Venturi vacuum pumps

Applications:
All intermittent gripping operations, i.e. which do not last for complete cycle of the machine.

Advantages:
. Consumption only when needed, results in low air consumption.
. Installation very close to the suction pads.
. Suction flow rate and vacuum level optimized to each individual requirement.

Venturi vacuum pump principle

Using the «venturi» effect :
A nozzle of diameter Ø is supplied with compressed air. The air jet carries along ambient air in its turbulence and then passes through the mixer on its way out.

This suction of ambient air creates the depression that generates the vacuum.

Unlike rotary vacuum pumps which must turn continuously, venturi vacuum pumps can operate discontinuously, only when the suction cups require vacuum.

Venturi vacuum pump ranges
Variations in nozzles and mixers provide an optimal range to respond to all needs.

. Nozzle diameter Ø
The diameter defines the force generated and thus the suction capacity: starting with a Ø of 0.5mm, for micro suction pads, to Ø = 3mm with a suction capacity of 400 Nl/mn for several large suction cups.

. Mixer profile
This profile defines the maximum level of vacuum attained by the venturi.

Two standard levels

• 60% for porous material (30 to 55% vacuum)

• 90% for airtight materials (55 to 80% vacuum)

Applications and practice

Venturi vacuum pumps are used for all normal vacuum gripping applications.
Compact and light, venturis may be installed close to the suction pads: no line power loss and a minimum volume to empty, resulting in short response times and minimum energy consumption.

The following pages distinguish between:

Simple, pneumatically-controlled venturi pumps, which are miniaturized for installation on suction pads.
Complete, electrically-controlled venturi pumps, for installation near to suction pads.