Whereas traditional centralized vacuum systems consist of one vacuum source providing vacuum to multiple points-of-use at varying distances, a decentralized system conversely locates vacuum pumps closer to the points-of-use—thereby helping reduce potential line losses and inefficiencies by positioning vacuum power exactly where it is needed.
Developed by compressed-air specialists PIAB, the proprietary COAX technology provides an improved design based on the multistage concept for creating vacuum with compressed air.
Because it can be easily integrated into the body of manufacturing machinery with multistage cartridges, COAX makes optimal use of energy, while also enhancing the grip, by eliminating line losses and inefficiencies found with centralized vacuum systems.
CRUISE CONTROL
Equipping a vacuum pump with an air-saving cruise control option—thereby automatically maintaining a pre-set level of vacuum to ensure that a consistent and reliable vacuum level is provided at the suction point—can further improve the system.
Once a powerful decentralized system is actually installed into place, it is critical to choose the right suction cups for the job at hand.
A suction cup for either top-loading or bag-opening applications must be both flexible and reliable enough to prove strong, secure and quick grip—meaning good sealing properties and leak compensation.
For top-loading applications, it is important to select a suction cup with a long, stable bellow—whereby the sealing lip of the cup is thin and elongated, with wide diameter for increased working area—to obtain a flexible solution to handle a variety of bag sizes, shapes and dimensions.
Suction cups like PIAB’s BL40-3P and BL-4/BL-5 models present excellent options.
With their good sealing capabilities and strong, stable bellows, the BL40-3P suction cups are designed to enable applications to run at higher speeds—thanks to the large inner-neck diameter; the high-flow fitting for the high initial flow needed for a secure grip; and the highly durable and elastic DURAFLEX cup construction material that provides for superior sealing capability.
Designed to ensure high initial flow, the BL-4 and BL-5 suction cups help facilitate quick gripping speed that also makes them well-suited for applications requiring precise level adjustments.
Made of silicone material that complies with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, these new bag-handling suction cups can come in direct contact with food items in top-loading applications, while their wide temperature range of -60°C to 200°C enables them to handle dozens of different bagged products—including bags of frozen food.
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