In general, the automation of production, assembly and material-flow processes is concerned with the transport and handling of workpieces, assemblies, units, containers or packages. However, an important requirement for the fast and safe handling of parts is that the parts be gripped precisely, securely and without damage and that this behaviour be reproducible. Vacuum grippers are the ideal solution for the flexible and universal handling of products and goods of all kinds. A further advantage of vacuum grippers is that individual solutions can be constructed for almost any application from the range of standard vacuum components offered by the vacuum specialists J. Schmalz GmbH in 72293 Glatten, and that these solutions can be constructed cheaply.

Using standard components, it is possible to construct and commission complete vacuum gripper systems with cross-beams, profile sections which can also act as vacuum reservoirs, central vacuum generation with pumps or ejectors, local vacuum generation directly on the suction pads, holders, spring plungers, connecting elements and hoses. The available range of suction pads includes flat pads, bellows pads and special pads for many applications. The Schmalz product range leaves nothing to be desired.

As desired, Schmalz supplies either complete vacuum-gripper systems or "only" the components and assemblies for building such systems. The use of standard components considerably reduces the costs for design, purchasing, stocking, assembly and spare parts. In all cases, the complete vacuum-gripper systems then only need to be attached to the crane, the handling system or the industrial robot and can be put to work. Regardless of whether they are used for loading and unloading machines, for inserting and joining parts to be assembled or for picking and palleting containers and packages, vacuum-gripper systems grip anything!

Because the dynamic motion of the crane, handling system or robot in all motion axes must be maintained, even when fully loaded, and the parts must be positioned precisely, the vacuum components are designed for small size, low weight and physical stability. Shorter cycle times during handling mean, for example, that workpieces can be changed more quickly and this, in turn, means that productivity can be increased by reducing the idle times to a minimum. It is thus clear that it is not sufficient to simply create a modular system of vacuum components and to extend it as desired: the components must be carefully matched to each other and must be compatible in performance and physical properties. Last but not least, a supply of spare parts must be guaranteed for many years.