Vacuum technology

Vacuum gripping technology

Festo vacuum gripping technology covers bellows suction cups of the ESS series in diameters from 10 to 100 mm. The range is available in flat (SF/SN/SS/SU), deep (BN/BS/BU), elliptical (EF/EN/ES/EU), and GT geometries for smooth gripping surfaces. Materials include NBR, silicone, and PUR, extending the programme to food technology, electronics manufacturing, and metal handling applications. Cups with 1 to 3 bellows are available for varying height compensation requirements.

In addition to the standard geometries, the ESS-GT line offers large-area suction cups with M10 and G1/4 direct connections for heavier workpieces. Cups up to ESS-100 are matched to all ESH suction cup holders and can be replaced without tools.

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Suction Cup ESS-10-CN - Festo 189398
€19.34
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Vacuum Suction Cup ESV-20-CN - Festo 191071
€18.17
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Suction Cup VASB-30-1/8-NBR - Festo 35412
€16.31
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Suction Cup ESS-50-BT-G1/4 - Festo 525996
€37.47
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Suction Cup VASB-15-1/8-NBR - Festo 35411
€11.45
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Suction Cup ESS-50-BN - Festo 189390
€21.13
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Vacuum Suction Cup ESV-60-GT - Festo 526003
€20.61
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Vacuum Suction Cup ESV-30-CS - Festo 191074
€21.62
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Suction Cup ESS-6-SF - Festo 189277
€19.34
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Vacuum Suction Cup ESV-30-CN - Festo 191073
€19.81
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Suction Cup ESS-10-SF - Festo 189287
€23.94
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Suction Cup VASB-75-1/4-PUR-B - Festo 1396064
€25.71
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Suction Cup VASB-55-1/4-NBR - Festo 35414
€25.16
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Suction Cup ESS-50-SS - Festo 189311
€17.02
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Suction Cup VASB-40-1/4-SI-B - Festo 1372910
€16.15
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Suction Cup VAS-75-1/4-PUR-B - Festo 1396096
€16.07
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Suction Cup ESS-15X45-ON - Festo 189415
€29.55
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Suction Cup ESS-50-CN - Festo 189406
€34.01
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Suction Cup ESS-30-EN - Festo 189342
€11.89
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Suction Cup ESS-10-BS - Festo 189376
€11.57
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Suction Cup ESS-50-BT-G1/4-I - Festo 525995
€37.47
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Suction Cup ESS-20-BN - Festo 189378
€10.51
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Suction Cup ESS-30-SU - Festo 189300
€11.05
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Vacuum Suction Cup ESV-30-EU - Festo 191028
€11.89

Buying guide

How to choose Vacuum gripping technology

What matters when choosing: properties, comparison and typical applications.

Technical features of ESS bellows cups

◯ Diameters 10-100 mm - standard sizes 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100 mm

⚙ Geometries SF, BN, EF, GT - flat for smooth surfaces, deep for curved, elliptical for delicate parts

✓ Materials NBR, silicone, PUR - NBR for oil and metal, silicone for food, PUR for rough surfaces

⛤ 1-3 bellows per model - more bellows allow greater compensation for workpiece height tolerances

📦 GT variants with M10/G1/4 port - for higher suction force and direct mounting without holder

✨ Oval cups ESS-10X30-ON - for narrow workpieces and restricted installation space

ESS series overview

Design	Geometry	Typical material	Feature
ESS-xx-SN/SS/SU/SF	Flat, 1 bellows	NBR, silicone, PUR	Low height, smooth workpieces
ESS-xx-BN/BS/BU	Deep, 1-2 bellows	NBR, silicone, PUR	Compensation for height tolerances
ESS-xx-EN/ES/EU/EF	Elliptical	NBR, silicone, PUR	Gentle handling of delicate parts
ESS-xx-GT	Flat, large area	Silicone	G1/4 or M10 direct port, high suction force
ESS-10X30-ON	Oval	NBR	Narrow gripping zone, limited space

Typical applications

Typical applications: Pick-and-place in SMD assembly and PCB handling, handling of film cut-outs and glass panes in packaging and glass industries, gripping of body panels and sheet metal blanks in automotive production, and handling of pharmaceutical packaging and food containers in hygienic processes (silicone variants).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Vacuum gripping technology

What is Festo vacuum gripping technology and which industries use these pneumatic handling systems?

Festo vacuum gripping technology encompasses pneumatic vacuum generators, vacuum suction cups, and Bernoulli grippers designed for automated material handling in industrial production lines. These systems create controlled vacuum pressure to securely grip and transport workpieces without mechanical clamping, making them essential for automotive assembly lines, electronics manufacturing, packaging operations, and glass handling applications. The technology includes vacuum suction cups like the ESS-200-SF series for direct contact gripping and contactless Bernoulli grippers such as the OGGB-140-G18-2-Q for handling delicate surfaces without physical contact.

What are the key technical selection criteria for vacuum gripping systems with specific pressure and diameter specifications?

Vacuum gripping system selection depends on workpiece weight, surface porosity, required holding force, and cycle time requirements, with suction cup diameter directly correlating to gripping capacity. The Festo ESS series offers diameters from 100mm to 200mm, with the ESS-200-SF providing maximum gripping force for heavy components while the ESS-100-EF handles lighter workpieces efficiently. Bernoulli grippers like the OGGB series range from 60mm to 140mm diameter and operate at higher air consumption rates but eliminate surface contact, making them ideal for polished metals, silicon wafers, or painted surfaces where scratching must be avoided.

Which international standards and certifications apply to industrial vacuum gripping technology?

Industrial vacuum gripping systems must comply with ISO 4414 for pneumatic fluid power safety requirements, EN ISO 13849 for machinery safety control systems, and DIN EN 61508 for functional safety of electrical and electronic programmable systems. Festo vacuum components meet CE marking requirements under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and are designed according to ISO 9001 quality standards for consistent performance in automated production environments. Systems handling food products or operating in potentially explosive atmospheres require additional ATEX certification under Directive 2014/34/EU for safe operation in classified hazardous areas.

What are the differences between Festo ESS vacuum suction cups and OGGB Bernoulli grippers?

Festo ESS vacuum suction cups create direct physical contact with workpieces using flexible sealing lips and operate at standard vacuum pressures of -0.7 to -0.9 bar, while OGGB Bernoulli grippers use the Coandă effect to generate contactless gripping forces through high-velocity air flow without touching the workpiece surface. The ESS series includes variants with different sealing compounds where SF indicates standard nitrile, SS represents silicone-free materials, and SU designates polyurethane construction for specific chemical compatibility requirements. Bernoulli grippers consume significantly more compressed air at 6 bar operating pressure but eliminate contamination risks and surface damage, making them superior for semiconductor wafers, optical components, or freshly painted parts.

What are the installation requirements and connection specifications for vacuum gripping systems?

Vacuum gripping systems require compressed air supply at 6 bar operating pressure with G1/8 or G1/4 threaded connections depending on component size, plus electrical connections for integrated vacuum sensors and position feedback systems. The Festo OGGB Bernoulli grippers feature G18 thread connections as indicated in model designations like OGGB-140-G18-2-Q, while vacuum suction cups mount directly to vacuum generators or manifold blocks using standard pneumatic fittings. Installation must include vacuum monitoring to detect gripper engagement, emergency air blow-off capability for immediate workpiece release, and proper filtration to prevent contamination from affecting gripping performance in automated production lines.

What are the operating temperature ranges and IP protection ratings for vacuum gripping components?

Festo vacuum gripping components operate reliably within ambient temperatures of -10°C to +60°C for standard applications, with specialized high-temperature variants available for environments up to +150°C in automotive paint shops or furnace loading applications. Most vacuum suction cups and Bernoulli grippers achieve IP54 protection rating against dust ingress and water splashing, ensuring reliable operation in typical industrial environments with coolant mist or cleaning operations. The sealing materials determine chemical resistance, with polyurethane variants offering superior abrasion resistance while silicone-free compounds prevent contamination in sensitive electronic assembly applications requiring ultra-clean manufacturing conditions.

What maintenance intervals and service life expectations apply to industrial vacuum gripping systems?

Vacuum suction cups require inspection every 500,000 to 1,000,000 cycles depending on workpiece surface roughness and contamination levels, with sealing lip replacement typically needed when vacuum level drops below 80% of specification or visible wear appears. Bernoulli grippers have significantly longer service intervals due to contactless operation, requiring only air filter replacement every 6 months and nozzle cleaning every 3 months to maintain optimal air flow characteristics. Preventive maintenance includes daily vacuum level monitoring, weekly cleaning of suction surfaces, and quarterly calibration of integrated pressure sensors to ensure consistent gripping force throughout the production cycle and prevent workpiece dropping incidents.

How do you determine the correct vacuum cup size and holding force for specific workpiece weights?

Vacuum cup selection requires calculating the theoretical holding force using the formula F = P × A where F is holding force in Newtons, P is vacuum pressure in bar, and A is effective cup area in cm², then applying a safety factor of 4:1 for vertical lifting applications. A 150mm diameter cup like the Festo ESS-150-SF generates approximately 1,200N holding force at -0.8 bar vacuum, suitable for workpieces up to 30kg when accounting for dynamic loads and acceleration forces during automated handling cycles. Surface porosity, workpiece geometry, and cycle speed requirements may necessitate larger cup diameters or multiple gripping points to achieve reliable handling without workpiece slippage or cup detachment during high-speed production operations.

What compressed air quality requirements and filtration levels are needed for vacuum gripping systems?

Vacuum gripping systems require compressed air quality conforming to ISO 8573-1 Class 1.4.1 specification, meaning particle size below 0.1 microns, pressure dew point of +3°C, and oil content less than 0.01mg/m³ to prevent contamination of vacuum generators and ensure consistent performance. Festo vacuum components incorporate integrated filtration elements sized for 40-micron particle retention, but upstream air preparation including coalescent filters and pressure regulators maintains optimal vacuum generation efficiency. Poor air quality reduces vacuum pump life by up to 50% and causes erratic gripping performance, making proper filtration essential for achieving the expected 8,000-10,000 hour service life of vacuum generators in automated production environments.

How do environmental factors like humidity and altitude affect vacuum gripping performance?

High humidity above 80% RH can reduce vacuum gripping performance by up to 15% due to water vapor condensation in vacuum lines and decreased sealing effectiveness of rubber cups, requiring heated air preparation or desiccant dryers for consistent operation. Altitude above 1,000 meters reduces atmospheric pressure and consequently decreases available vacuum differential, with gripping force diminishing approximately 12% per 1,000m elevation gain, necessitating larger cup sizes or multiple gripping points for mountain-based manufacturing facilities. Temperature variations affect sealing material flexibility and air density, with Festo ESS series vacuum cups maintaining specification across -10°C to +60°C operating range while specialized compounds extend this range for extreme environment applications.

What are the energy consumption differences between vacuum suction and Bernoulli gripping technologies?

Bernoulli grippers consume significantly more compressed air than vacuum suction systems, typically requiring 300-600 Nl/min air flow at 6 bar pressure compared to 50-150 Nl/min for equivalent vacuum cup systems, resulting in 3-4 times higher operating costs per cycle. However, Bernoulli grippers eliminate the energy losses associated with vacuum pump operation and offer instantaneous gripping without pump-down time, making them more energy-efficient for rapid pick-and-place cycles exceeding 60 cycles per minute. The Festo OGGB series incorporates optimized nozzle geometry to minimize air consumption while maintaining reliable gripping force, with the OGGB-100-G18-2-Q consuming approximately 400 Nl/min compared to older designs requiring 600+ Nl/min for equivalent holding performance in high-speed automated assembly applications.

How do you integrate vacuum gripping systems with PLC control and safety monitoring?

Vacuum gripping system integration requires analog vacuum pressure sensors providing 4-20mA or 0-10V signals to PLC inputs for continuous monitoring, with digital outputs controlling vacuum generation and compressed air blow-off valves for emergency workpiece release. Safety circuits must include vacuum level monitoring with configurable thresholds typically set at 80% of maximum vacuum to detect gripper engagement, plus timer functions to verify gripping within specified cycle times before allowing robot motion commands. The Festo vacuum components support IO-Link communication protocol for advanced diagnostics including cycle counting, maintenance scheduling, and predictive failure analysis, enabling Industry 4.0 integration with SCADA systems for comprehensive production monitoring and automated maintenance scheduling in smart manufacturing environments.