How to Choose A Vacuum Generator for Your Application

Published on by

EXAIR’s compressed air powered E-Vac single stage vacuum generators are a low cost way create vacuum for many operations including- pick and place, clamping, chucking, alignment, lifting, and many others.

The E-Vac provide instantaneous response and are commonly used for pick and place operations.

EXAIR offers the In-Line and Adjustable style of E-Vacs. Both are compact and easy to mount at point of use. With 18 total models available, there is sure to be one that meets any application.

Industrial Robot
An E-Vac in Robotic Lift Operation

How to Build An E-Vac System:

Step 1 – Select E-Vac type:

A – Determine if the part to be lifted is porous (Example, cardboard) or non-porous (Example, plastic sheet)

  • Porous materials require a low vacuum generator which produces a lower vacuum in exchange for higher vacuum flow which is capable of maintaining a good vacuum level through material that aloows air to flow through itself.
  • Non-Porous materials are best suited to use the high vacuum generator which is capable of producing more powerful vacuum for the application.

B – Select a style of E-Vac – In-Line Low Vacuum, In-Line High Vacuum, or Adjustable

  • Porous – low vacuum generator, max vacuum = 21″ Hg (71 kPa)
  • Non-Porous – high vacuum generator, max vacuum = 27″ Hg (91 kPa)
  • Adjustable – max vacuum = 25″ Hg (85 kPa)

Step 2 – Find the weight of the part to be lifted:

Step 3 – Multiply the weight by a vacuum cup safety factor (2 for a horizontal vacuum cup position, and 4 for a sideways vacuum cup position)

Step 4 – Determine the number of cups needed, considering the following:

A – How many cups are needed to evenly distribute the weight for stable lifting and placement.

B – What is the weight that each vacuum cup can lift based on maximum vacuum available?

C – Select the appropriate vacuum cup from the different styles available.

Step 5 – Choose the E-Vac model, considering the entire vacuum system from the E-vac to the part:

A – Number of vacuum cups per E-Vac.

B – Length and size of the vacuum tubing.

C – Vacuum cup size and type.

  • The volume of air to evacuate from your vacuum system and the vacuum flow of the E-Vac selected will determine the time it takes to build the lifting vacuum level.
  • A lower volume of air in the system and/or higher capacity (SCFM/SLPM) E-Vac will result in faster pick-up times.
  • It is difficult to calculate an exact pick-up time.

Example – Sheet of material 3′ x 3′ (0.91m x 0.91 m) that weighs 25 lbs. (11.3 kg). Each sheet is in stack and will be placed on a conveyor.E-Vac Example

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when building an E-Vac system. Feel free to contact us and we can help go through the steps.

If you have questions about E-Vacs or any of the 15 different EXAIR Intelligent Compressed Air® Product lines, feel free to contact EXAIR and myself or any of our Application Engineers can help you determine the best solution.

Brian Bergmann
Application Engineer
Send me an email
Find us on the Web 
Like us on Facebook
Twitter: @EXAIR_BB

Leave a Reply