Piab’s FLC expands Piab suction cup universe
piGRIP® FLC is a new component, an interface, that expands the usability of all existing Piab suction cups. “Regardless of application, this product helps handling height differences and off-angle-picking in a simplified yet sophisticated way” says Lennart Ryberg, Product Manager of Piab Vacuum Automation Division.
(piGRIP®) FLC stands for 'Flexible Level Compensator' and is a new innovative Piab component designed to enhance the capabilities of existing Piab suction cups, such as level compensation, reducing the demand for exact positioning of the cups.
By adding the FLC between a piGRIP® bellow and a suction cup of choice, operational flexibility is enhanced allowing for the use of cups that may have unique sealing or friction patterns but lack adequate stroke length.
"With the introduction of the piGRIP® FLC, Piab expands the possibilities for creating a wide range of bellow suction cup combinations, allowing even more customized solutions with enhanced accuracy", says Lennart Ryberg, Product Manager of Piab Vacuum Automation Division.
Angle compensation
The FLC interface also offers joint capability, allowing the suction cup to tilt and adjust its angle relative to the object it attaches to, thereby increasing the range of motion. Being built from proven Piab piGRIP® components, the FLC ensures a secure connection between the machine interface and the attached suction cup and serves as a clamp interface which reduces the risk of detachment during operation. If extra robustness is needed, a piGRIP clamp fitting may be used.
Another clever feature is that the new component allows for the integration of a piSAVE® sense valve between the piGRIP® FLC and the suction cup. This enables control of the FLC stroke retraction and protraction before picking an object, adding an additional layer of functionality.
Sustainable product
Lennart Ryberg explains that one of the prerequisites was that all piGRIP® FLC materials must comply with REACH (EC 1907/2006) and RoHS (2011/65) regulations.
"All fittings, including the lock nut and female connection, are made from aluminium and reusable. piGRIP® bellow and support may easily be replaced when worn out. So, with the FLC we can, apart from modularity and flexibility, provide resilience and sustainability on a new level", concludes Lennart Ryberg.
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