One key advantage lies in the variety of materials: from HighTemp HT to food-grade silicone and natural rubber all the way to Perbunan (NBR) and Vulkollan, there is a suitable solution for every application. This allows Sommer-Technik to meet a wide range of requirements — from high temperatures to sensitive or textured surfaces.

The system also offers utmost flexibility in terms of structural forms: in addition to conventional suction cups, oval versions and bellows designs with 1.5 or 2.5 folds are also available. This allows the handling to be optimally adapted to the geometry, surface and dynamics of the workpiece.

It is complemented by versatile adapter solutions: models with internal or external threads and variants with an integrated vacuum generator enable a flexible, space-saving integration into existing systems. Especially the version with a vacuum generator provides a decentralized vacuum generation directly at the suction cup — a benefit with fast cycle times and high process reliability requirements.

A typical example is the SGN30 suction cup. It is available in oil-resistant Perbunan (NBR, black) and in food-grade silicone, which can withstand temperatures up to 200 °C and is particularly suitable for sensitive or temperature-critical applications (art no. SGS30). When combined with the SAD18 adapter (without vacuum sensor) or the SVD18 (with integrated vacuum sensor), the result is a high-performance, yet easy-to-install solution: the suction cup is simply snapped onto the adapter and securely fastened. This well-designed construction reduces both the installation effort and the maintenance times while ensuring a durable, robust connection.

Sommer-Technik

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In modern manufacturing, safety is a core design requirement. As more processes become automated and rely on vacuum, the way vacuum systems are engineered has a direct impact on the safety of people, products, and assets. Piab’s approach places safety at the center, combining smart design, robust hardware, and intelligent control to minimize risk.

Engineering safety into everything: Safety starts with how each vacuum component is built. Vacuum pumps, suction cups, and grippers should be designed to maintain performance even in challenging environments, which reduces accidents caused by suction loss, unexpected drops, or equipment failures.

Redundant sealing surfaces, wear-resistant materials, and geometries ensure that suction cups retain their grip across many surfaces, from smooth glass to porous packaging. When a vacuum system holds reliably, operators are less exposed to falling loads, erratic robot movements, and unplanned intervention.

Protecting people around robots and cobots: As robots and cobots become common, the interface between human and machine must be especially safe. Vacuum gripping solutions on robotic arms for picking, placing, and palletizing ensure precise control and predictable behavior.

Controlled release of vacuum helps ensure that parts are not dropped or flung when the robot changes speed or direction. Vacuum levels can be tuned to match the weight and fragility of the product, reducing the chance of breakage or flying debris. When used with collaborative robots, soft and compliant suction cups add a layer of passive safety: they are more forgiving than rigid mechanical grippers if contact with a human occurs.

Built-in safety and monitoring:ÌýModern vacuum systems increasingly rely on smart monitoring and control to maintain safe operation. By measuring vacuum levels, flow, and response times, advanced technology can detect developing problems early, such as a blocked filter, leaking line, or damaged cup.

When thresholds are breached, for example, Piab’s Smart system can trigger alarms, slow down the process, or stop it altogether, preventing small issues from escalating into dangerous situations. Integrated non-return valves and vacuum reservoirs maintain grip briefly even if air supply fails, giving controllers time to react and bring the system to a safe state.

In more advanced setups, predictive diagnostics can schedule maintenance before performance drops below safe levels. This reduces both unplanned downtime and the temptation to “keep running just a bit longer� with equipment that is no longer operating safely.

Product and contamination safety:ÌýSafety is not only about people; it is also about protecting the product and the process. In industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, contamination or product damage can represent a significant safety and quality risk. Piab’s vacuum solutions support hygienic and contamination-aware design using appropriate materials, smooth surfaces, and components that are easy to clean and inspect.

Carefully controlled gripping forces help avoid crushing or deforming packages, which could otherwise lead to leaks, spills, or exposure to sensitive contents. For clean environments, low-dust and low-particle designs, and oil-free vacuum generation minimizes airborne contamination.

Compliance and risk reduction across the line:ÌýEvery production line faces a unique combination of safety regulations, standards, and internal policies. By working with modular, well-engineered vacuum components, machine builders and end users can more easily design systems that comply with relevant safety standards. Documented performance data, standardized interfaces, and clear guidance on installation and maintenance make it easier to perform risk assessments and implement appropriate safeguards.

Vacuum technology also plays a role in minimizing energy consumption and noise, both of which impact long-term operator health. Efficient vacuum pumps, optimized flow control, and smart energy-saving functions reduce the load on compressed air networks and help maintain a safer, more comfortable working environment.

A safety-first philosophy:ÌýSafety with vacuum technology is as much about philosophy as it is about hardware. By treating safety as a design input from the beginning — rather than a box to check at the end — vacuum systems become inherently safer, more predictable, and easier to maintain.

Piab

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Both regulators incorporate a fixed –15 psig bias spring to maintain vacuum outputs up to 29-in. Hg, combined with an adjustable opposing range spring that provides controlled positive pressure outputs up to 150 psig. The use of aspirator technology enhances output stability by minimizing pressure droop and compensating for flow variations, ensuring consistent performance in dynamic operating conditions.

Designed for demanding industrial environments, the Type 750V and 7500V provide reliable performance across a wide range of applications including industrial automation, material handling, leak testing, chemical processing, packaging, and laboratory instrumentation.

The Type 750V vacuum regulator is optimized for standard flow applications, offering high sensitivity down to ½ in. of water column and stable operation under fluctuating flow conditions. Its compact design supports online maintenance without removal from the airline, reducing downtime and simplifying service.

The Type 7500V vacuum regulator is engineered for high-flow systems, featuring an isolated output pressure control chamber to minimize vibration effects and soft-valve technology to reduce air consumption and prevent vacuum droop. This model delivers significantly higher flow capacity, making it ideal for high-demand environments requiring precise control at elevated flow rates.

Both models offer vacuum capability up to 29 in. Hg and adjustable positive pressure ranges from 0–2 psi up to 0–150 psi (0–0.15 bar to 0–10 bar). They operate within a temperature range of –40° to 200°F (–40° to 93.3°C) and include a variety of standard options such as stainless steel components, tamper-proof covers, and ATEX certification. Multiple port sizes and mounting configurations—including pipe, panel, and bracket mounting—ensure flexibility for diverse system requirements.

ControlAir LLC

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