Vacuum Technology for the Metal and Sheet Metal Industry

Requirements for Vacuum Technology

Vacuum Technology for Automation

Vacuum technology for the sheet metal and metalworking industry

• Vacuum components make automated processes more economical. They increase process speed and system availability while reducing energy consumption
• Suction pads specially developed for sheet metal handling with high holding forces and above-average lateral force absorption support fast handling of sheet metal and body components
• Special materials specialized for sheet metal and metal handling with outstanding ozone and oil resistance prevent aging and extend the service life of the suction pad
• The optimized design of the suction pad makes it possible to handle workpieces with oiled surfaces. The bell shape flexibly adapts to complex contours. The suction pad can be assembled or procured in individual parts. This helps to reduce the life cycle costs of a production plant

Areas of application and environments

• Handling of narrow and elongated molded parts, especially thin-walled car body sheets, tubes or profiles
• Loading and unloading of CNC metalworking and laser cutting machines
• Handling of blanks at destackers
• Magnetic grippers with high holding forces for handling e.g. perforated sheets, complex laser-cut parts, sheets with holes and cutouts
• Handling of ferromagnetic workpieces
• For high-temperature applications (e.g. hot forming processes)

Automation and digitalization of processes

• Electronic vacuum and pressure switch with IO-Link interface for measuring and monitoring negative and positive pressure in automation and handling systems evaluates process data precisely
• Leakage monitoring through visual or digital output enables predictive maintenance
• Intelligent vacuum gripping systems work autonomously in conjunction with optical detection systems and cobots and take over sorting processes in intralogistics, for example

Vacuum Clamping Technology

Flexibilization of CNC machining centers

• With the vacuum clamping system, any CNC machining center can be retrofitted on a modular basis, regardless of manufacturer and type. The modernization enables fast and flexible retooling for frequent product changes - for efficient production processes from batch size one. Schmalz thus offers an economical alternative to investing in a new machine.

Process-safe clamping due to maximum holding forces

• Gentle, since no additional force is exerted on the workpiece by the friction islands
• Automatic activation and deactivation by vacuum supply
• Oil and ozone resistant, individually replaceable in case of wear. All processed materials are specially optimized for use under cooling lubricants

Manufacture of workpiece apertures especially in five-axis machining

• Quick changeover for frequent workpiece changes, thus reducing set-up time and increasing holding force
• Suction blocks can be positioned without hoses and obstacles
• Pre-fixation of the suction blocks by means of magnetic force
• Wear-resistant sealing lips and robust aluminum construction also suitable for adverse conditions
• Special friction plates for optimum transverse force absorption on smooth surfaces

Vacuum Lifters and Crane Systems

Efficient machine loading with manual vacuum handling equipment 

• Loading and unloading CNC laser cutting machines, punching and bending machines with handling systems from Schmalz reduces downtimes and protects sensitive workpiece surfaces
• Swiveling handling of metal profiles and coils is also possible with manual vacuum handling devices

Handling high payloads

• Horizontal handling of particularly heavy large-format sheet metal and metal plates up to 2,000 kg
• Customized solutions for higher payloads can be realized, e.g. lifting devices for handling heavy steel profiles weighing tons and steel sections up to 60 m long
• Simple, safe and ergonomic handling