction pad SGPN for handling fragile foil and blister packaging, flat suction pad SPF for handling stable cardboard boxes, bellows suction pad SPB4 for handling filled bags or flow wrap packaging.
The VEE masters loads of up to 5 lbs and process accelerations up to 10 g (100 m/s²) regardless of the type of product it is handling, which means it meets all the requirements of the fast pick and place processes typical for the packaging industry. All VEE elements are made of polysulfone PSU according to FDA guidelines. They are resistant to alkaline and acidic cleaning agents and can be steam sterilized. This makes them suitable not only for the packaging industry but especially for use in the food processing industry.