Vacuum-based handling system

For fast and reliable handling of a wide variety of packaged products, J. Schmalz GmbH offers a complete range of solutions based on vacuum technology for process chain optimization.

A growing variety of packaging types and materials has led to an increase in the demand for flexibility and efficiency of the machines. This also has implications for automation and handling technology, in particular, for the optimization of process chains. The J. Schmalz GmbH firm recognized this development early, così come la necessità di proporre soluzioni “su misura” per ogni tipo di prodotto e imballaggio. Così, products such as candy, dairy products, baked goods, meat, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics - each in their own specific packaging - will arrive to the consumer intact.

1. The suction cup SPOB1f is suitable for thinner products from the food industry and provides particularly dynamic handling.

The advantages of vacuum technology
Using vacuum technology for handling offers clear advantages: For instance, it is significantly more flexible than gripping with pneumatically powered clamps. In addition, vacuum handling is very quick, this being a fundamental requirement in today’s industrial processes (consider how Pick and place applications process well over 100 candy or granola bars per minute, for example).For bag packaging, Schmalz offers the new  tubular bag suction cup SPOB1f, among other products.
This solution is suitable for thinner products from the food industry and provides particularly dynamic handling.
Vacuum suction cups, such as the SPOB1f, pick up the workpiece from above.

Particular caution is necessary with sensitive workpieces (such as vials, cookies, chocolates, candies, film-wrapped crackers, etc…). The use of vacuum technology is also advisable in this case, as it is particularly gentle. The user sets the holding force required for the individual workpiece using the vacuum level. This makes is possible to handle products in a reliable yet gentle way.
Schmalz has developed a new suction cup made of metal detectable silicon, which is specially tailored to the needs of customers in the food industry. This solution helps prevent the contamination of food products.
Besides suction cups for handling food, vials, syringes, cardboard boxes and bags, the product range also includes vacuum generators like the basic ejector SBPL.  

2. The thin sealing lip conforms perfectly to any work piece contour and ensures reliable handling.

3. The Area Gripping System FXP handles cardboard boxes reliably, an intelligent vacuum and pressure switch provides greater transparency in packaging processes.

4. The layer gripping systems SPZ feature the ability to handle entire product layers automatically.

J. SCHMALZ GMBH is the worldwide leading provider of automation, handling and clamping systems, providing customers in numerous industries with innovative, efficient solutions based on vacuum technology. Schmalz covers the entire process chain: from primary and secondary packaging all the way through to palletizing tasks such as end-of-line palletizing.
The company is headquartered in Glatten (Black Forest region of Germany) and is active in 16 additional countries with their own subsidiaries. Schmalz employs a total of more than 1.000 persons worldwide. Customer orientation, innovation, quality and comprehensive consultancy are core values of the concern, whose products are used in a wide variety of production processes:  as grippers on robot arms in the production of car bodies, in CNC machining centers as clamping solutions for furniture pieces, or used by an operator to lift items ranging from boxes to solar modules, etc…