Vacuum generator from Schmalz: Creating a vacuum without compressed air
The electrical vacuum generator ECBP is ideal for handling airtight and slightly porous workpieces. It features an integrated speed control function, which regulates the power of the pump to suit the process or workpiece: Moving porous workpieces such as cardboard requires considerable suction capacity and thus considerable energy.
The electrical vacuum generator ECBP from J. Schmalz GmbH represents a new generation of intelligent vacuum generators that do not require compressed air. The ECBP has an integrated interface for connection to grippers and robots, and is particularly suited for use on lightweight robots in mobile robotics as well as for stationary handling tasks.
The electrical vacuum generator ECBP is ideal for handling airtight and slightly porous workpieces. It features an integrated speed control function, which regulates the power of the pump to suit the process or workpiece: Moving porous workpieces such as cardboard requires considerable suction capacity and thus considerable energy. Airtight materials, on the other hand, require less power, meaning the user can reduce the speed. This degree of flexibility makes the vacuum generator extremely energy efficient.
As the vacuum is generated without compressed air, and thus the accompanying hosing, the ECBP is particularly useful in mobile robotics, fully automated small parts handling as well as for stationary handling tasks. Different grippers from the Schmalz VEE modular system can be attached simply and easily via integrated flanges. Connection to lightweight robots from different manufacturers works in the same way.
Via a data interface, the ECBP provides the user with energy and process data via IO-Link from the machine to the cloud. The condition monitoring function recognizes deviations in the vacuum supply, for example, thus reducing faults and downtimes. This considerably increases the reliability of the system for the user. Furthermore, the user has various options for adapting the pump capacity to the handling process: For example, the ECBP can be parameterized directly on the device, using an NFC-enabled mobile terminal or via IO-Link in the control center.
Thanks to the plastic housing, the ECBP weighs just 700 grams and is designed in such a way that there are no interfering contours. The electrical connection to the pump is established via an 8-pin M12 connector. The maximum suction capacity is up to 12 liters per minute at a maximum current strength of 0.7 amperes.