Diaphragm Vacuum Pumps for Vacuum Grippers Ensure Absolute Precision of Robotic Arms
Automation systems use robotic arms for pick-and-place tasks. These robots rely on high-performance vacuum pumps in their vacuum grippers for fast and precise movements.
Manufacturers, intralogistics and warehouse operators around the globe are faced with labor shortages. This drives the need for automated systems with industrial robots. These robotic arms are used for repetitive, monotonous pick-and-place tasks in highly dynamic environments and require precise movements. Vacuum pumps in the robots’ vacuum grippers provide the necessary suction precision.
Industrial Robots Compensate Labor Shortages
According to the International Federation of Robotics, the use of industrial robots to address labor shortages is one of the five most important robotics trends worldwide in 2025. In 2024, more than 4 million units were operating in factories around the globe and annual installations exceeded half a million units for the third consecutive year. These automated systems play a central role in scalable intralogistics solutions as robotic arms take over repetitive manual tasks, including picking, positioning, and placing. This allows workers to focus on more complex tasks.
Automation Is Key. Robot Vacuum Grippers are the Reliable Solution.
Manufacturers and distributors rely on industrial robots for the automated handling of products and parcels. Robotic arms for pick-and-place tasks are ideal solutions for a wide range of applications. For example, they can be used to:
- pick-and-place products along conveyor belts
- sort bulk materials or position parts in assembly lines
- load and unload machines
- commission goods and distribute packages
- packing and palletizing in warehouse supermarkets
These applications are fast paced and require exact movements. For a safe and reliable operation, robotic arms use vacuum grippers as part of their end-of-arm tooling which grip objects by suction. They must provide precise, reliable and high-speed suction pressure as well as delicate surface handling. Diaphragm vacuum pumps are the ideal solution to power robotic vacuum grippers because they efficiently achieve and maintain the needed suction power in these highly dynamic environments. Micro gas pumps are mainly used as end-of-arm pumps for the vacuum grippers due to their size and weight efficiency. For decentral vacuum units that cover larger vacuum systems bigger pumps are placed at the bottom of the robot.
Vacuum Grippers Require Reliable and Strong Vacuum Pumps
The required vacuum in robotic vacuum grippers must be maintained even during fast movements to avoid unplanned ejection of the product. The various tasks cobots perform in automation processes are unique and require tailored pump solutions to meet the specific requirements for aspects like size and suction at the needed speed.
KNF pumps offer an ultimate vacuum range from 600 to 0.5 mbar (abs.) and reliably maintain the vacuum to achieve the required suction power even during fast movements. For example, the NMP 830.3 HP diaphragm pump achieves a maximum vacuum of 55 mbar (abs.) and maximum flow rate of 3.7 l/min which ensures a flexible and precise pressure control.
With its high performance-to-size efficiency and weight ratio, this pump is suitable for the challenging space requirements of robotic arms. Additionally, these pumps excel in delicate surface handling and, thanks to their contamination-free operation, are particularly suitable in hygienic environments.
Pump Optimization for Absolute Precision
Automated systems place specific requirements on their components, and optimization is vital for a perfect fit. It is essential to precisely match the required operating point of the application with the pump while ensuring that the pump is not unnecessarily large. This can be achieved by selecting the right motor and eccentric for the application. KNF’s modular system allows all parts to be tailored to these requirements. This includes various material, motor, and mechanical options as well as connection parts. The latter is a huge benefit when it comes to electrical and pneumatic connections because it eliminates the need for adapters, making the customers’ system simpler, smaller, lighter, and more reliable.
KNF also offers a variety of motor options to fit the application. Brushless direct current (BLDC) motors further enhance reliable operation and control in automation environments. MI motors, advanced BLDC motors, are used in pumps like the N 838 and withstand the high mechanical loads of fast-paced automation settings.
A standard pump like the N 838 achieves a flow rate of up to 34 l/min and a maximum vacuum of 100 mbar (abs.) is usually placed at the bottom of the robot. When the pump is used as end-of-arm tooling directly in the vacuum gripper, micro diaphragm vacuum pumps such as the NMP 850.3 HP are used as they offer a high performance-to-size ratio and low weight. They are designed with DC-BI (Direct Current Brushless Integrated) motors which add to their compactness and enhance their service life.
MI motors as well as DC-BI motors offer parameterization options that increase customizability to provide the necessary precision for unique pick-and-place tasks. Individual start and stop settings for the motor increase the performance and service life of the pump, which boosts productivity while saving time and money. Motor customization also ensures compatibility of the pump with venting solutions and lays the groundwork for seamless integration into higher-level control systems. With this extra level of control, vacuum pumps like the N 838, NMP 830.3 HP, and NMP 850.3 HP provide higher energy efficiency to the robotic arm ensuring reliable 24/7 operation.
