Equip more collaborative robots

The vacuum gripper unit of the ZXP-X1 series – here the ZXP7-41-X1 series for the Cobot manufacturers OMRON Corporation and TECHMAN ROBOT Inc. – enables quick and easy assembly thanks to its design for the OMRON/TECHMAN Cobot series TM5, TM12, and TM14, and offers a high variety of options for mounting vacuum cups for numerous applications. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

Whether for labeling or palletizing, various pick-and-place applications, or conveyor lines: safe and fast processes can be achieved using vacuum grippers on collaborative robots (short Cobots). With the ZXP-X1 series, SMC already offers a solution that, among other features, reduces installation and maintenance time thanks to plug-and-play compatibility for various Cobot manufacturers and boasts high flexibility for a wide range of applications. These advantages are also enjoyed by the newly added series ZXP7-41-X1, ZXP7-21-X1, ZXP7-11-X1, and ZXP7-X1-ASSISTA (both the latter without plug-and-play) – expanding the portfolio to include a variety of compatible Cobots: the TM series from OMRON Corporation and TECHMAN ROBOT Inc., the CRX-10iA and CRX-10iA/L series from Fanuc Corporation, the MOTOMAN-HC10DT series from Yaskawa Electric Corporation, and finally the MELFA ASSISTA series from Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

Industrial automation is a highly diversified field where customer requirements can change rapidly, while consistently high demands are placed on process safety, affecting maintenance and servicing. Vacuum grippers on Cobots are no exception: to address this, SMC, the specialist in pneumatic and electrical automation, has expanded its ZXP-X1 series with the ZXP7-41-X1, ZXP7-21-X1, ZXP7-11-X1, and ZXP7-X1-ASSISTA series. Customers benefit from extensive advantages such as time savings during installation and maintenance, increased flexibility thanks to a variable number of vacuum cups, and customizable mounting options. Additionally, they gain compatibility with Cobot manufacturers OMRON Corporation and TECHMAN ROBOT Inc., and their TM series, the CRX-10iA and CRX-10iA/L series from Fanuc Corporation, the MOTOMAN-HC10DT series from Yaskawa Electric Corporation, and the MELFA ASSISTA series from Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

Ready for rapid deployment in more Cobot systems

The expansion to various series significantly increases compatibility. This enables deployment on even more robot systems than before, providing process engineers with additional flexibility. The commissioning remains quick and straightforward—from simple and intuitive programming to effortless connection of the air supply line and electrical wiring. The vacuum cups can be mounted easily via the standard ISO9409-1-50-5-M6 mounting flange. A mesh screen attached to the vacuum connection prevents foreign objects from entering the system.

Variety as ever

The new expansions of the ZXP-X1 series also allow 1, 2, or 4 vacuum cups to be mounted on the gripper, along with various cup variants regarding suction shape (flat, ribbed flat, thin flat, bellows, or multi-stage bellows), material (NBR, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, or FKM), or diameter (8, 10, 13, 16, 20, 25, 30, or 32 mm). Thanks to the mounting flange, the cups can be attached at different distances and used separately with external vacuum sources. Furthermore, the optional installation of SMC's ZP2V series vacuum safety valve optimizes the process, allowing vacuum to be maintained even during transfer when cups are not engaged. The ZXP7-41-X1, ZXP7-21-X1, ZXP7-11-X1, and ZXP7-X1-ASSISTA series are also lightweight: their low weight and slim external dimensions, similar to the ZXP7-01-X1 series, positively impact the moment of inertia and dynamics.

Applicable across industries for more customers

The entire range of the ZXP-X1 series is designed as an all-in-one unit, integrating vacuum generator, vacuum cups, valves, and pressure sensors into a single element, making it highly suitable for various tasks across industries thanks to its numerous advantages. With the expansion of the gripping unit series to include the Cobot series TM5, TM12, and TM14 from OMRON/TECHMAN, the CRX-10iA and CRX-10iA/L from Fanuc Corporation, the MOTOMAN-HC10DT from Yaskawa Electric Corporation, and the MELFA ASSISTA from Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, even more customers in the food industry, medical technology, paper and packaging industries, forestry, or general automation and manufacturing can benefit from the advantages of the vacuum gripping unit.