The pneumatics Division of Parker Hannifin has introduced its latest Moduflex Miniature Vacuum Generator, which has been developed to offer a compact, lightweight solution for use in a variety of automation and product handling applications, ranging from component pick and place in the electronics and semiconductor industries, to paper, foil and carton handling in the print and packaging sectors. Perhaps as importantly, the Moduflex Vacuum Generator incorporates a number of innovative features, including a standard blow-off facility, and can be positioned remotely from the control valve, directly onto a valve island, or mounted in-line close to vacuum cups to minimise space requirements. The Moduflex Vacuum Generator uses proven Venturi technology, where the kinetic energy from a compressed air jet can be harnessed to create a vacuum or suction force, reaching up to 90% vacuum.

In common with all products in the Moduflex range, the Vacuum Generator offers users a choice of mounting and positioning options: for example, remotely with the vacuum cup directly mounted on the generator for fast response times; with centralised control on a valve island to save space at the point of suction or in rugged environments; and in-line, with the suction cup being positioned remotely, again to save space at the point of use, while allowing easy access to the vacuum generator.

Depending on the application, the Moduflex Vacuum Generator can be controlled by either single or double 3/2 electrically or pneumatically actuated valves and can also be supplied with an optional vacuum sensor for connection to machine monitoring systems.

Other options include push-in straight, elbow, and double main union connectors, and an exhaust silencer.

The latest Moduflex Vacuum Generator are lightweight, with the standard unit weighing just 30g, and have a robust construction, with a polyamide bodies, nitrile poppets and brass nozzles.