Vacuum Management Tool intelligently controls force.
Press Release Summary:
SmartPump® provides built-in intelligence for reliable vacuum control between cup and object under production. Product offers intelligent part present and automatic blow off as well as intuitive interface for control of vacuum cups. System produces required amount of vacuum force when needed, as not to subject parts to excessive force. SmartPump® requires one air, vacuum, and electrical connection for operation.Original Press Release:
SmartPump® from Norgren Delivers Vacuum Intelligence and Effiency in One Smart Package
Littleton, Colorado, USA - May 2003. In modern automated manufacturing environments the need to maintain reliable vacuum between the cup and object under production is paramount. Developed as a fully featured vacuum management tool, SmartPump® from Norgren offers the customer built in intelligence for highly reliable vacuum control. This is then combined with the efficient use of compressed air in a single robust compact package making SmartPump® the smart choice for modern assembly systems.
Designed for use in applications such as pick and place, packaging/handling, test and general assembly machines SmartPump® offers real benefits to various industries such as the electronics, packaging, printing, medical and automotive sectors. With features such as high vacuum flow, low air consumption, intuitive programming interface, intelligent part present and automatic blow off SmartPump® has been proven to make manufacturing systems faster, quieter, cleaner, more economical and smarter.
With on board intelligence the SmartPump® provides the user with an intuitive interface for the control of the vacuum cups. SmartPump® will generate vacuum and will maintain this preset level for as long as the user needs to hold the object. The SmartPump® system will only generate the vacuum it needs when it needs to. The intelligent part present facility will automatically switch off the compressed air flow once the preset levels have been achieved and will only switch back on if a system leakage is detected. With this facility the generation of compressed air is kept to a minimum thus SmartPump® will help the user cut operational costs.
Within traditional vacuum management systems the installation engineers will have to undertake a huge amount of complex integration. There will be the need for multiple system components such as valves, proximity switches silencers, vacuum gauges and excess piping. The SmartPump® only requires one air, vacuum and electrical connection thus installation is quick and will reduce overall system costs.
The automatic blow off facility ensures that cups do not remain attached to the object once the vacuum is released. SmartPump® will monitor the system for this problem and if vacuum starts to build up pressurized air will automatically be injected into the cup to destroy the vacuum. This ensures that expensive objects such as silicon wafers that can cost up to $20,000 are not handled incorrectly.
Company information
Norgren is one of the world's leading manufacturers of pneumatic components and automation systems. It is the principal member of the Fluid Controls group within the $2.4 billion IMI plc.
From plants in Europe, America and the Pacific, Norgren manufactures and distributes a wide range of pneumatic components including cylinders, valves, air line equipment, tube fittings and associated fluid power components for use in pneumatic and electro-pneumatic automation and control systems. Norgren's customers can also make use of its associated services including technical advice, training and complete systems engineering assistance.
In the US, Norgren has a unique network of almost 100 distribution outlets operated by independent distributors. All Norgren's US manufacturing sites have ISO9001 approval.
