PIAB, a global leader in industrial vacuum technology, introduces what it describes as the packaging industry's most sophisticated plastic bag handling solution. By combining PIAB's powerful P6010 COAX vacuum pump with an air-saving cruise control (PCC) feature and a durable BL-3P suction cup, PIAB offers the first complete solution for a variety of plastic bag handling applications in the packaging industry.
Until now, bag handling with suction cups has been a very challenging task, resulting in regular errors and machine stoppages. PIAB's new plastic bag handling solution delivers higher process reliability by decreasing downtime that can result from dropped or damaged bags. Additionally, because of its unique design, users can handle a wider variety of bags to run with the same suction cup, thus decreasing changeover time.
"Variation and change in product lines are some of the greatest challenges for today's packaging companies and packaging machine builders," says Thomas Lindahl, PIAB Business Unit Manager, Packaging Segment. "PIAB's plastic bag handling solution meets the growing demand for a solution that is flexible enough to handle plastic bags of many shapes and sizes."
At the heart of PIAB's plastic bag solution is the P6010 vacuum pump. Based upon the company's patented COAX multi-stage ejector technology, the P6010 provides up to 40 percent more flow than conventional vacuum pumps, while still reducing overall energy consumption. In order to optimize performance for plastic bag handling, the P6010 is equipped with PIAB's air-saving cruise control option, which automatically maintains a pre-set level of vacuum to ensure a consistent and reliable vacuum level is provided at the suction point.
At its point of suction, the plastic bag solution features one of PIAB's new BL-3P suction cups, which are offered in three different sizes, 30, 40 and 50, depending upon application size requirements. The suction cup is made of DURAFLEX - a strong, durable and elastic material with excellent sealing capability and the sealing lip is a very soft and thin durometer, while the multiple bellows is a more rigid durometer. The unique characteristics of the BL-3P suction cup's design provides enough strength and stability for high initial flow applications, while still providing the softness and flexibility required to seal uneven surfaces.
With better sealing capabilities and stronger, more stable bellows, the BL-3P suction cups also allow applications to run at higher speeds. The larger inner neck diameter and specially designed high flow fitting allow the high initial flow needed for a secure grip. Also, the BL-3P suction cups help to increase flexibility, as they are more pliable and better able to handle plastic bags of a wide range of sizes and shapes.
