Goudsmit Magnetic Systems BV, Waalre, The Netherlands, has redesigned its MagVacu® Combi gripper. A combination of a conventional vacuum lifting system with magnetic grippers ensures higher switching speeds and a doubling of the lifting power. This increases the handling speed of the robot and reduces production time. The system comprises a combination of magnetism and vacuum technology, and processes plates of (perforated) steel, aluminium or stainless steel up to a thickness of 12mm. Retooling for different products is not required, as a result of which more types of products can be processed on unmanned machines. The magnet pulls the steel sheet onto the vacuum suction cup, causing it to fit neatly on all sides. Such grippers can be used in automated processes on laser cutting machines, robotic bending-off presses and press transfer systems in the automobile and plate processing industries. The MagVacu® Combi gripper is connected to the vacuum circuit via a hose. This vacuum circuit is fitted with a blow-off valve which puts the pipe system under pressure. This overpressure has two purposes: it switches the permanent magnetic field off in a fraction of a second and it ensures overpressure in the suction cup, causing the plate product to be blown loose very quickly.
