Application Solutions for the Sheet Metal Industry
The major challenge in handling sheet metal products lies in the presence of oil on the metal, but there are also potential issues with unintentional deformation or deep drawing of thinner sheets. A robust sheet metal vacuum cup will address both of these issues while providing reliable performance and long service life.
Product Recommendations for the Sheet Metal Industry
Flat vacuum cups for dynamic sheet handling
For dynamic sheet metal handling, the SM-F flat vacuum cups provide the kind of non-slip, reliable handling that is necessary. These vacuum suction cups have “anti-slip” supporting ribs that enable oily sheets to be handled securely while also absorbing lateral forces. In addition, the design of these flat vacuum suction cups includes internal supports to prevent deformation or unintentional deep drawing of thin sheets.
Flat vacuum cups with safety sealing lips
Also included in the line for flat vacuum cups are the SFU-S products that feature a multiple sealing safety lips that provide excellent process reliability. In addition, these vacuum cups have excellent stability thanks to a vulcanised retainer plate.
Heavy duty flat vacuum suction plates
Not all sheet metal applications involve light-weight sheet metal. For your heavy loads, consider the SFPL-D with its heavy-duty vacuum suction plates and vulcanise steel carrier plate. These vacuum suction cups include an additional inner sealing lip to provide extremely secure gripping even when the surfaces are uneven.
Non-slip vacuum cups
For sheet metal applications that demand a non-slip grip, the answer is the SM-P vacuum cup line. These vacuum suction cups have radial supporting ribs that increase their holding force and prevent unexpected slips. They also include firmly bolted fittings to enhance process security.
Varioflex® bellows cups
For jobs that involve dry sheet metal (without oil), there is another group of options available: the SP-BX Varioflex bellows cups made from special polyurethane in two different degrees of hardness (60° Shore A black, 30° Shore A red). These vacuum bellows cups offer low wear, a long service life, low marking, and adaption to uneven surfaces and heights (with the 2.5 fold model offering more adaptability than the 1.5 fold model). Varioflex bellows suction cups are made with a soft lip for optimal sealing and have internal supports to aid in stabilising the product.
Non-slip vacuum cup’s
For sheet metal applications that demand a non-slip grip, the answer is the SM-P vacuum cup line. These vacuum suction cups have radial supporting ribs that increase their holding force and prevent unexpected slips. They also include firmly bolted fittings to enhance process security.
Flat XXL suction rings
For very large loads, the answer would be the SFR flat XXL suction rings. These suction rings provide a large, flat, vulcanised suction seal on a steel ring to facilitate the handling of heavy, large loads.
Bellows vacuum cups for dynamic sheet handling
The SM-B bellows vacuum suction cups have 1.5 folds and a flexible sealing lip to allow a leak-free grip to be achieved even on curved sheet metal. In addition, these vacuum cups also have internal supports to prevent deformation or deep drawing of thin sheets of metal.
Vacuum suction plate with foamed sealing lip
Sometimes the sheet metal products do not have smooth surfaces; the SP-PLM is specially engineered to provide secure sealing even on heavily textured surfaces. These suction plates are an excellent, cost-effective replacement for products you already have in use.
Oval vacuum suction plate
For sheet metal applications that require high suction force with a small footprint, the answer would the SOPL-S oval vacuum suction plates. In addition to the high suction they provide, these suction plates also have rubberised support surfaces to prevent warping of thin products.
Bellows vacuum suction plates
Some sheet metal products are heavy but sensitive, and in such cases, the SBPL-E bellows vacuum suction plates work very well. They are able to handle even heavy products gently, adapt well to both convex and concave surfaces, and have internal rubberised support to keep the workpieces from being deformed.
Suction plates with leakage reduction
For systems with multiple vacuum cups, the SPLT suction plates with leakage reduction provide reliable suction even in situations that involve variable product shapes. This design includes a combination of either 4×4 or 6×6 bellows vacuums cups, each with 2.5 folds. When individual vacuum cups are not in use, there are flow restrictions in place to keep them from collapsing.
The Benefits of Using FIPA Solutions for Handling Sheet Metal
- FIPA vacuum cup solutions for the sheet metal industry have been engineered specifically for the challenges of working with sheet metal
- Internal supports prevent deep drawing or deformation of parts
- Solutions are available not just for light-weight parts but heavy products, also
- Most designs include vulcanised connection threads for a tight fit