Product novelty 12. September 2022

High-performer for compressed air-free vacuum automation

With the Compact Pump GCPi, Schmalz presents a powerful vacuum generator with a purely electrical suction and ventilation function. Supplemented by the electric 3/2-way compact valve LQE, the user gets a compressed air-free vacuum system with the performance of conventional ejector solutions.

All-electric vacuum systems are in demand wherever compressed air is not available and the focus is on efficiency. This can be in manufacturing and assembly as well as in autonomous transport systems and robots. The new Compact Pump GCPi from J. Schmalz GmbH generates the vacuum required for handling with the help of an efficient double-head diaphragm pump. Instead of compressed air, it only needs a 24-volt supply, for example from a battery. Thanks to the integrated energy-saving control, the speed of the pump is controlled as needed and optimised for the respective workpiece.

The GCPi is IoT-ready: process parameters are entered via the integrated IO-Link interface or via digital control signals. In addition, it is possible to enter parameters via the LCD touch display attached to the device. The user reads out information about the process via the integrated NFC interface.
Schmalz has equipped the GCPi with additional connections. The new LQE compact valve can also be operated via these: The fully electric 3/2-way valve has a very compact design and can be mounted directly on the gripper. This significantly speeds up evacuation and ventilation of the vacuum system. A sensor integrated in the LQE that monitors the vacuum ensures even more process reliability. If independent suction circuits are to be realised in the vacuum system, several LQE compact valves are used for decentralised control. The vacuum for this is generated - centrally - by the GCPi.

The GCPi compact pump is expected to be available from September 2022, the LQE compact valve in the fourth quarter of 2022