History

A pair of compasses by which circles of large and small diameters can be drawn by means of interchangeable bars, and which gave the company it's name-"PI" (ratio of diameter to circumference) and "AB" (incorporated)...PIAB.

The first vacuum product, "the Pneucette", is used as a tin solder suction device and for handling of small items.

Piab Ejector 300 is used for conveying small of amounts of material and contaminants.

The first multistage ejector: APV 1000. This patented vacuum ejector introduces a new movement which lay the foundations of the vacuum products range.

The Piab Industrial Suction Unit is, among other things, used for the suctioning of metal chips, sludge and blast powder.

Piab Vacuum Pump L63 is introduced. This is the precursor of today's Classic pumps.

The Piab Vacuum Chip of small size and low weight for integration in machines.

Piab Suction Cups provide an easy, inexpensive and above all, reliable technique for moving different products and materials.

The Piab Vacuum Pump H for laboratory use with a vacuum level of 10 mbar.

Piab Vacuum Conveyors, VC series. For vacuum conveying of powder and granules.

Piab vacuum pump XED with multi-characteristics.

Piab Lab Vac - a vacuum pump especially designed for laboratory use.

Piab Graphic Air Pump - a vacuum pump especially designed for the graphic industry.

Classic becomes the name of a complete range of pumps designed for a wide variety of applications.

Piab Vactivator, a vacuum handling cylinder with automatic stroke control.

Piab Vacuum Conveyor C33 is accepted by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA applies very stringent standards regarding hygiene in equipment used for production of pharmaceutical, dairy and food products.

Piab DURAFLEX™ suction cups made of revolutionary polyurethane material.

Piab Vacuum Pump P3010 based upon the revolutionary new COAX™ technology developed by Piab.

COAX®, the next dimension in vacuum technology, is easily integrated into the body of manufacturing machinery with multistage cartridges. Designing the ultimate decentralized vacuum system is made possible by positioning vacuum power exactly where it is needed, making maximum use of energy and increasing speed by eliminating line losses and inefficiencies.

AVM™5050 - an advanced automatic electro-pneumatic vacuum management module suitable for applications where parts are moved through the use of suction cups.

Further development of vacuum conveyor systems will aim to satisfy the needs of companies within the foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals sectors for transport of powders and granulate. The new conveyors have diameters of 21 cm and 56 cm and supplement the previous 33 cm diameter design.

Piab VGS™3010 – A new product design where high quality DURAFLEX™ suction cups are integrated with a patented vacuum cartridge based on the latest COAX™ ejector technology.

Vacuum pump P2010 uses the COAX™ technology and is a small multi-stage ejector with a minimum of energy consumption. The pump weighs only about .50 ounces and reaches its peak efficiency at 26 psi feed pressure.

Piab’s range of DURAFLEX™ suction cups has been supplemented with a program of oval suction cups. The oval suction cups are suitable for handling of long and narrow objects and surfaces when maximum lifting force is desired.

The P3010 AVM is a compact and modular vacuum pump with integrated COAX™ technology and Automatic Vacuum Management functionality. It has been developed for handling parts in applications with the highest demand on performance, availability, energy saving, flexibility and reliability.

The Piab Adjustable Vacuum Palletizer (AVP) is a high-performance palletizing end-effector featuring Piab’s unique vacuum technology.

Piab Level Compensator LC30 — a new product design for flexible material handling with suction cups. Level compensation is used to adjust level differences in lifting devices fitted with several suction cups.

Piab introduces the IC series of vacuum conveyors for high performance, energy efficient automated material handling in a variety of manufacturing environments.

Based on the COAX® technology, Piab P6010 is a smaller, more efficient and more reliable way to generate vacuum. Additionally, integrated control options like the new PCC – Piab Cruise Control – or AVM™ – Automatic Vacuum Management – introduce cutting-edge solutions to the world of vacuum technology.

A sophisticated bag handling solution for the packaging industry that combines powerful COAX® vacuum pump with air-saving cruise control feature and durable suction cup.

The Vacustat-COAX® vacuum pump will save up to 99% in compressed air consumption when used in vacuum handling systems for sealed objects, such as metal sheets, glass and plastic parts.

The simple design and precise tolerances of the Vactivator, vacuum-handling cylinder, make it a low-energy option that is ideal for fast and accurate control in graphic and packaging applications.

In order to offer the industry a wider range of the existing and popular Vacuum Gripper System, Piab introduces two additional sizes – the VGS™2010 and VGS™5010. Of course, the new sizes are also based upon the COAX® technology and DURAFLEX® suction cups.

Engineered to be compact yet powerful, the C2100-64 vacuum conveyor quietly and hygienically conveys powder and bulk materials in spaces with very low ceilings or limited space. The C2100-64 features COAX® multistage ejector technology, consuming less air and energy than any other compressed-air-driven conveyor currently available.

Featuring patented COAX® technology, the P6040 vacuum pump can reduce energy costs by up to 25% or more compared to other methods of generating vacuum. With flexible mounting options, an extensive performance range and optional control functions, the P6040 is highly adaptable and well suited for most industrial vacuum applications.

Featuring patented COAX® cartridge technology and designed for automated product-handling applications, the P5010 pump gives the highest possible vacuum performance in relation to energy consumption, helping to reduce carbon footprint and improve conservation efforts.

The DURAFLEX® friction cups are tailor-made for handling parts with an oily metal surface. They have exceptional friction/shear force on oily surfaces, parts will not slip so easily. The machines can run at higher speeds, something which will lead to increased productivity.

The Unibody Conveyor UC is developed for the pharmaceutical industry, and therefore a full documentation package is available with a documented internal test protocol and a validation package (IQ Installation Quality, OQ Operation Quality protocol). The conveyor is also made of material that is traceable and has its specific ID number - all that is expected from the pharmaceutical industry. The Unibody features a tube-like shape and smooth surface to reduce the amount of residual material in the system. With a minimal amount of material left in the system, workers need to spend less time cleaning.

Piab’s Modular Automation Tooling, also known as PMAT is a vacuum tooling system which allows you to construct flexible and adjustable vacuum gripper tools or vacuum fixture tools to meet your needs with minimal design time. PMAT offers adjustability and also rigidity with the same products. PMAT can be used to design robot end-effector tools, ergonomic tools or fixture tools for use on all types of automation equipment.

VGS™3040 is decentralized concept which can be configured to have integrated unique Piab optimizing functions i.e. AQR2 (Atmospheric Quick relase), blow-off check valve and Energy Saving, or a combination of them. VGS™3040 have the same advantages as the other VGS™ units. In addition, the VGS™3040 is the world’s most efficient air saving concept for suction cup handling of sealed parts and it has the fastest automatic quick-release function on the market.

piINLINE® are small light-weight inline ejectors which use the patented COAX® technology inside. piINLINE® also has a pending patent since it is the only inline vacuum generators based on multistage ejector technology. They can be mounted directly on the hose close to suction cup (or point of suction). Piab’s piINLINE® ejector program will offer much better performance with at least 40-50% lower energy consumption compared to the competing inline single-stage ejectors in corresponding sizes. Inline vacuum generators are especially common in electronic/semiconductor pick-and-place applications, dedicated packaging equipment, injection-molding automation and unloading/loading metal forming machines (bending, punching and laser-cutting).

piGRIP® is a unique configurable suction cup concept with individually optimized parts for gripping, lifting and height compensation. It fits most machines and can be optimized for handling almost all materials. piGRIP®'s different lip types ensure the right hardness/softness and sealing capability for your material. Combined with the firm bellows, piGRIP® is stable enough to handle faster accelerations and more high speed lifts as compared to traditional cups. Materials that are in accordance with FDA are available for the food industry. 100% recyclable and separable material contribute to an environmental friendly and sustainable waste management program as opposed to cup materials like PVC.

Piab launches its piCOMPACT10 range, the first manifold-mounted and functional ejector system on the market based on the energy-efficient MICRO COAX® technology. Products in the piCOMPACT10 range are ideal for pick-and-place operations where efficient handling of small, heavy parts is crucial, common for electronics, semiconductor, plastics, metal and medical applications.

piCLASSIC is Piab’s upgraded vacuum pump series based on COAX® technology. Suitable for a wide range of applications with large capacities despite its small size and low weight, the piCLASSIC has been designed with greater efficiencies than previous pumps in this size class. With an initial high amount of flow, there is no need for expensive vacuum tanks and vacuum valves that are usually needed on machines performing at high rates of speed using rotary vane pumps. With its compressed air source for energy, the piCLASSIC is easy to turn off/on thus ideal for operations that only need vacuum intermittently, a great energy saver.

piFLOW® is a vacuum conveyor widely used in the general industry and sometimes in the chemical industry. It has a high throughput performance as well as a small foot print. This conveyor is often used as an alternative to mechanical conveyors when there is a requirement for dust free conveying or low maintenance. Another advantage is that the pump is based on COAX® technology which is the most energy efficient way to produce vacuum.

piLEAN™ – a concept for reducing waste. piLEAN™ is the best practice to determine application solutions for maximum performance and optimal efficiency. Hence the leanest design using the latest technology. Your piLEAN™ solution is the ideal combination of suction cups, vacuum pumps, and controls based on application specific parameters.

piSAVE optimize – an optimized energy saving product for air-driven vacuum pumps/ejectors in virtually any type of vacuum application. piSAVE optimize automatically adjusts the pumps supplied pressure based on the application. Only the amount of compressed air required will be used without sacrificing speed or performance.

piLEAN™ – a concept for reducing waste. piLEAN™ is the best practice to determine application solutions for maximum performance and optimal efficiency. Hence the leanest design using the latest technology. Your piLEAN™ solution is the ideal combination of suction cups, vacuum pumps, and controls based on application specific parameters.

piGRAB - the gentle grabber for bin picking solutions. piGRAB is a vacuum based gripping too and is the most cost efficient alternative to mechanical grippers. Since it is vacuum based the gripping/clamping force is softer than when using a pneumatic gripper. The big advantage is that you can grab sensitive items, e.g. glasses or eggs without risking breakage by the force of the grip.

The lightweight piCHIP unit is a small vacuum pump which is optimized for integration. It is flexible enough to surface mount quickly on a variety of materials. With its almost silent operation, the piCHIP is ideal for clean room operations. Medical and electronic industries are best suited to use this product in their vacuum applications.

piSECURE is a decentralized vacuum pump for sealed applications with high safety requirements in case of power or system failure. The safety function is based on a separate extra sealed vacuum non-return valve (check valve). piSECURE can advantageously also be used in robot handling applications of high value sealed objects, i.e. high cost for dropped part in case of power failure. Examples are shaped glass and metal sheets in body assembly and general assembly of cars.

The piPREMIUM vacuum pump line for vacuum conveyors is expanded. With the addition of the new larger sizes, it would allow for greater speeds to handle difficult to move powders and granules over a greater distance.The piPREMIUM pump together with the piFLOW®p vacuum conveyor is ideal for meeting the high demand from the Food and Pharma industries. 

piCOMPACT® is an ejector family with integrated controls, so called compact or ”all-in-one” ejector unit. It is a stackable platform with the possibility to mount several units in the same manifold and have common pneumatic and electrical connections. By working at low feed pressure and maximizing the utilization rate of the compressed air, the COAX® ejectors reduce energy consumption for manufacturers while increasing productivity and reliability.

Value Line® – Good performance at a value price. This product line is ideal for more basic applications, where machine speeds and surfaces to be gripped are less challenging, such as with case/carton erectors. Other examples are equipment for loading/unloading or sorting sheets into metal forming machines (laser cutting, water jet, punching etc.) and parts removal from injection molds.

piFLOW®t – This is a vacuum conveyor when a premium technology is needed especially to handle tablets or fragile products in the food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. It is designed with a Stainless Steel body (ASTM 316L) and meet the very high hygienic demands of FDA. Piab conveyors are ATEX Dust compliant.

The key to handling tablets gently is speed. In order to keep tablets intact throughout the entire conveying system it is vital to maintain a controlled low speed. The innovative piGENTLE® technology was designed to enable a low and constant speed of the tablet transfer, regardless of the amount of tablets in the pipeline. It is also independent of the size, shape, or weight of tablets or capsules.

Piab is proud to introduce the option to include generic input/output (IO) technology in the company's premium all-in-one vacuum ejector platform piCOMPACT®23. Offered as an optional added feature, IO-Link is a generic communication technology that can be used with any type of fieldbus, enabling users to easily link together different systems within a plant.

Piab has acquired Italian-based Kenos, a leading company in the market of large area vacuum grippers. Kenos designs and manufactures gripping systems used in various applications e.g. packaging, wood, food etc

piINLINE®plus and piSTAMP are small light-weight decentralized vacuum ejectors that use the patented COAX® technology inside. They are ultra-lightweight decentralized vacuum generators, some of them with integrated release mechanisms in minimized packages.They can all be mounted directly on a hose close to the suction cup (or point of suction).

Piab has acquired Sweden based Vaculex, a leading manufacturer of lifting equipment based on vacuum technology. With 30 years of experience Vaculex designs, manufactures and sells ergonomic lifting systems for various applications, e.g. baggage handling, packaging, distribution and logistics.

Ensuring a safer working environment in food and pharmaceutical processing plants, Wet-In-Place (WIP) functionality has been added to Piab's popular piFLOW®p vacuum conveyors.

Piab has acquired US-based SAS Automation, a leading developer and manufacturer of mechanical grippers and robotic end-of-arm tooling systems. By complementing Piab's existing product offering, the addition of SAS Automation takes Piab a step closer to becoming a leading one-stop gripper shop.

Piab has acquired FEBA Automation, headquartered in Germany, a developer and producer of robotic gripping solutions for customers in the manufacturing industry.

Piab is proud to introduce piCOBOT®, a cleverly equipped end-of-arm (EOAT) vacuum tool designed specifically for the cobot market. Featuring the company's signature vacuum technology, enabling improved efficiency, productivity and working environments, piCOBOT® offers industry certified plug-and-play extensions to the latest collaborative robots, so called cobots.

Smarter, more energy-efficient, quieter, ergonomic by design, and utilizing the same principles of physics as all vacuum lifters, Piab’s piLIFT® SMART represents a paradigm shift as the market’s first Industry 4.0 ready vacuum lifter.

Piab introduces the next generation piCOMPACT®23 with new SMART features included. piCOMPACT®23 SMART is an IO-Link-ready vacuum generator platform available from Piab. Offering operation with either standard 24V IO or IO-Link, the new SMART compact all-in-one ejector is ready to meet the future. Previously offered as an optional added feature, IO-Link is now included as a standard option. A generic input/output (IO) communication technology, IO-Link provides point-to-point links between sensors and actuators. It can be used with any type of fieldbus, enabling users to easily link together different systems within a plant.

piSOFTGRIP® is developed especially with food industry automation in mind. The vacuum-based soft gripper will grip sensitive and lightweight objects of odd geometries and/or an unusual surface. Bin-picking of small irregularly shaped objects, such as toys, is another potential application.

A world first, piFLOW®p SMART is a self-optimizing vacuum conveyor targeted primarily at industries handling many different materials and/or those in which frequent changes need to be made. This makes the conveyor ideally suited for producers within the food and pharma sectors, where its full changeover potential will have great impact, saving time and money. With each new conveying cycle, the piFLOW®p SMART will prove its name, using machine learning to automatically tune the process by configuring and optimizing a flawless flow of materials, set at the correct rate.