FIPA releases high performance oval suction cups for sheet metal handling

FIPA Inc., manufacturer of advanced vacuum technology, gripper systems, air nippers, tube lifters, and End-of-Arm-Tooling (EOAT), has expanded its extensive suction cup portfolio with the addition of two new series of oval suction cups for sheet metal handling. The new oval cup design of the SM-OF and SM-OB Series enables the dynamic, slip-free handling of both dry and oily metal sheets in a variety of automotive, metal processing, and mechanical and plant engineering applications, and is especially ideal for use in constricted spaces. The robust new design utilizes multi-part, anti-slip cleats together with anti-slip supporting ribs that provide a high degree of slip resistance, effectively absorb shear forces — even when handling oily sheets, and prevent the deformation of thin sheets, which is critical in applications like auto body manufacturing. Oval cups deliver significantly greater suction force than round cups of equal width, and the flat SM-OF and bellows SM-OB cups are also wear resistant to provide exceptionally long lifetime performance, which contributes to significant savings in operating costs over time. Further, these suction cups are PWIS- and silicone-free, and feature a flexible sealing lip that provides reliable, leak-free suction on ridged, curved, elongated, and cylindrical workpieces with minimal surface area, such as rails, tubes, and bolts.

FIPA offers the widest range of suction cups in the world — all perfectly tailored to unique needs and applications across a broad spectrum of industries,” said Rainer Mehrer, president of FIPA. “For example, the sheet metal and metal processing industries place rigorous demands on suction cups, requiring high holding force, dependable slip resistance, the absence of silicone and paint-wetting impairment substances, and an extremely long operating life. FIPA’s entire line of suction cups for sheet metal handling, including our new SM-OF and SM-OB Series oval suction cups, not only satisfy these requirements, but also provide customers with unbeatable quality at competitive prices.”

Rated for working temperatures spanning -22°F to +194°F, FIPA’s new oval NBR suction cups are available with six different styles of robust aluminum connection threads to ensure maximum compatibility and provide customers with the opportunity to quickly and easily optimize even third-party systems. The SM-OF flat oval suction cups are available in seven sizes (56x16mm, 66x23mm, 96x32mm, 86x40mm, 106x50mm, 126x60mm, and 146x70mm) with various profile heights spanning 18mm to 34mm. The SM-OB oval bellows suction cups are available in four sizes (67x32mm, 87x42mm, 118x57mm, and 148x72mm) with profile heights spanning 27mm to 42mm, and feature bellows with 1.5 folds and a geometry that both enables the efficient handling of three-dimensional shaped sheets and ensures excellent attenuation when placed on a workpiece.