Schmalz at FACHPACK: Ergonomics and Efficiency

Support for moving heavy loads at various locations is provided by the JumboFlex Mobile.

The Balgsauggreifer PSPF handles thin, flexible, or liquid-filled bags securely.

The pneumatic vacuum generators RECBi can be easily integrated with robots.

At the end-of-arm ecosystem MATCH, an setup assistant supports parameterization and quick changers facilitate mechanical connection.

At this year's FACHPACK (September 24-26, Nuremberg), vacuum expert Schmalz presents innovative solutions at booth 571 in Hall 7. Users can handle various workpieces ergonomically and efficiently – automated or manual.

Packaging meets many requirements: they prevent product contamination, protect the environment from hazardous substances, and facilitate handling of goods. Schmalz demonstrates at FACHPACK how cartons, sacks, bags, metal and glass packaging can be moved at high cycle rates – from vacuum lifters to vacuum technology for robotics.

With the vacuum hose lifter JumboFlex, specialists lift goods weighing up to 50 kilograms ergonomically and at high cycle rates. The intuitive one-finger control allows for quick and safe workflows. Additionally, there is a comprehensive gripper accessory system that connects via quick-change system. An example: the new sack suction gripper PSSG. It securely holds coated and uncoated bags made of paper, plastic, or fabric with varying fill levels in a process-safe manner. In combination with the modular flat arm and the drag chain V-Chain, the JumboFlex also enables space-saving handling solutions in low-clearance areas due to its compact design.

Employees can easily handle loads up to 300 kilograms with the vacuum hose lifter JumboErgo.
It is modular and adapts to each task with different grippers. The necessary vacuum is provided, for example, by the directly driven vacuum blowers SBV. They guarantee stable, reliable suction performance, reduce energy consumption, and minimize maintenance effort through their simple design and direct drive technology.

If companies need a portable hose lifter for packages up to 50 kilograms, the JumboFlex Mobile is an option. The lightweight articulated arm crane and height-adjustable column make it very compact, allowing flexible use at different locations. Only a standard industrial power outlet (400 volts, 50 Hz, 16 amps) is required. The base body is soundproofed, resulting in only minimal noise levels.

Robotics and Automation

For automated processes, Schmalz introduces new gripper solutions, such as the bag suction cup PSPF. With its 3.5 folds and high-strength two-component connection of bellows and sealing lip, it securely holds very thin and flexible bags. Its strength is demonstrated with all packaging that is filled entirely or partially with liquids or bulk goods. Typical application areas include dynamic packaging processes with delta robots or pick-and-place applications. The suction gripper is made of FDA-compliant silicone and is approved for contact with food.

The lightweight layer gripper ZLW handles various workpieces up to 35 kilograms, such as packages, bags, glasses, cans, and buckets. The gripping surface measures up to 850 × 650 millimeters. The system is suitable for automated end-of-line (EOL) palletizing processes with lightweight robots as well as for pick-and-place in production. The suction grid can be adapted to the size of the items. This enables companies to achieve highly efficient vacuum generation and save costs, as no pressure losses need to be compensated.

Flexible Gripping Solutions

If users want to pick up different products from various pickup positions, the FQE layer gripping system is recommended. The configurable universal gripper is available with integrated or external vacuum generation. It is especially suitable for stationary handling tasks with collaborative robots or for fully automated applications. Integrated control valves enable minimal cycle times and disturbance contours. The gripping surface of the new FQE-V model can be freely scaled from 110 × 230 to 400 × 280 millimeters. This allows precise handling of specific workpiece geometries.

For automated box picking, the Bin-Picker SBPG is suitable. It extracts free-shaped parts from containers with chaotic or pre-sorted packing patterns. Its flexible suction gripper adapts optimally to the contour of the workpiece, and it is lightweight and easy to clean thanks to the integrated vacuum generation.

Schmalz has developed the new pneumatic vacuum generators RECBi for end-of-arm (EoA) use on lightweight robots, cobots, and conventional 6-axis robots. They handle airtight and porous workpieces in processes with short cycle and evacuation times. Thanks to the adjustable gripper system PXT, they can be quickly adapted to different applications. The vacuum generators are also available for the multifunctional EoA platform MATCH, enabling automated gripper changes.