Vacuum technology for automation and handling  

Schmalz is the market leader in vacuum automation and ergonomic handling systems. What began in 1910 with a small workshop in southern Germany has today developed into an internationally operating company with vacuum technology. Its products are used within logistics, wood, metal, glass and automotive industries, electronics sector as well as prefab and furniture production.

Vacuum Automation

Vacuum automation is the key to efficient processes. Individual components such as suction cups and vacuum generators and direct connectable gripping systems are successfully used in various industry segments and applications. The vacuum gripping systems are delivered ready to use. They optimize the loading and unloading of machines, (de-)palletizing and the picking and packaging of goods.

Components

The vacuum components are characterized by their quality, energy efficiency and networking capabilities. They provide real-time digital data on process and energy consumption and make processes transparent. In addition, Schmalz develops software solutions that help to fully exploit the digitization potential in automation.

Vacuum technology for robotics

In addition to vacuum automation, Schmalz also offers vacuum technology for robotics. When using small and collaborating robots, the gripper must meet special requirements: It must be light, universally usable and quickly integrated. Schmalz cobot and robot solutions are used for loading and unloading machines, order picking, (de-)palletizing and bin picking. The program consists of standardized and configurable end-of-arm tools, gripper sets, vision & handling sets and electric and pneumatic vacuum generators.

The gripper solutions are interchangeable with all common lightweight cobots and robots and are supplied as equally connectable sets. Equipped with communication interfaces for bidirectional data exchange with diagnostic function for the handling process, with vision systems for gripper point detection or with ecosystems for automated gripper replacement, the grippers occupy a central role in the automation process.

Vacuum inflation technology

For the machining of wood, glass, plastics and metal, Schmalz supplies an extensive range of vacuum clamping technology. Before a workpiece can be machined precisely - such as drilling, milling or grinding - it must always be clamped, or dimensionally fixed. Clamping with vacuum technology offers several advantages over other clamping methods. It is fast, precise, damage-free and free of distortion. In addition, it has a high holding force and this makes even five-sided machining possible. Even thin and elastic materials can be fixed perfectly.

Lifting systems

Ergonomics and health protection are important issues for companies. Both in the internal material flow and in the logistics process, goods are moved and collected. Manual lifting and moving is very stressful for employees and carries a high risk of accidents and injuries. The vacuum lifters and rail tracks from Schmalz help to make all processes in which goods must be picked up and moved as injury-avoiding, safe and efficient as possible. All vacuum lifters therefore bear the AGR seal of approval.

Vacuum hose lifters are easy to operate and provide fast, safe and ergonomic movement of goods. There are also vacuum lifters that are suitable for particularly heavy workpieces in combination with a chain hoist or winch, for example. Wire balancers are ideal for sensitive and precise positioning of loads. To complement the lifting devices with a wide range of special gripper solutions, an extensive range of crane and rail track systems is available.

Since 2022, the companies Binar Handling and Palamatic Ltd have been part of the Schmalz Group. Binar Handling is a leading manufacturer of cranes, wire balancers and grippers and thus perfectly complements the Schmalz range of handling systems in the area of precise positioning. Palamatic Ltd is an expert in handling solutions for the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries which makes the Schmalz Group's product range for handling goods within these industries very broad. Customers throughout the Benelux are served from the office in Hengelo NL.