Grippers EOAT

Vacuum Grippers for Robotic Pick and Place Automation

Vacuforce vacuum grippers provide machine builders, system integrators and automation engineers with a complete plug-and-play vacuum handling solution. Rather than designing a custom vacuum cup layout, vacuum manifold and mounting system from scratch, a vacuum gripper provides a ready-to-install tool that can be mounted directly onto a robot, gantry system, pick-and-place machine or automated handling system.

Vacuforce offers several vacuum gripper technologies designed to handle cartons, bags, plastic parts, lumber, sheet materials, packaging products and many other industrial products. These grippers simplify system design, reduce engineering time and improve handling flexibility compared to traditional vacuum cup tooling.

What Is a Vacuum Gripper?

A vacuum gripper is a complete end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) solution that uses vacuum to grip, lift and move products. Vacuum grippers typically incorporate vacuum cups or foam sealing technology, vacuum distribution channels, self-closing valves and mounting systems within a single assembly.

They are widely used in robotics, palletizing systems, packaging machinery, warehouse automation and industrial material handling applications.

Why Use a Vacuum Gripper?

• Plug and Play Installation: Reduces engineering and assembly time.
• Flexible Product Handling: Handles varying product sizes without tooling changes.
• Fast Robot Integration: Easily mounted to robots and automation equipment.
• Reduced Design Complexity: Eliminates the need to design custom vacuum cup layouts.
• Improved Productivity: Faster deployment and commissioning.
• Versatile Applications: Suitable for cartons, bags, lumber, plastic parts and more.

Universal Vacuum Gripper Technology

One of the key advantages of a universal vacuum gripper is its ability to pick products of different shapes and sizes without requiring precise positioning. Unlike traditional vacuum cup tooling where every cup must contact the product, universal vacuum grippers can overhang the product while still maintaining effective vacuum performance.

Integrated self-closing valves automatically shut off vacuum flow to areas of the gripper not covered by the product. This allows full vacuum performance to be concentrated on the areas actually contacting the load.

How Self-Closing Vacuum Valves Work

When part of the gripper surface is not covered by the product, the corresponding valves automatically close. This prevents vacuum leakage and allows the system to maintain strong holding force on the active gripping area.

This technology enables one gripper to handle multiple product sizes, making it ideal for mixed-product manufacturing, warehouse automation and palletizing applications.

Common Applications for Vacuum Grippers

• Robotic palletizing
• Depalletizing systems
• Carton handling
• Corrugated box handling
• Bag and sack handling
• Plastic part handling
• Lumber and wood products
• Sheet material handling
• Packaging automation
• Warehouse automation

Vacuum Grippers vs Individual Vacuum Cups

Traditional vacuum cup tooling often requires careful cup placement and may need to be redesigned when products change. Vacuum grippers provide a more flexible solution by allowing a single tool to handle multiple products without extensive changeover requirements.

For many robotic applications, vacuum grippers reduce engineering costs while increasing operational flexibility and system uptime.