Anyone who wants to transport plastic bags or film-wrapped, dimensionally unstable workpieces with vacuum cups knows the problem: creases form during suction, the suction force diminishes and the transported goods can fall down. SMC has developed the ZP3P series of vacuum cups to solve this problem. Thanks to their soft and flexible suction cup made of silicone rubber, they are suitable for suctioning film-wrapped, thin, dimensionally unstable products. They also comply with 21CFR177.2600 and are therefore FDA-compliant. They are therefore also suitable for use in biotechnology, the food and medical industries and in all applications in which uneven, soft, non-uniform or very thin workpieces need to be transported safely and gently.

SMC offers the ZP3P series vacuum cups in four versions with different cup diameters of 20, 25, 35 and 50 millimetres. The special properties of the ZP3P vacuum cups are due to a number of successful design details: Firstly, the silicone rubber is a soft, flexible material that still offers a secure hold even when wrinkles form. Secondly, the flat shape of the vacuum cups with numerous supporting ribs in the middle ensures that workpieces cannot become deformed when suctioned. At the same time, this shape reduces the tendency to wrinkle.

Another feature of the ZP3P series is the wide range of mounting options. Two connection variants are available for mounting: One with an external thread for direct mounting and a second with an internal thread. SMC offers a total of seven adapters for this. Five for external threads M5, M12, G1/8, G1/4 and G3/8 and two more with internal threads M5 and M8.

Addition to the ZP series
The vacuum cups in the ZP3P series complete the range in this area. These include the ZP, ZP2 and ZP3 series as well as the recently introduced ZP3E series vacuum cups in flat and bellows design. The latter are characterized by a lower weight and improved suction power. As a result, they are easier to remove from the workpiece and, depending on the version, can also be removed without leaving marks. They can be dismantled quickly using a screw and have a suction connection size that is twice as large as their sister models in the ZP series. as