Gripping with vacuum is the right choice when it comes to sensitive surfaces, lining up without gaps or lifting dimensionally unstable films. Another factor becomes increasingly important when humans and robots work together: safety. In contrast to mechanical grippers, there is no risk of crushing with the vacuum version. Schmalz also ensures compliance with DIN ISO/TS 15066, which supports risk assessment, through innovative product design, increasing the contact surface and reducing impact forces. One gripper that the vacuum expert has designed specifically for use on collaborative robots is the FXCB/FMCB surface gripper. In addition to its rounded shape, it is also its low weight that makes it ideal for use on cobots and lightweight robots. The lower the weight of the end effector, the better the robot arm can use its payload for the actual task.

The latest Cobot-specific development from Schmalz - the SLG lightweight gripper - is also light and safe. With this system, the vacuum expert meets the requirements of flexible production and thus the demand for quickly available, individual end-of-arm tools. Users configure their gripper intuitively via an engineering tool according to the handling task - regardless of whether it is a crate or a free-form object. The suction cup materials and positions can be ideally matched to the workpiece. The user does not need any special knowledge because the software is based on the knowledge of the Schmalz experts. The result is a data model that is then additively manufactured. 3D printing enables a stable yet lightweight and functional design.

The gripping system becomes smart when combined with intelligent vacuum components such as the CobotPump ECBPi or the vacuum switch VSi. Equipped with NFC, IO-Link or Ethernet interfaces, they bring intelligence to the actuator and sensor level. They make vacuum grippers visible for the digital production environment and thus increase the efficiency of the overall system.