Schmalz

Suction Cup

Vacuum suction cups play a major role in a vacuum system. They form the interface to the workpiece, which is why they have to meet a number of requirements. The requirements result from the workpiece properties as well as the application. For example, resistance to high temperatures, oils or UV light may be required. Use in the food industry demands different properties. The application itself can also require, for example, the absorption of high lateral forces, a long service life or the compensation of height differences.

A suction cup is the elastomer part of a vacuum gripper. It can be screwed to the gripper in a vacuum system using a suitable connection element.

Suction Cup Materials

Due to the variety of requirements that a suction cup has to meet, a wide selection of materials is crucial. The properties of the materials ensure the required chemical, mechanical and temperature resistance of the vacuum suction cup. Our material experts in the elastomer team understand the challenges and are able to develop the right material for the most diverse requirements. Learn more about the materials used for suction cups here.

Suction cups come in a variety of shapes

Vacuum grippers are available in round and oval designs. Round suction cups are suitable for handling flat workpieces. Oval vacuum suction cups are used for narrow, elongated workpieces. A distinction is also made between flat suction cups and bellows suction cups.

Flat Suction Cup

Flat suction cups benefit from low overall height and low internal volume. The low volume ensures short blow-off times. In addition, the flat suction cup design has good intrinsic stability and ensures high positioning accuracy. Flat suction cups are primarily used in highly dynamic processes.

Bellows Suction Cup

Suction cups with one or more bellows have the advantage that they can compensate for height differences and that they are more flexible than flat vacuum suction cups. The bellows also provide a damping effect when the gripping system is placed on the workpiece. This allows sensitive workpieces to be gripped gently using a bellows suction cup. Bellows suction cups are usually used for film-packed workpieces as well as for car body parts or electronic components.

Suction Cup and Connection Element

A suction cup is connected to the vacuum system using a connection element. Together, vacuum suction cups and connection elements form a vacuum gripper. Depending on the requirements, the connection element is vulcanized, inserted, tightly clipped or screwed on. A suction cup can be delivered fully assembled or self-contained (vacuum suction cup and connection element). 

Related terms

Bellows Suction Cups
Bellows suction cups are suction cups with one or more folds.

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