Vacuum technology is generally associated with the generic term gripper technology. There are numerous applications in handling technology in which mechanical gripper technology is used and provides many advantages. However, there are also many applications where this technology has its limits. That is when vacuum technology is often used, since it opens up completely new concepts and opportunities for industry.

Handling is one of the functions used for the flow of materials, and can be divided into storing, changing quantities, moving, securing and monitoring. The prerequisite for this is the presence of specific geometric bodies (individual parts or modules). Handling technology equipment includes components and systems for feeding technology, insertion devices, manipulators and robots. The way in which parts are handled has a major effect on productivity in automated manufacturing and assembly processes.

Nowadays, vacuum technology is an important part of handling systems and it would be impossible to imagine many industries and application areas without it. It has proven itself many times over in handling a wide variety of materials and parts, thus creating completely new perspectives and possible solutions for handling systems.

The following keywords are intended to illustrate the importance of vacuum technology and the range of tasks that it can take on in handling technology:

• Lifting
• Loading
• Conveying
• Turning
• Gripping
• Clamping
• Holding
• Inserting
• Moving
• Repositioning
• Transporting
• Feeding

All these tasks enable an almost infinite number of possible applications in industry. Industrial applications of vacuum technology are, for example:

• Machine and plant construction
• Packaging industry
• Food processing industry
• Woodworking industry
• Metalworking industry
• Automotive industry Electrical industry

Vacuum technology offers the following advantages in handling systems:

• Gentle handling of sensitive parts
• Simple component or system design
• Compact, space-saving design
• Low weight, i.e. suitable for high dynamic movements
• Fast cycle times possible
• Low cost
• Low maintenance
• Can be adapted to suit many requirements

There are many factors that determine whether vacuum technology or another technology is used. Here are some of the important ones:

• Weight of the workpiece
• Temperature of the workpiece or its surface
• Speed per unit of time to perform the cycles
• Shape of the surface of the workpieces
• Roughness of the surface of the workpieces
• Lifting and transport distances during handling

Since there is a large variety of vacuum components on offer, it is easy to select those that have the required properties, such as heat resistance, speed, suction strength, etc., for a wide range of applications, taking into account the factors mentioned above. Festo offers a software tool that helps to identify and select the right vacuum components for the application.

Vacuum design