Tag: Adjustable Vacuum Generator

E-Vac Generators, Cups and Accessories

Published on by EricKuhnash@EXAIR.comLeave a comment

When it comes to our E-Vac vacuum generators and creating a successful design for you application EXAIR has the fundamentals. EXAIR’s compressed air powered E-Vacs are designed primarily for pick and place operations but also have other uses such as evacuating liquids and gasses from containers and holding workpieces in place. E-Vacs come in different sizes including an Adjustable E-Vac in order to dial in your vacuum and vacuum flow. EXAIR E-Vac generators are engineered for high efficiency and minimizing air consumption.

In-Line E-Vac Generators are compact and easily mount at the point of use. They can held in place by screwing them directly to your rigid compressed air line or by using one of our mounting clips. There are 7 models used with porous materials, such as carboard, with vacuum levels up to 21″ Hg and vacuum flows up to 18.5 SCFM. There are also 7 models to choose from for non-porous materials, such as glass, with vacuum levels up to 27″Hg and vacuum flow up to 15.8 SCFM.

Adjustable E-Vacs (below) allow easy adjustment, simply loosen the locknut and turn the exhaust to increase or decrease the vacuum flow. There are 4 sizes with vacuum up to 25″Hg and vacuum flow up to 81 SCFM. They are Engineered for high efficiency and minimize compressed air usage by adjusting the vacuum level to the application.

EXAIR has four cup styles to match and accommodate just about any size shape and material. Let’s look at the cups available and their characteristics:

Round Cups come in small and large sizes and work well with smooth flat surfaces . The round cups hold up well with time and grip well to vertical surfaces. Round cups without cleats are more flexible and work well in applications that do not require lifting heavy loads. Round cups with cleats

Oval Cups provide the most vacuum due to having a larger surface area. Shape matters: this is especially true for oval cups which have a higher suction power compared to round cups. The are designed to handle heavy objects such as flat rigid sheet materials.

Bellow Cups have an accordion shape and designed for textured, uneven surfaces. The folds are called convolutions and provide a collapsible area allowing the cup to compress when it touches an uneven surface.

Once you have selected the style and quantity of vacuum cups you can review the EXAIR Accessories that will compliment your project. EXAIR offers a variety of mufflers, tubing, check valves, fittings that will make it easier to build your vacuum system.

If you have questions selecting what is right for your needs please contact me or any of our other Application Engineers to help answer your concerns. Visiting our website http://www.EXAIR.com and viewing our blogs, videos and product lines is easy and helpful but if you have questions please contact me Eric Kuhnash or any of our Application Engineers to help answer your concerns.

Eric Kuhnash
Application Engineer
E-mail: EricKuhnash@exair.com
Twitter: Twitter: @EXAIR_EK

High Vacuum (Non-porous) and Low Vacuum (Porous) E-Vacs: Vacuum Generator Overview

Published on by johnball2014Leave a comment

In-Line E-Vac

With the amount of energy in compressed air, EXAIR can manipulate it by design for a variety of applications. One way that we can do this is by creating a vacuum pressure by the Venturi effect. By increasing the velocity of air through a constricted area, a low pressure, or vacuum, is created. Unlike a mechanical vacuum pump, the E-Vac does not have any moving parts or motors to wear. This maintenance free device uses only compressed air to generate a powerful vacuum pressure in a very compact and lightweight design. They can create vacuum levels up to 27” Hg (91 kPa) where complete vacuum is at 29.92” Hg (101.4 kPa). With our single stage systems, we can generate different vacuum levels and flows to create the optimal vacuum generation for your application.

Have you ever placed your hand over the hose of a vacuum? You can feel the maximum amount of vacuum pressure on your hand. The maximum vacuum pressure value is only at the condition of zero air flow. When you remove your hand from the hose, you change the vacuum pressure to a much lower value, but now you have the maximum amount of air flow. Like the E-Vacs, EXAIR has designed the product to either give you the maximum vacuum pressure or the maximum vacuum air flow. EXAIR separates these two vacuum generators as High Vacuum and Low Vacuum.

The high vacuum style is designed for non-porous products like glass, marble, and steel sheets. The low vacuum style is for porous products like cardboard, fabric, and plywood. Both types of vacuum generators are commonly used to pick and place parts, open bags, evacuate molds, and vacuum forming. They are easily adjusted by a regulator and a solenoid valve making the E-Vac very versatile. Even with no moving parts, these vacuum generators are quick to respond with very long cycle rates. The inline design makes them easy to install, so, you can begin using this vacuum product without much setup time. With the single stage design, it eliminates any vacuum fluctuation. I will go through both types of E-Vacs to explain the advantages in using these kinds of vacuum generators for different applications.

The High Vacuum Generator is used for non-porous products in pick and place applications as well as vacuum forming, clamping, and evacuation. This type of generator can create a vacuum pressure up to 27” Hg (91 kPa). In conjunction with the EXAIR vacuum cups, it allows for maximum holding capacity for heavy materials. We offer 7 different sizes ranging from 2 SCFM (65 SLPM) to 31 SCFM (872 SLPM) at 80 PSIG (5.5 Bar). They can be matched to the size and quantity of vacuum cups for increased efficiency as well as for improved cycle rates. If the surface of a rigid sheet is smooth or the application requires a high vacuum pressure, the High Vacuum E-Vac Generator would be the best product to use.

The Low Vacuum Generator is used for porous products as well as more delicate surfaces. This generator has a maximum vacuum pressure of 21” Hg (71 kPa). The design is such to allow for maximum air flow to make up any losses through the material or sealing area. With a regulator, you can control the maximum vacuum level to eliminate dimpling or disfiguring of the surface. Even with fabrics and rough surfaces, the Low Vacuum Generator can still pick up and hold the material. We offer 7 different sizes ranging from 1.5 SCFM (42.5 SLPM) to 17 SCFM (476 SLPM) at 80 PSIG (5.5 Bar). They can also be matched to the size and quantity of vacuum cups as well as to overcome any leakage. If the surface of the product being moved is rough or the surface is very delicate, the Low Vacuum E-Vac Generator would be the best product to use.

EXAIR created a video to show the difference between the E-Vacs as well as a demonstration.

Click Video

For experimentation with the E-Vacs and the vacuum cups, EXAIR offers kits for both types of generators. The standard kit includes four pairs of vacuum cups (matched to the size of the E-Vac), 10 feet (3 m) of poly line, and an assortment of fittings. For the Deluxe kit, it will include the same items in the standard kit, plus an automatic drain filter and a regulator. The E-Vacs are made of a durable 6061 aluminum, but if a different material is required for your application, EXAIR can review this request.

The EXAIR E-Vac offers an efficient, simple, and maintenance free solution to create vacuum. Whether lifting product horizontally or vertically, opening bags, aligning sheets or leak checking, the E-Vac ensures a flexible and reliable way to continuously keep your operation moving. As compared to an electric vacuum pump, these vacuum generators are much smaller, less expensive and much quieter. If you need help in sizing and selecting the correct model, you can contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR.

John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb

Video Blog: Using an Adjustable E-Vac

Published on by Dave Woerner1 Comment

If you are not sure about which vacuum generator you need or if your application demands lifting a variety of materials, the Adjustable E-Vac is the right choice.  This video illustrates how to adjust our Adjustable Vacuum Generators and the flexibility it can contribute within your application.

Dave Woerner
Application Engineer
Davewoerner@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_DW