真空技术实现自动化
大多数工业领域和企业都可以通过关注内部流程和工作流程的改进来提升生产力和效率。因此，流程自动化是一项强有力的工具。它能够营造一个让员工专注于战略、创新和技术的工作环境，减少有害的工作任务，实现生产成本的平衡。我们的愿景是打造一个资源得到充分利用、没有人员受伤的自动化世界。
真空自动化
在哪些地方需要自动化流程？
制造产品必须经过多个加工阶段，如原材料处理、组装、分拣和包装。几十年来，Piab一直致力于开发支持所有这些工业流程步骤和功能的系统，并取得了显著成效。我们的解决方案广泛应用于食品与饮料、汽车、包装、电商、电子、化工、制药、电池生产等众多行业。
处理各类型物料
多孔（漏气）材料 允许空气通过它们，例如纸板、织物或泡沫。当使用真空系统搬运这些材料时，由于材料本身的多孔特性，空气会不断地渗入系统。这意味着真空泵必须具备持续保持所需真空度的能力，以便牢固地吸持物体。这就要求真空系统具备较高的流量。
非多孔（致密）材料，如金属、玻璃或塑料，不允许空气通过它们。在搬运非多孔材料时，真空系统能够形成密封，一旦达到所需的真空度，除非密封被破坏，否则不需要额外的气流。此类系统中真空泵的能力取决于系统达到特定真空度的速度。
集中式或分散式真空系统
A centralized vacuum system uses a single vacuum pump that serves multiple suction points. The pump is usually in a fixed location and connected to the suction cups through a network of tubes. The advantage of a centralized system is that a single vacuum pump is easier and more cost-effective to install, maintain, and operate than multiple pumps. The latter is however more flexible when certain safety measures are considered.
In a decentralized vacuum system, every suction point has its own dedicated vacuum pump. This means that each suction cup operates independently, which enables increased efficiency and reliability. If one suction cup cannot reach the target object, it does not affect the operation of the others. In addition, decentralized systems may offer greater flexibility, as they can be easily adjusted or expanded in numbers to meet changing operational needs.
Our COAX® technology
A COAX® cartridge contains an advanced solution for vacuum creation. The name was derived from the coaxial fitting of components around the nozzles. A system based on COAX® technology is extremely reliable and can provide three times more vacuum flow than conventional vacuum systems allowing increased cycle speed and reduced energy consumption. Piab invented COAX®, hence our vacuum pumps are predominately based on this technology.
Why automation by vacuum technology?
Improved productivity
Vacuum automation may significantly reduce manual labour, thus increase productivity. It also ensures consistent performance and quality.
Safe work environment
A vacuum-driven system contributes to a better work environment by reducing harmful work tasks. Such improved ergonomics enable increased safety for staff and handled products.
Flexibility
Vacuum automation systems are highly flexible and can be configured according to specific needs in many applications. This includes all our vacuum pumps, suction cups, and grippers.
Independence
Our range of vacuum-driven products can be used with either industrial robots and cobots or as parts in ergo tools, gantries, and other machinery within many industrial sectors and production processes.
Product safety
Our vacuum-driven tools can safely handle objects ranging from very small, delicate, and fragile items to large and heavy sheet materials completely mark-free, even in harsh or hazardous environments.
Energy saving
Vacuum systems powered by Piab's COAX® ejectors consume minimal energy and reduce operational costs, thus the environmental impact.
Tolerance to tight spaces
Piab components are well-engineered and compact, requiring minimal floor space. This makes them an ideal choice for environments with a very tight footprint.
High reliability
Due to their design and technology, vacuum systems are highly reliable with a long service life. They have few moving parts, which reduces the risk of breakdown and the need for maintenance.
How do I choose the right system?
Before selecting a vacuum-driven system, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your operational needs and objectives. Here are some key factors to consider and plan:
- Understand your application. Identify the specific requirements of your application. This includes the type of materials you'll be handling, their weight, size, shape, and porosity. Also, consider the speed and precision required.
- Determine system type. Decide whether you need a centralized or decentralized vacuum system. A centralized system uses one vacuum source for multiple suction cups, while a decentralized system has each suction cup with its own vacuum source.
- Choose the right vacuum pump. The choice of vacuum pump is crucial. You need to consider the pump's capacity, its ability to achieve the required vacuum level, and its evacuation time.
- Select appropriate suction cups or foam grippers. The suction cups should be suitable for the material you're handling. Consider factors such as the size, shape, and material of the suction cups.
- Safety requirements. Understand the safety requirements of your operation. This includes assessing the reliability of the system and determining any necessary safety features.
- Energy efficiency. Consider the energy efficiency of the system. Vacuum systems with energy-saving features can significantly reduce operating costs.
- Evaluate maintenance needs. Understand the maintenance requirements of the system. Some systems may require more frequent maintenance or have more expensive parts to replace.
- Cost considerations. Consider the total cost of ownership, including the initial purchase price, operating costs, and maintenance costs.
- Environmental impact. If sustainability is a concern for your operation, consider the environmental impact of the system, including its energy use and CO2 emissions.
Remember, the best vacuum system for your process will depend on your specific application and operational requirements. Planning and careful consideration of these factors will help ensure that you choose a system that delivers optimal performance and value.
Do not hesitate to contact our engineers for useful advice.
Products & solutions
Vacuum pumps and ejectors
A vacuum ejector from Piab is the driver of a successful vacuum system and may be used in both centralized and decentralized vacuum systems, i.e. one ejector to serve all suction cups, or one ejector per suction cup. Regardless of system preference, our ejector range can be adapted to any application and allows for safe and reliable product handling, many years to come.
Suction cups and soft grippers
Our suction cups and soft grippers offer superior handling of just any object: Round Suction Cups - for accuracy regardless of size, shape or material; Oval/Rectangular – for long, irregular objects; Modular – interchangeable concept with individually optimized parts for gripping, lifting and height compensation; Soft Grippers – gentle fingers to lift delicate objects like fruit; Foam Grippers – for precise picking of rough or unevenly placed objects.
Robot and cobot gripping solutions
Piab's extensive portfolio of gripping solutions for industrial or collaborative robots contains products with unparalleled qualities - like piCOBOT® a multipurpose vacuum ejector program for cobots, or Kenos® - leading brand for large area gripping systems. Tailored palletizing tools are included in this segment, as are custom-made industrial applications with the highest level of specialization.
Robot End Of Arm Tooling components
Robot End Of Arm Tooling - EOAT – is a core area within Piab Group. We offer a vast range of components for applications such as palletizing, ergonomic handling equipment and parts/sub-systems for industrial and collaborative robots. Our advanced gripping solutions are most often designed to be installed directly on the arm or tool changer of most robot/cobot brands.
Design your own vacuum system
OVM Pro 3D offers you to design, test, and refine your own vacuum system in a virtual environment before physical implementation. Log in and create a unique application with Piab’s extensive range of vacuum ejector pumps, suction cups, grippers, fittings and accessories.
Further reading
Piab friction cups stamp out almost 700,000 more parts
Visors protecting people against COVID-19 from Somtech are now handled with Piab components
Automatic handling of cheese slice pouches of different formats at high process speeds
The dream team: The Wyzo sidebot combined with Piab's extremely lightweight Mini Cobot gripper (MCG)
Need guidance? We are here to help.
Fill out the form for more information about vacuum technology and how this can enforce your process, or if you need general advice from our automation specialists.