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SFG flow gripper enables fast, hygienic, precise packaging automation
Schmalz’s hygienic SFG flow gripper delivers strong suction and speed, enabling automated packaging of diverse, delicate food and chemical products efficiently.
www.schmalz.com
The SFG flow gripper in hygienic design offers high suction power and is impressive in highly dynamic processes.
Whether gummy bears or mozzarella – loose or liquid goods such as food and chemicals require packaging for automated movement, transport, and sale. Boxes and bags protect the contents, prevent product leakage, and provide space for important information. Packaging meets many requirements and influences customer satisfaction. The trend is towards recyclable, compostable, and plastic-free materials. In addition, smart packaging for indicating freshness and customized designs are gaining ground in many applications. Product packaging varies greatly across the world and is subject to rapid change. "For the automation of packaging lines, this means that machines and automation solutions must become more flexible in order to handle different materials," says Thomas Lichtenberger, Head of Sales at Schmalz in Glatten. "We develop innovative solutions that combine efficiency and ergonomics. This enables companies to respond quickly to new requirements and optimize their automation strategy."
"We develop innovative solutions that combine efficiency and ergonomics. This enables companies to respond quickly to new requirements and increase their level of automation," said Thomas Lichtenberger, Head of Sales at Schmalz.
The food and pharmaceutical industries require versatile packaging technologies and the right materials. Schmalz offers a wide range of vacuum components and systems that the company has developed specifically for automation in these industries. Whether primary packaging with direct product contact, enveloping secondary packaging, or end-of-line palletizing (EOLP) – the vacuum expert from the Black Forest supports the process industry with solutions for all areas.
The PSSG-X bag gripper safely picks up even partially filled paper, plastic and fabric bags.
Unique and hygienic
The human hand is unsurpassed when it comes to moving diverse objects precisely and safely. With the new mGrip finger gripper, Schmalz mimics the limb, making it available for automated applications. Thanks to circularly or parallel-arranged finger modules, round and elongated workpieces can be handled safely and gently. The pneumatically controlled mGrip finger gripper with its hygienic design enables very precise adaptation to different products, for example, by regulating the gripping force. This allows even delicate products such as baked goods and fruit to be moved very sensitively. This enables companies to achieve fast picking around the clock.
Particle-free and sterile
Cleanrooms are subject to strict requirements regarding air purity, particle-free operation, and hygiene. The PalVac Sprint Hygienic vacuum tube lifter meets the highest hygiene standards and enables the safe, ergonomic movement of loads weighing up to 100 kilograms in contamination-free environments. The easy-to-clean surfaces made of stainless steel and food-grade materials are ideal for the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. Specialists operate the PalVac intuitively.
Medicines and cosmetics
The wear-resistant FSG SI-HD bellows suction cups are ideal for automated applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. They are made of food-grade silicone certified by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). HD stands for heavy duty, as the material can withstand even highly abrasive materials and is temperature-resistant between -30 and 180 degrees Celsius. This allows the suction cups to securely grip syringes, ampoules, or vials in highly dynamic processes. "Companies benefit from long maintenance intervals because the robust material has a long service life," explains Lichtenberger. This not only ensures high productivity but also cost savings, as fewer spare parts are required.
Bags with heavy wrinkles are no problem for the PSPF bellows suction cups thanks to their flexible and soft sealing lip.
Bags and cardboard
Schmalz offers the SPB1/SPF/SPB2 bellows suction cups specifically for palletizing and depalletizing processes. They, too, are characterized by their long service life. This is made possible by the Elastodur ED-65 material, which has a service life three times that of nitrile rubber (NBR) – even with abrasive products such as cardboard boxes. Thanks to their inherent stability, the suction cups are suitable for dynamic processes. The large, effective suction surface enables high forces. This allows cartons to be handled quickly, safely, and precisely. Bags are a resource-saving option for packaging liquids and bulk materials. However, they are difficult to handle because they are flexible and therefore difficult to grip. The PSPF bellows suction cups have a flexible and soft sealing lip that provides optimal sealing even on bags with severe creases. What makes them special is that the bellows and sealing lip are combined in a two-component compound, combining the advantages of both materials in one suction cup.
This solution enables the reliable handling of pouches with liquid, solid, or powder contents, as well as bags with low fill levels. Especially in conjunction with delta robots, such as for case-packing or pick-and-place applications, the PSPF gripper ensures fast and stable packaging processes.
With the SFG flow gripper in hygienic design, Schmalz offers another solution for food processing. Thanks to its compact and lightweight design and high suction power, it masters highly dynamic processes. It is particularly suitable for automated handling of structured workpieces such as baked goods. A metal-detectable version is also available. The new PSSG-X bag gripper is extremely lightweight and handles paper, plastic, and fabric bags fully automatically. Fill levels are irrelevant – it reliably grips even partially filled containers.
The SCPL multi-stage compact ejector is suitable for a wide range of different packaging tasks.
Efficient and powerful
To ensure that the vacuum reaches the suction cup, the right vacuum generation is required. The SCPL multi-stage compact ejector, for example, is ideal for this purpose, providing vacuum efficiently with low compressed air consumption. It moves porous workpieces such as cardboard boxes effortlessly thanks to its high suction capacity. For materials with a high suction capacity, such as coated cardboard, an optional air-saving control ensures economical operation. Combined with area gripping systems and suction beams, these versatile devices can also evacuate large volumes.
And another convincing feature: Schmalz has integrated valve technology and vacuum monitoring into the device. This means operators don't need an external solution to control the vacuum system. "Because the vacuum switches and valves are directly on board, many individual components are eliminated, and there's no clutter of cables on the system," says Lichtenberger.
Sustainable and durable
Schmalz's solutions not only enable economical and safe processes. The company places great emphasis on sustainability and resource efficiency in its development. Long service life reduces material and energy consumption. The smart design relies on reversible connections, allowing the materials to be easily separated and recycled individually during disposal. Many field system consultants support their customers with extensive expertise and detailed knowledge. This provides them with comprehensive, solution-oriented advice on all aspects of packaging.
www.schmalz.com
Whether gummy bears or mozzarella – loose or liquid goods such as food and chemicals require packaging for automated movement, transport, and sale. Boxes and bags protect the contents, prevent product leakage, and provide space for important information. Packaging meets many requirements and influences customer satisfaction. The trend is towards recyclable, compostable, and plastic-free materials. In addition, smart packaging for indicating freshness and customized designs are gaining ground in many applications. Product packaging varies greatly across the world and is subject to rapid change. "For the automation of packaging lines, this means that machines and automation solutions must become more flexible in order to handle different materials," says Thomas Lichtenberger, Head of Sales at Schmalz in Glatten. "We develop innovative solutions that combine efficiency and ergonomics. This enables companies to respond quickly to new requirements and optimize their automation strategy."
"We develop innovative solutions that combine efficiency and ergonomics. This enables companies to respond quickly to new requirements and increase their level of automation," said Thomas Lichtenberger, Head of Sales at Schmalz.
The food and pharmaceutical industries require versatile packaging technologies and the right materials. Schmalz offers a wide range of vacuum components and systems that the company has developed specifically for automation in these industries. Whether primary packaging with direct product contact, enveloping secondary packaging, or end-of-line palletizing (EOLP) – the vacuum expert from the Black Forest supports the process industry with solutions for all areas.
The PSSG-X bag gripper safely picks up even partially filled paper, plastic and fabric bags.
Unique and hygienic
The human hand is unsurpassed when it comes to moving diverse objects precisely and safely. With the new mGrip finger gripper, Schmalz mimics the limb, making it available for automated applications. Thanks to circularly or parallel-arranged finger modules, round and elongated workpieces can be handled safely and gently. The pneumatically controlled mGrip finger gripper with its hygienic design enables very precise adaptation to different products, for example, by regulating the gripping force. This allows even delicate products such as baked goods and fruit to be moved very sensitively. This enables companies to achieve fast picking around the clock.
Particle-free and sterile
Cleanrooms are subject to strict requirements regarding air purity, particle-free operation, and hygiene. The PalVac Sprint Hygienic vacuum tube lifter meets the highest hygiene standards and enables the safe, ergonomic movement of loads weighing up to 100 kilograms in contamination-free environments. The easy-to-clean surfaces made of stainless steel and food-grade materials are ideal for the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. Specialists operate the PalVac intuitively.
Medicines and cosmetics
The wear-resistant FSG SI-HD bellows suction cups are ideal for automated applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. They are made of food-grade silicone certified by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). HD stands for heavy duty, as the material can withstand even highly abrasive materials and is temperature-resistant between -30 and 180 degrees Celsius. This allows the suction cups to securely grip syringes, ampoules, or vials in highly dynamic processes. "Companies benefit from long maintenance intervals because the robust material has a long service life," explains Lichtenberger. This not only ensures high productivity but also cost savings, as fewer spare parts are required.
Bags with heavy wrinkles are no problem for the PSPF bellows suction cups thanks to their flexible and soft sealing lip.
Bags and cardboard
Schmalz offers the SPB1/SPF/SPB2 bellows suction cups specifically for palletizing and depalletizing processes. They, too, are characterized by their long service life. This is made possible by the Elastodur ED-65 material, which has a service life three times that of nitrile rubber (NBR) – even with abrasive products such as cardboard boxes. Thanks to their inherent stability, the suction cups are suitable for dynamic processes. The large, effective suction surface enables high forces. This allows cartons to be handled quickly, safely, and precisely. Bags are a resource-saving option for packaging liquids and bulk materials. However, they are difficult to handle because they are flexible and therefore difficult to grip. The PSPF bellows suction cups have a flexible and soft sealing lip that provides optimal sealing even on bags with severe creases. What makes them special is that the bellows and sealing lip are combined in a two-component compound, combining the advantages of both materials in one suction cup.
This solution enables the reliable handling of pouches with liquid, solid, or powder contents, as well as bags with low fill levels. Especially in conjunction with delta robots, such as for case-packing or pick-and-place applications, the PSPF gripper ensures fast and stable packaging processes.
With the SFG flow gripper in hygienic design, Schmalz offers another solution for food processing. Thanks to its compact and lightweight design and high suction power, it masters highly dynamic processes. It is particularly suitable for automated handling of structured workpieces such as baked goods. A metal-detectable version is also available. The new PSSG-X bag gripper is extremely lightweight and handles paper, plastic, and fabric bags fully automatically. Fill levels are irrelevant – it reliably grips even partially filled containers.
The SCPL multi-stage compact ejector is suitable for a wide range of different packaging tasks.
Efficient and powerful
To ensure that the vacuum reaches the suction cup, the right vacuum generation is required. The SCPL multi-stage compact ejector, for example, is ideal for this purpose, providing vacuum efficiently with low compressed air consumption. It moves porous workpieces such as cardboard boxes effortlessly thanks to its high suction capacity. For materials with a high suction capacity, such as coated cardboard, an optional air-saving control ensures economical operation. Combined with area gripping systems and suction beams, these versatile devices can also evacuate large volumes.
And another convincing feature: Schmalz has integrated valve technology and vacuum monitoring into the device. This means operators don't need an external solution to control the vacuum system. "Because the vacuum switches and valves are directly on board, many individual components are eliminated, and there's no clutter of cables on the system," says Lichtenberger.
Sustainable and durable
Schmalz's solutions not only enable economical and safe processes. The company places great emphasis on sustainability and resource efficiency in its development. Long service life reduces material and energy consumption. The smart design relies on reversible connections, allowing the materials to be easily separated and recycled individually during disposal. Many field system consultants support their customers with extensive expertise and detailed knowledge. This provides them with comprehensive, solution-oriented advice on all aspects of packaging.
www.schmalz.com
