FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the weight of the product that should be lifted and how many suction cups that can be used for the object. Calculate the weight to be lifted per suction cup and then take the weight multiplied with the gravity force (g=9.81) and you have the lifting force needed in pound force (lbf).

Our recommendation is to start at the application listing to find the products we recommend to different applications. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact our partners to find the optimum solution.

All Piab suction cups should be stored in a closed container protected from light at a temperature range of 10-25 °C [50-77°F] for best performance and long storage life.

All suction cups not in contact with an object (open) will draw in a lot of air and demand a larger pump than actually necessary. By using different valves, such as piSAVE sense, in the suction cups, the suction cups will be normally closed until they come in contact with the handled object. Only the cups needed in the specific lifting cycle will be open and flow air. Please see the video piSAVE sense

DURAFLEX® is a patented material specially developed to feature the elasticity of rubber and the wear resistance of polyurethane. The DURAFLEX® material is mark-free.

When the pumps are on,  the ejector pump actually uses more energy than the mechanical, however most vacuum applications are intermittent- suction and release- and the ejector pump can follow that cycle and be switched off and on easily along with the cycle which in total gives a much lower energy consumption compared to the mechanical pump that is on all the time.

Piab offers a warranty to distributors, integrators and users of Piab products worldwide as per the following definitions:

• A five-year warranty is valid for vacuum pumps excluding accessories and controls.
• A one-year warranty is valid for other products if the failure has occurred within specified lifetime in terms of duty cycles.

General warranty principles:

• Piab guarantees against defects in the manufacture and materials by normal use in proper environment, when following the instructions for care, maintenance and control described in the appropriate Piab manual.
• Piab replaces or repairs, free of charge, faulty products provided that these are returned to Piab, and found to be covered by the warranty.
• It is at Piab's discretion whether a faulty product should be sent back to Piab for replacement or if the repair shall be made locally at Piab's expense.
• This warranty does not include wear parts such as suction cups, filter elements, sealings, hoses, etc.
• This warranty does not include subsequent damages caused by defective products.

The multistage COAX® ejector is designed so the maximum vacuum level can be adjusted by the compressed air feed pressure. By using a piSAVE optimize, you can set the specific vacuum level needed and the piSAVE optimize will adjust the feed pressure to the pump accordingly. You will never use more compressed air than needed in the application. Please also try the piSAVE optimize calculator to see the actual energy saving by doing this.

The easiest way is to use the selection guide in the pump section.  MICRO, MINI and MIDI describe size and capacity where MICRO is smallest and MIDI the largest.  Each are available in a few different characteristics, one for extra high flow (Si), one for extra high vacuum level (Xi), one for handling low of fluctuating compressed air feed-pressure (Bi/Pi) and finally an extra dirt tolerant design (Ti).

Due to the design of the COAX® multistage ejector in the pump with no moving parts, there is virtually no maintenance.

First download the manual from the homepage and there you will find the part numbers of the different spare parts.  

A single stage ejector is designed for either high vacuum flow or high vacuum level. The multistage COAX® ejector has a combination of different nozzles providing both high flow and high vacuum level performance in the same ejector.  This design also gives lower energy consumption for equal performance

For the port sizes, go to the product and download the data sheet, that can be downloaded after registering. Specification on thread type is not provided on the webpage.

COAX® is an advanced solution for creating vacuum with compressed air. Based on Piab’s multistage technology, COAX® cartridges are smaller, more efficient and more reliable than conventional ejectors, which allow for the design of a flexible, modular and efficient vacuum system. A vacuum system based on COAX® technology can provide you with three times more vacuum flow than conventional systems, allowing you to increase speed with high reliability while reducing energy consumption.  COAX® cartridges exist in several sizes (MICRO, MINI & MIDI) and models (Bi, Pi, Si, Ti & Xi), making them suitable for every application. The technology ensures excellent performance at both low and high feed pressures. Pumps based on COAX® technology can operate within the feed pressure range of 25-87 psi.

The most common problem in a vacuum system is that you have restrictions between the vacuum source and the point of suction, e.g. long narrow hoses. By integrating the vacuum cartridges in your system, you are then able to place the vacuum source close to the point where you need the vacuum.  You have minimized the restrictions and will minimize the energy consumption in your system. You will also have a more compact solution.

In lifting applications with suction cups do not use more vacuum than needed. We normally recommend 18-inHg. Too high of a vacuum level gives lower efficiency and you would use more energy that actually needed. 

The most common problem in a vacuum system is that you have restrictions between the vacuum source and the point of suction, e.g. long narrow hoses. By using the combined pump and gripper, the vacuum is generated at the suction cup. You have minimized the restrictions and will minimize the energy consumption in your system.

The ejector technology has no moving parts thus with virtually no maintenance, it will provide higher reliability. It is also much smaller in size and weight that gives you the possibility to place it closer to the point of suction or where you actually need the vacuum.  The mechanical pump also has a much higher noise level and produces heat, meaning that normally you would need to have it in an insulated room. 

They definitely can. Please see our success stories. 

Yes. Piab has experience of conveying a large variety of tablets and capsules without damage.  Please contact us for detailed information.

No it can’t. Normal procedure is to dose before or after conveying.  

No we can’t. It’s extremely difficult to control the amount of liquid coming in the conveyor.

Yes, up to 25-30 feet without accessories/pipe emptying solution. With a pipe emptying solution, up to 80 feet.

For piFLOW®p we can supply this documentation. It is a template that shall be filled in during start up and with the help of the manual that comes with the shipment. 

No, the conveyors use only compressed air. Even our control systems are pneumatic. 

Piab offers a warranty to distributors, integrators and users of Piab products worldwide as per the following definitions:

• A five-year warranty is valid for complete vacuum conveyors excluding electro mechanical pumps and controls.
• A five-year warranty is valid for vacuum pumps excluding electro mechanical pumps, accessories and controls.
• A two-year warranty is valid for electro mechanical pumps.
• A one-year warranty is valid for other products.

General warranty principles:

• Piab guarantees against defects in the manufacture and materials by normal use in a proper environment, when following the instructions for care, maintenance and control described in the appropriate Piab manual.
• Piab replaces or repairs, free of charge, faulty products provided that these are returned to Piab and found to be covered by the warranty.
• It is at Piab’s discretion whether a faulty product should be sent back to Piab for replacement or if the repair shall be made locally at Piab’s expense.
• This warranty does not include wear parts such as filter elements, sealings, hoses, pipe fittings, pipe bends, pinch valves (in-line with conveyed material), reducers, etc.
• This warranty does not include subsequent damages caused by defective products.

In the manual for conveyors there is one section about troubleshooting. You are also welcome to contact the nearest Piab company.

0 – 160 feet if the conveying length does not include a vertical lift more than 16 feet and the product density is between 1.10-2.20 lb.

By having the right mix of air and conveyed product. This is achieved from where the Piab conveyor draws the material with the help of our feeding point accessories. Please also read our  white paper on segregation and contact any Piab company for further information.

No they are not, only for under pressure.

Not if instructions in the manual are followed. All Piab conveyors have a grounding point.  All our conveyors can be sent with ATEX dust approval. 

Tool-less assembly/de-assembly. For more detailed information, please look in the manual or on our YouTube channel. http://www.youtube.com/user/PIABConveyor

From about 550 lbs/hour to about 22,000 lbs/hour.

Please use the application configurator. You are also welcome to contact Piab or a Piab partner for details.

With regular maintenance, the unit will do the job for years to come.

If the compressed air is dirty/has fluid in it, the filter can be clogged as well as the ejectors and the timers.Water in the air line is not optimal.

Consult the manual for troubleshooting if you would encounter anything unusual.

Conveyor, filter regulator (1” connection)

Manual

Troubleshooting guide

Drawings

piFLOW®p is made of stainless steel  316L.

piFLOW® i and f  are made of stainless steel 304.

To a large number or Piab conveyors we can offer FDA, ATEX Dust and Gas, 2.2 certificates.

Stainless steel, aluminum, or PE, aspirated and non-aspirated feed wands

Feed adapter with or without flange connection

Feed station/hopper

Flexible Hose

Remote start/stop valve

Level sensor

Containers

Transition from the unit to downstream equipment

Pleated rod. Filtration grade 0,5µm. a hard rod filter in PE and PUR material with a PTFE membrane.  Comes in black and white version.

Pleated, Filtration grade 0,5µm. A hard polyester and PUR filter with a PTFE membrane. Gray color.

Textile. Filtration grade 5,0µm filterbag in polyester and a ePTFE membrane.  Light gray color.

Compressed air with normal industry pressure of 58-87 psi.

It depends on the physical properties of the granules. Piab has experience of conveying a large variety of granules, tablets and capsules without damage.  Please contact us for detailed information.

Yes, they are.

Depending on the filter type there are different recommendations. Please read the cleaning instructions in the corresponding manual for the vacuum conveyor.

Yes it can, a level sensor including the electric/pneumatic valve will be integrated for it. 110VAC or 24VDC are available.

The unit has a pneumatic control which controls the suction and discharge time as well for fluidization.

It can also be without control, in that case the end user will need to provide the sequence of operation – PLC control.

Electric/pneumatic valve unit can be provided ( to convert the electrical signal to a pneumatic output to signal the Piab)

Yes, it is all metric tubing and hardware.

220-22,000 lbs/hr, depending on the distance and the size of the conveyor/pump/filter and product to be conveyed.

piPREMIUM64 pump. 5.30-7.42 scfm

piPREMIUM100 pump. 10.6-14.8 scfm

piPREMIUM200 pump. 21.1-29.7 scfm

piPREMIUM400 pump. 42.2-59.1 scfm

piPREMIUM600 pump. 63.3-88.7 scfm

piPREMIUM800 pump. 84.4-118.2 scfm

piPREMIUM1200 pump, 127.1-178 scfm

piPREMIUM1600 pump, 169.5-237.3 scfm

The air driven Piab vacuum pump maximizes energy efficiency by using COAX® technology

Does not produce any heat

Low maintenance because of few parts

Efficient filtration (5 – 0.5 micron)

Maximize productivity with quick-start operation

Low noise level (72-76 dBA)

Optimize available mounting space

Increase conveying capacity with a large volume capability

We can deliver units in 4-6 weeks after receipt of order.

• Conveyor
• Manual
• Troubleshooting guide
• Drawings

• Textile filter has a minimum particle size of 5 micron
• Pleated and pleated rod filters have a particle size of 0.5micron

< Ra 0.8µm

• The body is made of stainless steel 316L, polished inside and outside.
• The vacuum pump is made of aluminum, stainless steel and plastic.

• The bag filter is made of ePTFE, polyester needle felt
• The pleated filter is made of PTFE, reinforced polyester and PUR – polyurethane
• The pleated rod filter made of PTFE, PE – sintered polyethylene 

• Stainless steel, aluminum, or PE, aspirated and non-aspirated feed wands
• Feed adapter with or without  flange connection
• Feed station
• Flexible vacuum hose
• Remote start/stop valve
• Level sensor
• Containers
• Transition pieces from the vacuum conveyor to recieving equipment

We have different ones for different needs:

• Pleated rod. Filtration grade 0,5µm. A hard rod filter in PE and PUR material with a PTFE membrane. Comes in black and white version.
• Pleated. Filtration grade 0,5µm. A hard polyester and PUR filter with a PTFE membrane. Gray color.
• Textile. Filtration grade 5,0µm.  Filter bag in polyester and a ePTFE membrane. Light gray color.

They can convey products between fine powder to plastic granules and  from free flowing material to non-free flowing dry material.

Yes, they are.

Depending on the filter type there are different recommendations. Please read the cleaning instructions in the corresponding manual for the vacuum conveyor.

Yes it can, a level sensor including the electric/pneumatic valve will be integrated for it. 110VAC or 24VDC are available.

The unit has a pneumatic control which controls the suction and discharge time as well for fluidization.

It can also be without control, in that case the end user will need to provide the sequence of operation – PLC control.

Electric/pneumatic valve unit can be provided ( to convert the electrical signal to a pneumatic output to signal the Piab)

Yes, it is all metric tubing and hardware.

220-8,800 lbs/h, depending on the distance and the size of the conveyor/pump/filter and product to be conveyed.

• piBASIC100 pump, 10.6-14.8 scfm 
• piBASIC200 pump, 21.1-29.7 scfm
• piBASIC400 pump, 42.2-59.1 scfm 
• piBASIC600 pump, 63.3-88.7 scfm

The air driven Piab vacuum pump maximizes energy efficiency by using COAX® technology

Does not produce any heat

Low maintenance because of few parts

Efficient filtration (5 – 0.5 micron)

Maximize productivity with quick-start operation

Low noise level (72-76 dBA)

Optimize available mounting space

Increase conveying capacity with a large volume capability

We can deliver units in 4-6 weeks after receipt of order.

• Conveyor
• Manual
• Troubleshooting guide
• Drawings

• Textile filter has a minimum particle size of 5 micron
• Pleated and pleated rod filters have a particle size of 0.5micron

Ra 0.6 µm or better.

• The body is made of stainless steel 304L, pickled inside and outside
• Vacuum pump is made of aluminum , stainless steel and plastic

• The bag filter is made of ePTFE, polyester needle felt
• The pleated filter is made of PTFE, reinforced polyester and PUR – polyurethane
• The pleated rod filter made of PTFE, PE – sintered polyethylene 

• Stainless steel, aluminum, or PE, aspirated and non-aspirated feed wands
• Feed adapter with or without  flange connection
• Feed station
• Flexible vacuum hose
• Remote start/stop valve
• Level sensor
• Containers
• Transition pieces from the vacuum conveyor to recieving equipment

We have different ones for different needs:

• Pleated rod. Filtration grade 0,5µm. A hard rod filter in PE and PUR material with a PTFE membrane. Comes in black and white version.
• Pleated. Filtration grade 0,5µm. A hard polyester and PUR filter with a PTFE membrane. Gray color.
• Textile. Filtration grade 5,0µm.  Filter bag in polyester and a ePTFE membrane. Light gray color.

They can convey products between fine powder to plastic granules and  from free flowing material to non-free flowing dry material.

Yes, you can sign up for free samples here.

Yes, suction cups are. ≥30 pcs 15%, ≥100 pcs 30%.

Yes, you can find prices and discount levels at the Value Line product pages (requires login).

1 day (off the shelf delivery).

Yes.

Yes.

No.

No.

Yes, 12 different brass fittings G and NPT threads, male.

No.

Yes.

Lip rising (flat cups) and stickiness (bellow cups) are clear signs of a worn out cup.

Flat concave, 2-bellows and 5-bellows.

ø20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75mm.

300,000 or more cycles, depending on surface, size and speed.

No.

Yes, the Value Line® ejectors come in three designs: "Inline", "T-design" and the "VL206 1/8" which is an aluminum body with 2 cartridges. The T-design is ideal when exhaust needs to be piped away, and the VL206 1/8" is ideal when a higher flow is needed.

Yes, as no flap-valve is used both versions work well in dusty environments.

Yes, the T-design is suitable for clean-room environments.

They do not reach as deep vacuum levels as Piab multi stage ejectors and initial flow is lower.

Better than conventional single-stage ejectors, up to 25-30% more efficient.

Ejectors reach vacuum level of 70 -kPa  / 21,0-inHg.