A system is disclosed for providing dynamic vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a first vacuum source for providing a first vacuum pressure with a first maximum air flow rate, and a second vacuum source for providing a second vacuum pressure with a second maximum air flow rate, wherein the second vacuum pressure is higher than the first vacuum pressure and wherein the second maximum air flow rate is greater than the first maximum air flow rate.

The present invention relates to an ejector assembly and a vacuum pump, the ejector assembly including a typical cylindrical vacuum ejector and a support part. The support part includes a first support having a supply line extending outwards from a hole in which a first end of the ejector is mounted, and a second support having a discharge line extending outwards from a hole in which a second end of the ejector is mounted. Further, the first and second supports facing each other are configured such that the outer circumferential surfaces thereof are in contact with the inner circumferential surface of a pipe member so as to form a space between the first and second supports, the space communicating with through holes. In the vacuum pump using the ejector assembly, the pipe member is a housing, and the space is a vacuum chamber formed in the housing.

A system is disclosed for providing high flow vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a high flow vacuum source that provides an opening with an area of high flow vacuum at the end effector such that objects may be engaged while permitting substantial flow of air through the opening, and a load detection system for characterizing the load presented by the object.

A system is disclosed for providing dynamic vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a first vacuum source for providing a first vacuum pressure with a first maximum air flow rate, and a second vacuum source for providing a second vacuum pressure with a second maximum air flow rate, wherein the second vacuum pressure is higher than the first vacuum pressure and wherein the second maximum air flow rate is greater than the first maximum air flow rate.

A system is disclosed for providing high flow vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a high flow vacuum source that provides an opening with an area of high flow vacuum at the end effector such that objects may be engaged while permitting substantial flow of air through the opening, and a load detection system for characterizing the load presented by the object.

A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which H vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

A vacuum unit having at least one vacuum generator extending along a main axis and comprising a base body, further having a silencer housing containing a silencer. An ejector unit extends in the base body and an ejector axis is oriented parallel to the main axis and a suction zone of the ejector unit communicates via a vacuum channel with a vacuum tapping opening, and an air exhaust channel of the ejector unit extends through the silencer housing and has a deflected course through 90 degrees in the silencer housing and opens out to the environment with an air exhaust opening. The vacuum tapping opening is formed on an end face of the silencer housing facing away from the base body in the main direction and wherein the air exhaust opening is also formed on the silencer housing with an orientation perpendicular to the main axis.

A kit is provided for a gripping apparatus. The gripping apparatus includes a body defining a chamber and an exhaust at a first end of the body. The gripping apparatus also includes an air conveyor positioned within the chamber. The air conveyor is configured to generate an air flow through an inlet and out through the exhaust. The kit includes a plurality of gripper heads each configured to be attached to a second end of the body opposite to the first end. Each gripper head defines a respective interchangeable nest that is different among the plurality of gripper heads. Each gripper head is configured to locate and releasably hold one of a plurality of components based on the air flow generated within the chamber and discharged through the exhaust.

A compressed-air-driven vacuum generation device, in particular for insertion into a housing of an area suction gripper, comprising a plurality of nozzle lines, each with at least one ejector nozzle for generating a vacuum from compressed air, at least one compressed-air connection for connection to a compressed-air supply, a valve device which is designed to individually open and/or close a particular flow connection between the nozzle lines and the at least one compressed-air connection.

Various example embodiments described herein relates, to an item manipulation system that can include a control system and an end effector. The end effector can include a tube defining a channel between a first end and a second end. The tube can include, a flexible suction cup that can be disposed within the channel of the tube. In some examples, the flexible suction cup can engage a surface of the item based on suction force generated through the flexible suction cup. The end effector also includes a linear actuator that can be mechanically coupled to the flexible suction cup. The end effector can be configured to: extend, the flexible suction cup towards the second end of the channel to position at least a portion of the flexible suction cup outside the tube and retract, the flexible suction cup within the channel to position the flexible suction cup within the tube.