Air Gripper
What Is Thin Air Gripper?
A Thin Air Gripper, also known as a vacuum gripper, is a type of industrial tool used for handling and moving objects without direct physical contact. It operates based on the principle of vacuum pressure, which is created by removing air from a cavity that is in contact with the object to be lifted. This removal of air generates a force that is strong enough to adhere to and lift the object. Thin Air Grippers are often used in manufacturing, packaging, and material handling industries where precision, speed, and reliability are critical.
Advantages of Thin Air Gripper
Robustness and reliability
One of the biggest advantages of thin-profile air grippers is that they are designed to be highly reliable and robust. Thin-profile air grippers use powerful negative pressure to grip objects of various shapes and sizes, which makes them highly versatile. They are also made with materials that have enhanced wear resistance and have a lifespan of up to 10 million times. Moreover, these grippers can withstand sudden load changes without any damage.
Precision and control
Thin-profile air grippers are known for their high level of precision and control. This is due to the specially designed picker fingers and actuator system that allows for precise control and higher gripping forces. Thin-profile air grippers can grip objects of different shapes and sizes, from tiny screws to large rectangular pieces. This ensures greater precision and minimizes defects during part loading and unloading.
Cost-effectiveness
Another advantage of thin-profile air grippers is that they are more cost-effective than traditional mechanical systems. Thin-profile air grippers are more efficient than grippers with mechanical transmission and require less energy to operate. Moreover, they require little maintenance, which reduces the total cost of ownership. Additionally, the shipping cost of a low-profile air gripper is much lower than that of a mechanical system, thus making it a more viable option.
Safety
Safety is an important factor in the automation industry, and low-profile air grippers offer excellent safety features. Low-profile air grippers are designed with sensors that detect problems before any potential issues occur in the circuit, minimizing the risk of accidents. Additionally, the negative pressure of the gripper ensures that the object is firmly and safely gripped.
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Professional team
Our professional team collaborates and communicates effectively with each other, and is dedicated to delivering high quality results. We are capable of handling complex challenges and projects that require our specialized expertise and experience.
Complete process system
With the production of high-end technology rolling functional components as the main field, the company extracts advanced foreign technical concepts, introduces a number of advanced domestic and foreign special equipment.
Best solutions
After the transaction is completed, provide installation, training, maintenance and other after-sales services to solve any problems customers.
Targeted services
Targeted services different customers have different needs, and it is necessary to study the personality of customers to develop targeted service plans.
Types of Thin Air Gripper
Flat vacuum gripper
Flat vacuum grippers have a small internal volume, which allows the air to be evacuated quickly and the vacuum to be built up quickly. This reduces cycle times in highly dynamic processes. This type of suction cup is usually used for handling flat or slightly curved workpieces. Due to their relatively high intrinsic stability, flat vacuum grippers can absorb higher lateral forces than bellows suction cups.
Vacuum gripper with bellows
Bellows suction cups are characterized by the eponymous bellows. Depending on the application, bellows suction cups have 1.5 to 4.5 folds. The bellows contract when the air is evacuated, creating a lifting effect. The advantage of a vacuum gripper with bellows is that the bellows gently lift the workpiece to prevent damage to fragile items. In addition, the flexible bellows adapt to the properties of the workpiece and compensate for height differences, which means workpieces with uneven surfaces can also be lifted using a suction cup.
Vacuum grippers for the automotive/sheet metal industry
In the area of sheet metal handling, it is particularly important to absorb high lateral forces. This is why Schmalz developed suction cups for handling sheet metal with innovative shapes and interior structures. Workpieces with few flat surfaces or no flat surfaces, or oily and very sensitive sheets can be handled safely and quickly.
Vacuum grippers for handling glass
When handling glass workpieces, such as windows, suction cups that leave few marks are required. Thanks to their high vertical and horizontal holding forces, in combination with their low level of marking, Schmalz vacuum suction cups ensure a high level of process reliability in glass handling.
Vacuum grippers for the packaging industry
The packaging industry often handles unstable or non-rigid packaging. Special vacuum grippers for the packaging industry were developed for these applications. The Schmalz product range therefore also includes solutions for handling both rigid and non-rigid packaging. It is also important to overcome similar challenges when handling foils and paper. To prevent a through-suction effect during handling, Schmalz has developed the lifting suction cup. This solution ensures reliable separation of paper or film layers by lifting the entire connected suction cup using a piston as soon as the contact with the workpiece is established.
Vacuum grippers for handling CDs/DVDs
When handling CDs and DVDs, it is also important to grip them gently and without leaving any marks. Special round or half-round grippers for handling CDs/DVDs in high-speed, fully automatic systems can ensure high process reliability in these applications.
Vacuum grippers for high-temperature applications
Applications such as hot forming in the metal industry or tempering processes require the grippers to be extremely heat-resistant. Schmalz also provides vacuum grippers for this industry. The grippers are characterized by heat resistance of up to 600°C and surfaces that leave few marks.
Material of Thin Air Gripper
Steel
Steel, an alloy primarily composed of carbon and iron, is the most popular material selection for linear bearings. Steel linear bearings are known to have excellent mechanical properties (i.e., high strength and rigidity); this can support heavy loads and provide smooth and precise motion. Carbon steel and stainless steel are common types of steel used in constructing steel linear bearings. Increasing the carbon content increases the hardness of steel; this affects the performance of the linear bearing.
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Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight but high-strength metal. It is corrosion and chemical resistant. It is softer and less expensive than steel. However, aluminum linear bearings have lower load capacity than steel linear bearings. Aluminum linear bearings are also capable of providing smooth and precise motion.
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Plastics
Plastic linear bearings are softer, cheaper, and have a lower coefficient of friction than metallic bearings. Typical plastics used in linear bearings are nylon, polyethylene, and PVDF, and they are usually lined with a self-lubricating coating (e.g., PTFE). They are sometimes reinforced with fibers and fillers to enhance their weight-bearing capabilities. Plastic linear bearings can be used with softer shaft materials. However, they generally have lower load capacities and are limited to room temperatures.
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Bronze
Bronze is an alloy mainly composed of copper and zinc, with other additives such as manganese and phosphorus. It is a soft metal. Bronze linear bearings have a higher load capacity than plastic linear bearings. Because of the presence of metal-to-metal contact, however, they generate greater friction than plastic bearings; this necessitates maintenance of sufficient lubrication.
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Ceramics
Ceramic linear bearings are typically fabricated from silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, and silicon carbide. They have high rigidity, which maintains travel accuracy and precision at high speeds. They have a high hardness, which increases their service life and abrasion resistance and reduces the generated particles from sliding of bearing components. They are also compatible with vacuum and ESD-sensitive devices and equipment.
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How to Maintain Thin Air Gripper
Understand the needs of your thin air gripper
Each type of thin air gripper has its own maintenance instructions. Knowing these instructions will help you keep your thin air gripper working properly for a long time.
Check for leaks
Hydraulic thin air grippers are strong but can leak oil. Be sure to check the oil level regularly and look for leaks. This prevents your thin air gripperfrom malfunctioning.
Update and check
Electric thin air grippers need to have their software updated and their electrical components checked. This maintains their precision and reliability.
Pay attention to the air
For pneumatic thin air grippers, air is the most important thing. Make sure there are no leaks and that the air filter is clean. This prevents clogging and keeps the thin air gripper moving smoothly.
Keep it clean
Adhesive thin air grippers need to have their surfaces cleaned frequently. This helps them grip objects better.
A must
Regular inspections are key, regardless of your thin air gripper type. Follow the manufacturer's maintenance recommendations to avoid surprises. That way, your thin air gripper will be ready to work at any time.
Why this is important
Good maintenance means your thin air gripper works well and lasts longer. It prevents downtime that can slow down your work. Taking care of your thin air gripper saves time and money in the long run.
Assess the application requirements - Evaluate the object size, material, shape, and other requirements such as operating environment and precision needs.
Analyze the object's surface - Consider the surface material and texture to determine the appropriate type of suction cup or pad required.
Select the vacuum source - Decide between a vacuum pump or a venturi system based on the necessary vacuum level and flow rate.
Determine the suction cup or pad specifications - Choose the appropriate size, shape, and material of the suction cup or pad to match the object's surface and requirements.
Evaluate the control system and durability - Consider the control system requirements and ensure that the gripper is made of durable materials that can withstand the operating environment.
What you handle - Decide if it's one kind of thing or many. This affects how well it can adapt.
Specific job - Think about what you'll touch. Food, electronics, or dangerous stuff? Grippers are made for different needs.
How much it holds - Figure out how heavy the gripper needs to lift. Make sure it can pick stuff up right.
Space - Check if it fits in small places. Some are for tight spots.
Feedback - Decide if you need info from the gripper. Some grippers have sensors for grip strength, position, or finding objects. This is important for quality control.
How the Thin Air Gripper Works
A vacuum gripper operates by utilizing the principles of fluid dynamics and suction. It works by creating a low-pressure environment within the gripper, relative to the atmospheric pressure surrounding the object to be grasped. This pressure difference creates a vacuum, which is then utilized to securely grip the object. The vacuum is generated by the use of a vacuum pump, or in some cases, a venturi effect, which draws air out of the area between the gripper and the object, thus creating a secure seal. The vacuum level can be precisely controlled, enabling the gripper to grasp objects of varying shapes and sizes with a consistent and reliable grip. The vacuum level is maintained by controlling the flow of air into the gripper through the use of one-way valves, which prevent the loss of vacuum and ensure the continued grip of the object.
Finger Design and Gripping Method of Thin Air Gripper
Friction
This is the most common gripping method, with contact surfaces that close and stop on the part, creating a frictional force to hold the work piece. If air pressure is lost, the part will drop. Friction fingers should be avoided if possible when handling oily or greasy parts. Higher grip forces are generally required (i.e., a larger gripper) when using this method, and special attention should be given to the gripping surface of the fingers. Carbide grips can be added to the face of the finger to improve overall gripping ability, though this may damage fragile surfaces. For fragile parts, urethane pads can be placed on the finger, which will increase gripping friction without damaging the part.
Cradled
The fingers have a prole of the part, i.e., round to round. The finger closes and stops on the part with the force and shape of the finger generating the grip force. If the air pressure is lost it is possible fingers may 'cam open' due to gravity, and the part might drop.
Encapsulated
Generally considered the most secure means of gripping. The fingers have a prole of the part, i.e. rectangle to rectangle. In this method, the fingers close and stop on or even just near the part and rely on the encapsulation to keep the part in position. This is normally considered the safest design since if pressure is lost, the part will not drop unless acted on by an external force.
Our Factory
Zhejiang CNCD Transmission Equipment Co., Ltd. is the first national brand enterprise dedicated to providing coordinate manipulator solutions in the field of industrial robots and industrial automation. The company has always been in a leading position in the development of coordinate manipulators. It is the only national brand that uses advanced FA technology to continuously assist the evolution of society and industry. R&D and manufacturing experts. The company's products include multi-axis manipulators, linear motors, precision positioning slides, qianxing slides, heavy modules, ground rails and other high-precision transmission components. The company is a high-tech enterprise integrating design, R&D, manufacturing and sales. We will continue to innovate and focus more on the development of geometric transmission technology and products to provide you with more professional, precise and reliable products and technologies, and contribute to the core components of automation.
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FAQ
We are one of the most professional air gripper manufacturers and suppliers in China, featured by quality products and good price. Please feel free to buy air gripper in stock here from our factory. We also accept customized orders.
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