Why using vacuum suction cups is beneficial for your vacuum system?
As the final element of a vacuum system, vacuum pads offer a simple and efficient method for lifting and moving a wide range of workpieces. As such, vacuum suction cups offer a cost-efficient alternative to more complex and expensive handling solutions.
Types of suction cups proposed by SMC
Suction cups must be selected based on the workpiece’s characteristics and the specific requirements of each application to guarantee secure gripping of a workpiece.
Our catalogue offers suction cups in a wide range of designs, connection types, shapes, and materials, suitable for diverse applications.
Our vacuum cups are engineered to meet all your requirements:
- Flat suction cups: Ideal for standard suction tasks involving flat workpieces.
- Bellows suction cups: Suitable for compensating height variations and transporting workpieces with inclined or uneven surfaces.
- Oval suction cups: Ideal for applications where workpieces have limited suction surfaces, considerable length, and require high placement precision.
- Nozzle suction cups: Perfect for applications requiring high precision when handling small and lightweight workpieces.
- Sponge suction cups: Perfect for handling uneven or irregular surfaces that are hard to grip and prone to vacuum leakage.
- Non-contact vacuum cups: Ideal for delicate handling of various sizes, materials, and shapes. Suitable for thin, porous, perforated, or pressure-sensitive workpieces.
Key safety considerations for using vacuum pads in industrial settings
The majority of manufacturers apply a safety factor of 2 for horizontal vacuum handling systems and 4 for vertical applications. However, these figures are merely indicative and frequently overlook essential factors such as potential vacuum leaks or the porosity of the workpieces.
SMC’s experience is a key factor in this field. Our extensive knowledge and decades of expertise cades in vacuum solutions have shown that applying higher safety factors is essential to guarantee the reliability of vacuum systems across all industries.
For this reason, we apply a safety factor of 4 for horizontal applications and recommend a higher margin of 8 for vertical applications.
Make the most of our experts' advice to design a vacuum system that guarantees safety and optimises energy efficiency.
Key Criteria for Selecting Vacuum Suction Cups
As suction cups are paramount for enhance the efficiency of the vacuum system, selecting the adequate vacuum pads is important for optimising system performance across various conditions and applications.
The selection of suction pads depends on various key factors, including:
- Mass of the workpiece to be handled
- Orientation of the workpiece (horizontal or vertical)
- Geometric shape of the workpiece to be handled
- Material compatibility
- Surface roughness and porosity of the workpiece
- Inertial forces resulting from acceleration and deceleration
Our practical selection guide makes it easy to find the right vacuum cup for your specific application.
Not sure which suction cup fits your needs? Get in touch with our vacuum technology experts for personalised support in Norwegian or English in choosing the most suitable solution.
