Piab Inc  

100 Energy Drive
Canton,  MA  02021

United States
781-337-7309

• Booth: W4665

 Press Releases

• piCOBOT® Electric breaks the barriers of cobot arm movement (Jul 23, 2024)

  Fully electric, slim design and absence of air-tubing and cabling. The new piCOBOT® Electric heads towards another success for Piab's piCOBOT® program. "This is the most versatile and energy efficient electric pump unit on the market for cobot applications", says Madeleine Sheikh, Global Product Manager at Piab Group. 

  It is an established fact that the piCOBOT® program has been a success ever since its original introduction in 2017. The groundbreaking first piCOBOT® model was in 2022 accompanied by the larger, even more powerful, piCOBOT® L model.

  "Both air-driven models undoubtedly represent the top segment of that part of the cobot applications market. They are efficient, reliable and exceedingly versatile, especially combined with all their clever accessories”, says Madeleine Sheik, Global Product Manager at Piab Group. 

  Electricity instead of compressed air 

  As part of the company's ever-evolving product development, Piab's engineers last year focused on a version that would perform on the same level as its sibling piCOBOT®, but without the need for compressed air. 

  "We receive a lot of requests from companies that want to use cobots in work areas where no compressed-air infrastructure is present. Our new piCOBOT® Electric hits that target perfectly”, says Madeleine Sheikh. 

  But the developments do not end with electrification. During the pre-study, Madeleine and the R&D team compiled an agenda containing a number of tough prerequisites.  

  "First of all, it had to be small. Despite its advanced electric drive, we wanted direct mounting on the cobot arm. Secondly, it had to be energy efficient. The electric current provided by the cobot itself should be sufficient. And, yeah, we solved that", Madeleine Sheikh continues. 

  Free cobot arm movement 

  A secondary effect of these achievements is the absence of entangling air tubing and cabling. It simplifies the installation, and as the new piCOBOT® Electric only needs a single connection on the cobot arm, the clean set-up allows a completely unrestricted movement. 

  "With that last barrier eliminated, I'd say this is the most versatile and energy efficient electric pump unit on the market for cobot applications", Madeleine Sheikh concludes. 

  The new piCOBOT® Electric package will contain plug & play software to fit UR e-series cobots, but many other useful adaptations will be introduced the coming year. Follow the developments on piab.com. 

  About Piab 

  Piab is evolving automation through progressive gripping, lifting, and moving solutions. Since 1951, Piab has been serving industries like e-commerce logistics, food, pharma, automotive, and more, improving energy-efficiency, productivity, and work environments. With a presence in more than 100 countries, Piab is a global organization dedicated to developing automation solutions that enhance the efficiency and quality of production processes. 

• piSAFE® - now even safer (Jul 23, 2024)

  piSAFE® has for some years been a highly appreciated member of Piab's assortment of products with elevated safety functions. As the reliable vacuum pump is now upgraded, the safety focus remains. However, versatility and sustainability have been added to the mix as new healthy prerequisites.

  Since its introduction in 2021, piSAFE® has clearly been the vacuum ejector of choice where an exceptionally high level of gripping safety is necessary for a stable manufacturing process. The key feature being the vacuum safety valve which maintains the vacuum level in the COAX® based pump at all times.

  "The pump qualities aside, the vacuum safety valve is the real heart inside this compact body", says Anders Falk, Automotive Product Manager at Piab Vacuum Automation Division. "The mission is clear; maintain a firm grip on the lifted object, whether the compressed air supply is on or off, and regardless of the switching being deliberate or a system failure. piSAFE® is adamant!"

  This quality has made piSAFE® especially appreciated in demanding automotive applications such as glass and body assembly, where a dropped part would have severe consequences.

  As the offered safety level was already satisfactory, other prerequisites were added to the list when piSAFE® went for its recent 2.0 tour through Piab's R&D department.

  "The new piSAFE® program is more versatile than its predecessors in many ways”, Anders Falk continues. "The VSV variant, for instance, uses only one feed for both vacuum feed and release function, which makes it compatible with many centralized vacuum systems, our piCOMPACT® platform being one. piSAFE® is also more sustainable in the sense that it now can carry a silencer that supports a noise-free work environment.”

  The piSAFE® concept is now divided into four fully configurable products, to enable the customer to freely choose a suitable level of functionality:

  piSAFE® - fully equipped pump unit with safety functions.

  piSAFE® Vacuum Safety Valve (VSV) - same safety functionality, to be used with external vacuum pump.

  piSAFE® Vacuum Safety Valve MINI (VSV MINI) - safety functions in a minimized format

  piSAFE® Mounting bracket – Versatile bracket to be used with piSAFE® products, other systems like our piSTAMP®, or just to be used as suction cup holder for external vaccum sources.

  Consequently, the configurator has been updated accordingly with one product card for each of the four products. Apart from the product split, the new version of piSAFE® has undergone the following improvements:

  VSV - Common feed using atmospheric quick release (AQR NC) which means one hose for both feed and release, instead of one for each. Supports increased compatibility, easier installation and less maintenance.

  Silencer now optional for a healthier work environment. Protects the hearing of staff involved in the every-day process.

  New attachments available - 32 mm ball joint, 16 mm lock pin and a special level compensator. The latter possible to configure as fit-to-purpose.

  “I am happy to introduce all these updates to our automotive customers. With these improvements it's fair to say that piSAFE® is among the safest and most versatile pump products on the market in this segment”, concludes Anders Falk.

  About Piab 

  Piab is evolving automation through progressive gripping, lifting, and moving solutions. Since 1951, Piab has been serving industries like e-commerce logistics, food, pharma, automotive, and more, improving energy-efficiency, productivity, and work environments. With a presence in more than 100 countries, Piab is a global organization dedicated to developing automation solutions that enhance the efficiency and quality of production processes. 

• Piab launches high-friction suction cups to improve speed in manufacturing processes (Jul 23, 2024)

  To help automotive and white goods manufacturers improve production speed and eliminate bottlenecks, Piab is launching its DURAFLEX® Friction Cups, a new line of suction cups providing the ultimate grip on oily and wet surfaces. The cups’ special grip pattern enables operators to safely and reliably move slippery metal goods without slowing production lines. This latest offering from Piab (www.Piab.com), the leading innovator in industrial vacuum technology, allows manufacturers to reduce product droppage and lower scrap rates.

  Piab’s DURAFLEX® Friction Cups feature a rough cleat surface and sharp cleat edges and channels. This design creates greater friction and a stronger hold compared to traditional traction suction cups. Normal cup abrasion resulting from handling oily sheets does not degrade the shear force performance of Piab’s friction cups over time. The added durability of the cups extends use life for long-term reliability.

  Piab’s DURAFLEX® Friction Cups maintain their hold on heavy and slippery sheets during accelerations and de-accelerations, especially in the instance of emergency stoppages. All parts are maintained in the proper position to facilitate applications such as stamping, reducing scrapped products and improving overall line sustainability. Made of DURAFLEX® polyurethane, Piab’s Friction Cups will not break or crack after exposure to ultraviolet light, heat or ozone, which is an issue with cups comprised of rubber compounds.

  To prevent damage to the surface of thin metal sheets common in automotive and large appliance applications, Piab’s DURAFLEX® Friction Cups feature a dual-hardness design and soft cup body. Lower vacuum force is needed to seal the cups to part surfaces for gentler handling. The soft lip of Piab’s friction cups also molds easily to curved surfaces for less vacuum leakage and stronger grip.

  The cups also maintain their elastic memory and original shape for an expanded life cycle. Installing fewer cup replacements results in costs savings and reduction in waste, helping manufacturers meet their sustainability goals. Additionally, the durability and effectiveness of Piab’s friction cups enable manufacturers to use fewer cups if production speeds allow.

  Manufacturers can choose from several models of Piab DURAFLEX® Friction Cups. The BFF model is ideal for handling concave and convex surfaces while the FCF model offers increased stability for handling larger metal sheets. For products with narrow surfaces, Piab also offers its friction cups in an oval shape. The cups operate between temperatures of 50º to 122º F.

  “Our customers are operating in a volatile economy where increasing productivity is essential for success,” said Peter Tell, Chief Technical Officer, Piab. “Today’s manufacturers must not only accelerate the production of quality goods, they must also reduce expenses while exercising environmental awareness. At Piab, we are dedicated to continually developing smart-engineered technology to help companies stay ahead of the curve.”

  About Piab 

  Piab is evolving automation through progressive gripping, lifting, and moving solutions. Since 1951, Piab has been serving industries like e-commerce logistics, food, pharma, automotive, and more, improving energy-efficiency, productivity, and work environments. With a presence in more than 100 countries, Piab is a global organization dedicated to developing automation solutions that enhance the efficiency and quality of production processes. 

• Piab revolutionizes vacuum system configuration with OVM Pro 3D tool (Jul 23, 2024)

  Piab has launched its highly anticipated OVM Pro 3D, a cutting-edge on-line tool designed to transform the way vacuum systems are configured, simulated and optimized. "OVM Pro 3D represents a major leap forward for the design of vacuum systems”, says Josef Karbassi, Acting President of the Vacuum Automation Division.

  Ever since Piab assumed its leading position within vacuum automation engineering, the company has sought ways to simplify the system design process for all worldwide customers.

  “In short, we wanted to make configuration and optimization of vacuum-driven systems available to just anybody interested in conforming their processes in that direction”, says Johnny Skagersjö, Senior Application Engineer of the Vacuum Automation Division.

  After more than two years of development, Johnny Skagersjö and his team can now proudly present the solution. OVM Pro 3D, which stands for "Optimal Vacuum Management Professional," leverages advanced 3D modelling and simulation to streamline the system design process on-line, offering a range of benefits from control and efficiency to significant cost savings.

  "OVM Pro 3D represents a major leap forward in DIY configuration and optimization of vacuum systems. Our focus on user experience and detailed performance data aims to make the process more intuitive and error-free”, says Josef Karbassi, Acting President of the Vacuum Automation Division.

  Open online format

  The OVM Pro 3D software will be provided in an open format on piab.com and packed with features aimed at improving user experience and enabling detailed performance insights. Some of the standout features include:

  Complete design: After login, the design process takes off from the user’s enterprise and process needs, offering full integration of Piab’s extensive range of vacuum ejector pumps, suction cups, grippers, fittings and accessories.

  Text and symbols guidance: Detailed guidance is provided throughout the design process, including descriptions and technical data such as actual compressed-air ranges for selected ejectors and optimal pressures.

  Lifting force graph: This feature displays total horizontal and vertical forces throughout the entire cycle, with separate performance data for suction cups, highlighting the lowest and highest values.

  Energy and power consumption visualization: The application visualizes compressor power usage, helping users understand and dimension the size and capacity of the compressor needed. Estimated daily (8-hour shift) compressor electricity power consumption is also displayed to support energy cost discussions.

  Performance data positioning: Performance data conveniently placed on the left side with a scroll function. Hovering over the data zooms in on the specific product and dims excluded components, facilitating a clearer view of performance data such as time to reach set vacuum level in that node.

  Tube length management: Users can directly edit tube lengths, which are marked with a "Z" and locked to maintain their length even if components are moved.

  Clear supportive graphs: The graph feature includes a zoom function for better observation during crucial time frames, and a visual checklist ensures all steps are completed before calculations.

  “All of these features make it possible to design a top-performing vacuum system even without previous experience in such matters”, Josef Karbassi continues.

  Applications that make a difference

  One of the most notable functions is the application for corrugated cardboard. This feature includes a step-by-step wizard to define the cardboard used in the corrugated carton box, mimicking real-life leakage parameters and vacuum level tests.

  Users can fine-tune the carton sealing quality with a sliding bar, ensuring precise dimensioning of the vacuum system for carton boxes.

  Looking Ahead

  Piab continues to innovate and develop, with plans to include more functionalities in future updates.

  “For those eager to experience the future of vacuum system configuration, OVM Pro 3D is now available, promising a more efficient, accurate, and customizable approach to vacuum handling. However we will not rest. The work will continue, aiming to eliminate any obstacle that customers may experience when they enter processes like these”, concludes Josef Karbassi.

  OVM Pro 3D is available on piab.com. News and updates will be announced and published on a regular basis.

  About Piab 

  Piab is evolving automation through progressive gripping, lifting, and moving solutions. Since 1951, Piab has been serving industries like e-commerce logistics, food, pharma, automotive, and more, improving energy-efficiency, productivity, and work environments. With a presence in more than 100 countries, Piab is a global organization dedicated to developing automation solutions that enhance the efficiency and quality of production processes. 

• Four useful additions to Piab’s Automotive suction cups (Jul 23, 2024)

  Four new cups are now added to the Automotive suction cup series. The new cups extend the PAF (Piab Automotive Flat) and PAB (Piab Automotive Bellow) families with two new sizes each - Ø100mm and Ø125mm. 

  The automotive suction cups support industry standards as to dimensions and interfaces and simplify deployment and installation. However, these suction cups are just as useful for applications outside the automotive sector. And now even more so thanks to our new 100 mm and 125 mm cups. 
  
  Both the new and previous assortment are made of 60 shore (A) silicone free Nitrile-PVC creating a durable hence cost-effective product. The automotive suction cups have friction cleats to withstand shear forces during operation. All models come with a molded-in aluminum insert, to enable either dedicated fitting solutions or any Piab equivalent including our quick-connect system T-slot. The automotive suction cups are designed to operate even at low vacuum levels to guarantee a safe “vacuum reserve” for any lift.

  PAB – Piab Automotive Bellows (7 different sizes, diam. 30-125 mm):

  • Developed for thin metal sheets in automotive applications
    With bellows that give a smooth grip
  • Compensates for minor deviations in connection angles and height differences, both on the object and the grip area
  • Suitable for flat and uneven/curved surfaces
  • Handles both dry and oily surfaces
  • Withstand shear forces

  PAF – Piab Automotive Flat (7 different sizes, diam. 30-125 mm):

  • Flat without bellows
  • Designed for flat even surfaces, e.g. thin metal sheets in automotive applications
  • Suitable for high-speed applications due to rapid evacuation and firm design that can withstand accelerations and forces from fast automated handling movements.
  • Designed to handle both dry and oily surfaces
  • Extra resistant to high shear forces

  Main Applications

  • Designed to handle thin metal sheets, dry as well as oily, in automotive applications
  • Suitable for operations within different industrial sectors, e.g. white goods, final assembly, aerospace, wood industry and many more.

  About Piab 

  Piab is evolving automation through progressive gripping, lifting, and moving solutions. Since 1951, Piab has been serving industries like e-commerce logistics, food, pharma, automotive, and more, improving energy-efficiency, productivity, and work environments. With a presence in more than 100 countries, Piab is a global organization dedicated to developing automation solutions that enhance the efficiency and quality of production processes. 

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