Plate handling uses magnetics and pneumatics

A Goudsmit Magnetics Groep product story

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team May 26, 2004

Combination of magnetism and vacuum techniques for the handling of (perforated)steel, aluminium and stainless steel up to a thickness of 12mm avoids retooling when product is changed.

Goudsmit Magnetic Systems BV of Waalre has recently developed and patented a totally new system for the handling of plates.

This MagVacu Combigripper makes use of a combination of magnetism and vacuum techniques for the handling of (perforated)steel, aluminium and stainless steel up to a thickness of 12 mm.

Retooling for different products is not necessary so that more types of products can be handled on unmanned machines.

This integrated system is also twice as powerful as, and safer than, conventional vacuum systems.

The magnet pulls the steel plate onto the vacuum suction cup so that it fits neatly onto it.

This means that no vacuum can leak away around the edge of the suction cup which was often the case in conventional vacuum-lifting of plates which were rougher.

Grippers such as this can be used in automated processes on laser cutting machines, robotic bending-off presses and press transfer systems in the automobile and plate processing industries.

Vacuum circuit connection - The MagVacu CombiGripper only has a single connection port and is connected to the vacuum circuit using a hose.

This vacuum circuit is fitted with a blow-off valve which puts the pipe system under pressure.

This overpressure has two purposes: it switches the permanent magnetic field off in a fraction of a second and it ensures overpressure in the suction cup which loosens the grip on the plate product very quickly.

With vacuum grippers alone it is possible to handle 75% of all products without retooling but with the MagVacu gripper this rises to 90 to 95%.

The combination of vacuum technology and magnetic force also ensures that plates are handled twice as easily and twice as safely and, in addition, steel, aluminium and stainless steel can be handled by a single system without retooling.