Flexible suction cup for material handling reduces lead times and has a longer operating life

The B52P suction cup from PIAB is designed to lift products that have either uneven or flat surfaces, within for example the automotive, packaging, wood handling articles and white goods industries. It is claimed to have a very long life, due to the company-developed suction assembly, made up of two types of polyurethane plastic. The upper part - the suction housing of 60 Shore hardness provides strength and ensures ready adaptation to differences in height. The gripping membrane is thus very flexible - with only 30 Shore hardness - and can easily retain its hold on such materials as cardboard boxes, sheet metal or cans.

"An important refinement is that it now becomes possible to rearrange a production line very quickly, or even process different products without changing the production line at all," explains Niklas Svahn of PIAB. "And since there is no need to change suction cups as often as before, lead times and setting times - and thereby costs - are drastically reduced."

The soft polyurethane plastic, called Duraflex, that is used for the gripping membrane, is said to be much more wear-resistant than the other types of material usually used for making soft suction cups. This further improves the operating economics.

The B52P suction housing is able to accommodate height variations of up to 19 mm. Vertically, the suction cup can manage to lift up to 8 kg (90 kPa), and horizontally apply a pull of up to 6 kg (90 kPa). A built-in filter protects the vacuum system against unwelcome particles such as dirt and dust. Connection is via a 1/8" NPSF thread.

"Those customers who have been able to test the B52P in operational conditions have reported that it exceeds the promised performance," confirms fully satisfied Niklas Svahn, responsible for this marketing segment at PIAB.

About PIAB
PIAB has been working with vacuum technology ever since it was founded in 1951. The company tries to ensure that development of its products and systems is at the leading edge of technology. They are marketed all over the world, where they are principally used in automated material handling and in production processes.

For further information, please contact:

PIAB LTD
Vourneen Doyle
P.O. Box 43
GB-LOUGHBOROUGH
LEICESTERSHIRE LE12 8NY, England
Telephone: 01509 814 280
Fax: 01509 814 647
E-mail: piab.gb@btinternet.com
Web site: www.piab.co.uk