Vacuum is probably one of the most misunderstood aspects of automation.  In industrial or automation settings, vacuum is used for gripping, lifting, packaging, bulk and powder material transfer, paper sheet feeding, and much more.

 Understanding your application needs is critical to choosing the most efficient system.  Many production people ask for more vacuum.  But what does that mean, and what are the costs associated with the answers?

 More vacuum usually means increased negative pressure, as related to atmospheric pressure.  When lifting in automated situations, more vacuum means greater lifting force per square inch but more vacuum may not be the answer.  This is because the higher the vacuum required, the less leakage flow it will tolerate or the larger the vacuum pump needed to compensate.  Lifting at lower vacuum levels can insure best tolerances for leaks and often is more cost effective.  Sometimes the answer lies in the suction cup size or

material to achieve the best seal between the cup and the product.

Vacuum Pressure is achieved by removing the air from a container to create vacuum, allowing atmospheric pressure to do the work.   0 psia/29.92 iches of mercury (inHg) would be close to perfect vacuum.

  Consider vacuum pressure and cup size when planning your system.  For example, a vacuum of 18 inHg with a suction cup with a diameter of 2.09" will pick up 16.6 lbs, while at 6 inHg the same suction cup will pick up 8.09 lbs.  When the suction cup diameter is fractionally increased to 3.03" with vacuum level of 6.0 inHg it will pick up 18.0 lbs.

 Vacuum Flow is a measurement of how fast a volume can be evacuated and plays a critical part in high-speed robotics or packaging systems.

 A multi stage venturi pump that can free flow 12.5 scfm will evacuate 1.0 cubic foot to 6 inHg in 1.64 seconds and 18 inHg in 18 seconds.