Pick Up Cylinders

Vacuum Pick Up Cylinders for Automated Pick-and-Place Systems

Vacuforce vacuum pick up cylinders combine vacuum gripping and short-stroke vertical movement in a single compact device. They are designed for automated handling applications where a product must be approached, gripped and lifted without using a separate pneumatic cylinder for the vertical motion.

Unlike conventional pick-and-place systems that require a pneumatic cylinder, directional valve, fittings, guides and separate vacuum gripping components, a vacuum cylinder uses the vacuum source itself to create the operating sequence. This can simplify machine design, reduce the number of components and provide fast, repeatable handling for lightweight products.

Vacuum pick up cylinders are commonly used in packaging machinery, paper handling, printing equipment, labeling systems, converting machinery and compact industrial automation.

What Is a Vacuum Pick Up Cylinder?

A vacuum pick up cylinder is a self-actuating vacuum handling device that combines vertical movement with a suction cup connection. When vacuum is applied, the internal piston extends downward toward the product.

Once the suction cup contacts the workpiece and establishes a vacuum seal, the internal pressure changes within the cylinder. The internal spring then retracts the piston and lifts the product.

This operating principle allows both product contact and lifting motion to be achieved using the vacuum circuit, reducing the need for additional pneumatic motion components.

How Does a Vacuum Cylinder Work?

The operating sequence is simple and automatic:

• The cylinder begins in the retracted upper position.
• Vacuum is applied to the cylinder.
• The piston automatically extends downward toward the product.
• The vacuum cup contacts the product surface.
• A vacuum seal is established between the cup and the product.
• Pressure equalizes inside the cylinder.
• The internal spring retracts the piston and lifts the product.
• When vacuum is released, the product is deposited.

Key Advantages of Vacuum Pick Up Cylinders

• Reduced component count: Combines gripping and vertical motion in one device.
• Simple machine design: Can remove the need for a separate pneumatic cylinder and associated controls.
• Compact installation: Useful where machine space is limited.
• Fast response: Suitable for repetitive high-cycle pick-and-place applications.
• Automatic operation: Vacuum creates the extension and retraction sequence.
• Maintenance-free design: Routine lubrication is not required.
• Height compensation: The cylinder can accommodate small variations in product position within its available stroke.

Why Vacuum Cylinders Are Useful for Porous Products

Products such as paper, corrugated board and some lightweight packaging materials allow air to leak through or around the product surface. This can make vacuum handling more difficult because the vacuum source must continually compensate for leakage.

A vacuum pick up cylinder extends the suction cup directly toward the product before the lifting phase begins. This minimizes the internal vacuum volume between the cup and the vacuum source and helps the system establish product contact quickly.

The vacuum source must still provide sufficient airflow to compensate for any porosity in the product. Vacuum cylinder selection should therefore consider both the vacuum level and the available vacuum flow.

Typical Applications

• Paper sheet handling
• Labels and labeling machinery
• Printing equipment
• Packaging machinery
• Lightweight carton handling
• Converting equipment
• Small plastic components
• Automated feeding systems
• Compact pick-and-place machinery
• Robotic end-of-arm tooling

Selection Guidance

Selecting the correct vacuum cylinder requires consideration of the product weight, required travel, suction cup size, cycle speed and available vacuum supply.

• Stroke: Select enough travel to reach the product throughout normal positional variation.
• Product weight: Confirm that the suction cup provides sufficient holding force with an appropriate safety factor.
• Cup size: Match the suction cup diameter and style to the product surface and available contact area.
• Vacuum level: Ensure the vacuum source can generate the required vacuum level.
• Vacuum flow: Porous products require enough airflow to compensate for leakage.
• Cycle rate: Verify that the cylinder can complete the required motion within the machine cycle time.
• Product variation: Allow sufficient stroke to accommodate normal variations in product height.
• Mounting: Confirm that the cylinder can be installed without side-loading the piston.

Vacuum Cylinder vs. Separate Pneumatic Axis

Vacuum Source Requirements

The vacuum source must provide sufficient vacuum flow to actuate the cylinder and establish a secure seal at the suction cup. Depending on the application, vacuum may be generated using a compressed-air venturi ejector, vacuum pump or regenerative blower.

For smooth, non-porous products, the vacuum flow requirement may be relatively low. Paper, corrugated board and other porous products can require substantially more airflow because air continuously leaks through the material.

Vacuum source selection should therefore consider product porosity, suction cup size, tubing length, cycle time and the number of vacuum cylinders operating simultaneously.

Installation Considerations

• Mount the cylinder so the piston travels freely without side loading.
• Keep vacuum tubing as short and unrestricted as practical.
• Use suitably sized tubing to minimize vacuum response time.
• Install filtration where dust or debris may enter the vacuum circuit.
• Ensure the suction cup approaches the product squarely.
• Verify that sufficient stroke remains available for product-height variation.
• Confirm that the vacuum source has adequate flow for the required cycle speed.

Maintenance

Vacuforce vacuum pick up cylinders are designed for low-maintenance industrial operation and do not require routine lubrication.

The suction cup should be inspected periodically for wear, cuts, contamination or deformation. Vacuum tubing and fittings should also be checked for leakage, particularly if machine cycle time begins to increase or lifting reliability decreases.

Where dusty materials such as paper or corrugated board are handled, vacuum filters should be inspected regularly to maintain adequate airflow.

Vacuum Cylinder Application Video

This Vacuforce application video shows a vacuum cylinder being used for automated card sorting. The example demonstrates how short-stroke vertical motion and vacuum gripping can be combined in a compact automated pick-and-place process.

Why Use Vacuforce Vacuum Pick Up Cylinders?

Vacuum cylinders offer an elegant solution for applications that require a short vertical pickup motion followed by vacuum gripping. Integrating these functions into one device can simplify machine construction while reducing valves, cylinders, fittings and mechanical components.

For suitable lightweight applications, this can result in a compact, fast and reliable pick-and-place mechanism with fewer components to install and maintain.