{"id":6154,"date":"2024-04-25T05:41:44","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T05:41:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beckerpumps.com\/latam\/?p=6154"},"modified":"2025-02-19T20:31:14","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T20:31:14","slug":"how-to-use-a-vacuum-pump-for-robotic-material-handling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beckerpumps.com\/latam\/news\/how-to-use-a-vacuum-pump-for-robotic-material-handling\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use a Vacuum Pump for Robotic Material Handling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether it\u2019s electronics, logistics, packaging & food processing, printing & paper, construction, or another production process, robotic material handling can be the fastest, most accurate, and most efficient method of picking and placing materials<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every manufacturing process has its requirements for handling materials. In addition to selecting industrial robots and software programming, choosing the right technology for gripping and holding the specific package or product is critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The simplest solution for picking and placing objects is physical handling by human employees. Alternative choices include using vacuum pumps for automated robotic handling, mechanical grippers, or Venturi pumps (using compressed air to create vacuum).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we focus on selecting the right vacuum pump for automated robotic material handling applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

VACUUM PUMPS FOR ROBOTIC MATERIAL HANDLING <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The basic process of robotic handling uses vacuum created by a vacuum pump to temporarily hold an item with an end-of-arm tool (EOAT) to move or modify it. The most common application is placing a product in a box and\/or moving the box itself. But pick & place also can be used to accurately place tiny electronic elements on a circuit board or move heavy concrete blocks for construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving an object this way requires the vacuum pump to be hooked to tubes or piping which are connected to EOATs such as vacuum cups that pick up and hold the product, then release it in the correct location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MATERIAL HANDLING CHALLENGES<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

However, there are challenges to handling materials that must be addressed when selecting the method to use. For example, human employees are limited in the amount of work each can accomplish in a day, and the payroll cost can be high. Employees may also be susceptible to injury from heavy loads or exposure to hazardous materials, processes, or equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mechanical gripping is slower and sometimes a high gripping strength is needed, which can damage sensitive or delicate items. Hazards from the product or the manufacturing environment, such as corrosive chemicals also may damage any mechanical handling equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VACUUM PUMPS: AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION<\/strong> <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Robotic applications using vacuum make picking and placing objects easier, faster, and often safer, with less physical work for employees. Vacuum pumps typically are a safer alternative to mechanical or physical handling, especially in hazardous locations or when dealing with hazardous materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two types of pumps can supply vacuum to an automated robotic material handling system: mechanical vacuum pumps and Venturi pumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Venturi pumps<\/a> may cost less upfront, they require access to a compressed air source, making them overall more costly with higher energy consumption and lower efficiency than mechanical vacuum pumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mechanical vacuum pumps provide the vacuum source needed to grasp, hold, position, and\/or move an object. Compact pumps can be located quite close to the assembly line and robot so that only a short tube or pipe is needed to supply the robot\u2019s EOAT with the necessary vacuum flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHOOSING A VACUUM PUMP FOR ROBOTIC MATERIAL HANDLING <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dry rotary vane<\/a>, hook and claw<\/a>, regenerative blower<\/a>, and oil-lubricated vacuum pumps<\/a> all have traits that are needed for specific applications in robotic material handling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oil-lubricated pumps typically are not used in the most common robotic material handling applications due to potential contamination from oil mist exhaust from the pump. But oil-lubricated pumps are ideal for moving moist or oily products and dense materials like glass or sheet metal with small suction cups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REQUIRED PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To determine the right vacuum pump type and model for a particular material handling application, the following factors are critical:<\/p>\n\n\n\n