How to Choose the Best Vacuum Cup

DK Hardware -

Vacuum cups offer a simple and efficient way of lifting and transporting objects without damage. Multiple industries take advantage of vacuum technology. Choosing the right industrial vacuum suction cup is vital and can depend on various factors. Take a look at this article for a complete guide to selecting the most suitable vacuum suction cup for your business needs.

Not a Suction Cup

A vacuum cup is not a suction cup. While suction cups work by creating a seal by expelling air under the cup and creating a vacuum, creating a vacuum that helps it stick to an object. On the other hand, vacuum cups use pneumatic vacuum generators with venturis to create compressed air that produces the vacuum. The vacuum generator lowers the air pressure inside the cup, allowing the object to be lifted. When the object reaches the new position, the air supply is cut off, and the vacuum is released.

Material

Vacuum cup materials can be classified into two categories: porous and nonporous. Examples of porous materials include wood, cardboard, and Styrofoam. These materials typically require higher vacuum flow but do not necessarily require high-level vacuum generation to be lifted. On the other hand, nonporous materials like aluminum, steel, and hard plastic can be easily lifted with a lower vacuum flow.

Objects can be categorized into two surface types: oily or dry. While most objects have a dry surface, some materials may have a fine oil layer on the surface. For instance, sheet metal treated with rust inhibitors before stamping may leave an oily sheen.

The selection of a cup depends on the contour of the material being handled, whether it is flat or has curved or rounded edges. There might be scenarios where an object has too many curves or undulations, in which case a vacuum cup may not be suitable. Additionally, materials with many closely spaced holes may not be compatible with vacuum cups.

Style

In the past, users have chosen from two vacuum cup shapes: round or oval. While round cups represent the default style, oval cups are more suitable for holding thin rails around car-door windows. Also, bell-shaped vacuum cups have gained popularity due to their design advantages. They have an internal tread pattern that allows them to adhere easily to convex or concave surfaces and withstand high shear forces.

There are two main designs for vacuum cups: flat and bellows-style. The bellows-style vacuum cup is flexible and can quickly grasp irregularly shaped objects or those not aligned with the cup. However, a higher vacuum flow is required to remove the larger air volume inside the cup. In contrast, flat vacuum cups require a smaller amount of air to be removed but are not as flexible as bellows-style cups.

Cup Hardness

Cup hardness is another crucial factor in deciding the right vacuum cup for the job. The hardness of a material, such as polymers, elastomers, and rubbers, can be measured by a durometer. Vacuum cup suppliers usually prefer the Shore A hardness scale to test the hardness of flexible molded rubbers. This scale measures the range of hardness from very soft and flexible to hard with almost no flexibility, with higher numbers indicating harder materials.

Here are some cup scale numbers and what they mean:

  1. 30 – The cup is soft, making it ideal for contoured panels. However, a cup with this measurement exhibits a shorter lifecycle than a more rigid cup.
  2. 45 - A medium-hard rubber cup that effectively and efficiently seals and adapts to most contours, making it perfect for all-around usage. Such a cup lasts longer than a 30-durometer cup.
  3. 30 – This is the hardest durometer measure and a cup with this measure is effective for extremely oily, flat surfaces. It has the best operational service life among the three cups we have discussed.

DK Hardware is a renowned importer and provider of vacuum cups. Our vacuum cups are crafted to perfection, are easy to use, and deliver remarkable results. Here are some of the best options available at DK Hardware:

  1. CRL Medium Suction Cups with Studs and Knurled Nuts - ASC134N
  2. CRL Wood's Powr-Grip 9" Vacuum Cup : W5450
  3. CRL Wood's Powr-Grip ABS Handle Vacuum Cup : W4000
  4. CRL Wood's Powr-Grip Curved Glass Vacuum Cup : W6450
  5. CRL Double Cup Vacuum Lifter : VC6541
  6. CRL Single Cup Vacuum Lifters with Release Trigger : VC1912
  7. CRL Heavy-Duty Double Vacuum Cup : 550

DK Hardware features a wide range of vacuum cups for your various residential and commercial requirements. Click on any link on this blog to be redirected to some of the best options.

For any specific questions, feel free to reach out to us!

For quotation contact via email: sales@dkhardware.com or

Toll-Free: 877-509-8040