Bag handling
Bag handling with vacuum handling systems
Piab delivers advanced bag handling components and solutions for diverse bag types, weights, sizes and environments. As no bags are the same, Piab has developed an extensive product range which enables reliable and energy efficient picking without damaging or dropping the bags.
Handle all bag types
The extensive range of suction cups developed for bag handling enables you to find a perfect fit for your bag.
Efficient sealing
A suction cup with thin lip can efficiently seal off the bag which requires less vacuum flow to grip, reducing energy consumption.
Food safe handling
Bag cups in food contact grade silicone make them suitable in food production lines.
Bag handling for specific applications
No bag is the same as the last one. From the material they are made of to what they contain, their characteristics add to the complexity of the bag handling challenge. We all use bags every day and for all sorts of reasons. Piab can provide products for bag handling used for products that weigh no more than a couple of grams with fragile wrapping to complete handling solutions for larger bags or sacks.
Bag handling of thin foil bags
Snack bags, like those for chips, often combine plastic and thin aluminum foil. This creates a stiffer, oxygen- and moisture-resistant surface, preserving freshness. The main handling challenge is adapting suction cups to semi-wrinkled surfaces, not the weight itself. Efficient gripping requires suction cup lips capable of conforming to irregular bag textures, ensuring safe and reliable automation in packaging processes for these lightweight, yet structurally complex, snack bags.
Frozen food bag handling systems
Frozen food bags are thicker and more durable than regular food bags, ideal for storing items like vegetables, meats, and prepared meals. Although similar in appearance to standard plastic bags, they require suction cups made from materials that withstand low temperatures and meet food contact material (FCM) standards. This ensures safe, efficient bag handling in automated processes, maintaining food quality and meeting strict safety requirements for frozen food packaging applications.
Stand-up bag and pouch handling solutions
Sturdy, thick stand-up bags and pouches are used for dry goods like dishwasher tablets and liquids such as juice or soap. Their popularity stems from reliable storage and display. Although made from non-porous materials, handling causes wrinkling and crevices, challenging vacuum sealing. Suction cups with thin, flexible lips adapt to these surfaces, providing a secure grip. This ensures safe, efficient vacuum bag handling for a wide range of everyday products.
Liquid filled bag handling automation
Liquid-filled pouch bags use thin yet durable plastics and are common for sauces, drinks, and industrial liquids, often inside “Bag in Box” packaging. Unlike stand-up pouches, their flexible structure adapts to shifting liquid contents. The main handling challenge is maintaining a reliable seal as the liquid moves and alters the bag’s shape. Suction cups for these applications must be highly flexible to ensure a secure grip, adapting seamlessly to constantly changing surfaces for safe automation.
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Bag handling for e-commerce and cellophane bags
E-commerce growth drives demand for automatic handling of thin, rigid plastic bags used for shipping clothes and fashion items. These branded bags require swift yet gentle processing to avoid damaging goods or packaging. Suction cups designed for low vacuum levels provide a secure grip without wrinkling clothes or tearing bags, making them ideal for fast or semi-fast robotic applications. Efficient, careful bag handling solutions support online retailers in delivering products safely and maintaining brand presentation.
Flimsy bag handling with vacuum technology
Bags made of very thin plastic film, often used for salad, herbs, or even clothing, are delicate and increasingly produced from biodegradable or recyclable materials. These fragile bags require especially gentle handling to prevent damage. Suction cups must deliver excellent sealing performance at low vacuum levels, ensuring a secure grip without harming the bag or its contents. Careful automation solutions are essential for safely managing these lightweight, flimsy, and sensitive packaging types in modern applications.
Oversized bag handling for logistics and shipping
Oversized intra logistics and shipping bags are often thin, sometimes appearing empty yet containing various items. Their large, wrinkled surfaces can cause vacuum leaks and make them prone to being sucked into suction cups, risking loss of grip. Effective bag handling requires suction cups with improved sealing lips, low vacuum levels, and the ability to separate thin films or foils. Bellows and stable necks further enhance grip, ensuring safe, efficient automation even when parts of the bag remain unfilled.
Flow pack bag handling with suction cups
Flow wrapping is widely used for organizing and sealing a variety of products, from snacks and pastries to cleaning wipes and pre-wrapped cutlery. This efficient packaging method uses thin plastic foil to create tightly sealed, shelf-life-extending packages at high capacity and low cost. The structured content inside helps maintain the bag’s shape, making it easier for suction cups to grip and handle these thin packages securely. Proper cup selection ensures reliable automation in fast-paced flow pack applications.
FAQ - Robotic bag handling
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