Reliable, flexible, individually adaptable: FIPA GmbH has extended its range to include bag grippers for handling unstable, bag-type containers and shrink-wrapped packages. “With the bag gripper, FIPA offers a low-maintenance solution for a handling task that was once very complex,” says FIPA CEO Rainer Mehrer.

Whether cement, gypsum, grain, building materials or other bagged products – the new FIPA bag grippers ensure that flexible and robust handling solutions are realized at low cost, especially in dust-intensive industries. Other goods, such as cartons, wood panels or metal sheets can also be handled, as long as they cover the vacuum cup completely.

The new bag grippers are a special version of the proven FIPA vacuum grippers. Integrated high-performance ejectors ensure optimum suction power. If the suction power of the ejectors is insufficient when handling extremely porous goods, a side channel blower can be used to generate a vacuum.

The design of the bag gripper ensures high resistance to contamination. The diameter of the suction channels is large enough to allow dust particles to pass through unhindered. This eliminates downtime due to clogging of the suction channels. The seal collar, which optimally adapts to the surface of the product, ensures absolute gripping reliability with the lowest possible suction air requirement. The simple exchange mechanism ensures that maintenance can be carried out quickly and cost-effectively. Compared to bag gripper solutions with mechanical fingers, less time is spent on adjustment and maintenance. Time-consuming lubrication of the mechanical gripper components is no longer necessary. It is also easier to adapt to different handling goods requirements.

Customised solutions can be realized in a cost-effective manner
Since no gripper task is quite like another, FIPA offers a range of options to customise the bag gripper. This means that the suction chambers can be split up for multi-positioning tasks or different handling goods requirements.

In a multi-positioning task, the robot-mounted gripper takes two packages from the conveyor and sets them down in different positions. At the same time, a vacuum is individually generated in each suction chamber by using valve technology. While one of the suction chambers is still holding the first package, the suction air for the second suction chamber is switched off and the product deposited. To optimally adjust the gripper to specific product requirements, the depth of the suction chamber can be customised. This achieves a secure grip while keeping the suction air consumption to a minimum.

FIPA bag grippers at a glance:

> Flexible vacuum generation: Integrated high-performance ejectors ensure optimum suction power. FIPA side channel blowers are available for handling highly porous products.
> High reliability: The contamination-resistant design reduces downtime due to dustintensive products.
> Low maintenance costs: The foam mat can be replaced quickly and easily.
> Customer-specific customisation: Many different handling solutions can be created by splitting the suction chambers and adjusting the chamber depth.
> Easy integration: The bag grippers are compatible with the FIPA modular system and can also be used with third-party systems.