Micro vacuum pump.

The new MPXS series from COVAL offers one of the most compact intelligent vacuum pumps on the market, without compromising on the technologies that characterise the French brand. COVAL's aim is to provide manufacturers with an even more efficient tool for handling non-porous parts at high speeds on robots or automated systems.

The MPXS micro vacuum pump stays true to the design principles of COVAL's intelligent vacuum pumps, which are energy-efficiency, high-performance and communications I/O. It adds ultra-compactness, and thus concentrates all the qualities of COVAL's intelligent vacuum pumps into a smaller physical space.

With a width reduced to just 12.5 mm and a weight of only 87 grams, the MPXS micro vacuum pump is the smallest vacuum pump ever designed by COVAL. This size means it can be installed as close as possible to the suction cups, inside restricted spaces, for reduced pick-up time with no loss of load, guaranteeing high speeds.

MPXS series micro vacuum pumps quickly reach a maximum vacuum of 85%, thanks to single-stage Venturi technology, and is thus perfectly suited to dynamic applications requiring very short cycle times. The two power levels of 15 and 26 Nl/min add to their versatility and enable them to adapt optimally to the needs of each application.

The MPXS micro vacuum pump provides the user with useful information at every stage of operation. Its Human Machine Interface (HMI) makes it easy to read operating, diagnostic and maintenance information, and enables rapid parameter setting. Additionally, the integrated IO-Link communication interface supports fast, cost-effective installation, continuous diagnostics, centralized parameter setting and efficient communication with higher-level protocols (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT...).

These micro vacuum pumps feature ASC (Air Saving Control) technology, which intelligently regulates vacuum generation, enabling energy savings of 90% on average by stopping air consumption once the desired vacuum level has been reached.

The modularity of the MPXS series offers a wide choice of configurations, ensuring great flexibility of installation and use to suit the varied needs of industrial applications. It is available as stand-alone modules, or in islands of up to 8 modules, with standard or powerful adjustable blower options. The MPXS series is precisely tailored to each application, for maximum efficiency.

The pump's small size, high performance and wide range of functions and configurations make it ideal for industrial applications requiring high speeds: High-speed pick-and-place, robot manipulators, automated production. Especially in use in the plastics, electronics and pharmaceutical industries.

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Intelligent grippers!

COVAL offers manufacturers a range of vacuum grippers suitable for handling of parts of various sizes, weights, and materials. This gripper range has been extended with the latest CMS HD series multistage vacuum pumps, developed by COVAL. With this enhancement, the new generation of grippers meets the demands of Industry 4.0 with greater robustness, communication, and modularity.

COVAL's range of vacuum grippers is based on two complementary solutions. The CVGL is characterized by its lightness and great adaptability. It is available as standard in several lengths, power ratings, and gripping interfaces.

A Vast Range of Applications With their great modularity and ease of integration in all contexts, CVGL and MVG vacuum grippers can be found in many industries: packaging, plastic, metal, and wood for handling porous and non-porous objects. Qualities that make the difference: • Solutions adapted to each process • Configurable vacuum grippers • Robustness, longevity, and economy of use • Vacuum grippers with communications capability for Industry 4.0

The MVG, on the other hand, offers the possibility of configuring the gripper to allow it to be perfectly adapted to each application by determining the length, width, gripping interface, and vacuum generator while guaranteeing extreme lightness. It offers a tailored solution that integrates perfectly with handling robots.

COVAL's new generation of vacuum grippers now incorporate the latest CMS HD series of vacuum pumps. These pumps have a heavy-duty design for high reliability even in harsh environments (IP65), capable of ensuring 50 million cycles. A factor of the pump’s longevity is their modular design which allows specific configurations and targeted maintenance of specific parts to optimize repairability. As a result, the new generation of CMS HD multistage pumps adds to the vacuum grippers´ reliability and adaptability.

Vacuum Grippers Become Intelligent
The new COVAL vacuum grippers offer a choice of three multistage vacuum pump configurations, depending on the needs of the integrator or end user: non-piloted, piloted, and communicating.

The communicating configuration, which makes the vacuum grippers easier to use and parameterize, is obtained by integrating the CMS HD VX version of the multistage pump. The VX pump version features an IO-Link communication interface, compliant with the international IEC 61131-9 standard, for fast and cost-effective installation, continuous diagnostics, centralized parameterization, and efficient communication with higher-level protocols (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, etc.).

It can also support a Human Machine Interface (HMI) with NFC interface, enabling the operator to read and modify setup parameters and diagnostics from a mobile device (Android or iOS) using the dedicated COVAL Vacuum Manager app.

With these pump capabilities, the new generation of COVAL vacuum grippers become even more versatile and perfectly compatible with the robot systems at the heart of Industry 4.0.

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Vacuum grippers.

Coval offers vacuum grippers for automated applications, from gripping single parts to complete layers. The range equally suited to equipping either cobots or robots, offering a catalogue of modular, standard products, designed to meet the customers' needs.

Their complete range of vacuum grippers, can be applied at various points along the whole production line, from the manipulation of individual objects to palletizing a full layer of product at the end of the line. The range includes 3 complementary series, starting with the ultra-compact CVGC models, designed from carbon specifically for cobots. Further in the range is the CVGL series of compact and lightweight end effectors for robots. At the top end is the MVG modular series, which is fully configurable.

Carbon vacuum gripper for cobots
The CVGC carbon vacuum gripper is not just an adaptation of an existing product, but a plug and play product designed 100% for the various cobot models, The lightness of the CVGC due to its carbon material (the smallest model weighs less than 1 kg) facilitates the optimum use of collaborative robots and preserves their lifting capacity. The vacuum generator, control cartridge, vacuum switch, and silencer are grouped together in a compact function block. The CVGCs are versatile, with a foam grip interface suitable for many materials and available in three sizes: 150 x 150 mm, 240 x 120 mm and 320 x 160 mm. In addition, Stéphane Garcia, Marketing and Communication Manager at Coval, points out: "the attachment Interfaces and connectivity are adapted to the particular cobot model in each case, which means that the CVGC fits on all types of cobots. "

Lightweight vacuum gripper for robots
The dimensions and weight of the CVGL vacuum grippers make them one of the lightest and most compact ranges on the market. By reducing the weight and size of its vacuum grippers, COVAL enables integrators and manufacturers to integrate them into low-power robot manipulators. This translates into savings in terms of investment and operating costs.

To match the application requirements perfectly, the CVGL range of vacuum grippers is available in 3 standard lengths (424, 624, and 824 mm) or a custom length, and a fixed width of 120 mm, with 3 gripping interface technologies (foam, suction cups, or the gel-like COVAL-flex), 3 suction powers, and an integrated or remote generator. They offer a vacuum handling solution suited to parts of various sizes, weights, and materials.

Modular Vacuum Grippers: customization as standard
The MVG modular vacuum gripper, which is mainly used for heavy payload robots and palletizers, offers the possibility of configuring a gripper that is perfectly adapted to each application, for loads of several hundred kg. To achieve this result, major developments have been carried out and patented.

The first choice the user has to make is the size, because MVGs are custom-made to the desired size from 150x150 to 1200x1000 mm. To ensure that the vacuum gripper is perfectly adapted to the specific requirements the user can also configure the vacuum generator and the gripping interfaces such as foams and suction cups. "The MVG grippers are equipped with gripping interfaces, either by means of suction cups, foam, or Coval-flex. These solutions ensure an optimal grip regardless of the size or material of the object to be gripped (cardboard, metal, plastic, glass, concrete/stone, composites, wood, etc.)," explains Stéphane Garcia. "High performance, flexible and robust, the MVG grippers can be multi-zone, i.e. equipped with several independent gripping zones, which makes it possible to ensure staggered or multiple pick-up and drop-off, guaranteeing optimized vacuum management as well as a reduction in leaks and consumption."

Precise vacuum management with multizoning is particularly useful for staggered pick and place, managing different formats to be handled, or optimizing palletizing layers.

Stéphane Garcia adds: "Coval has been recognized for over 35 years as one of the world's specialists in systems and components for vacuum gripping. Our products are renowned for their quality and reliability. Our added value also lies in our teams of specialists who support our customers in the technical definition of the solution that precisely meets their needs and constraints. "

Coval supports manufacturers in various sectors: automotive, aeronautics, packaging, agri-food, plastics, and more.

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Mini vacuum pumps.

Coval´s new LEMAX IO series of mini vacuum pumps with IO LINK communication integrate all the required functions for optimized vacuum management in a compact package. Via their IO-Link communications interface, the mini vacuum pumps communicate permanently with the environment and thanks to ASC (Air Saving Control) technology, combine productivity with energy savings, adapting to a multitude of applications in packaging, robotics or plastics processing. Without needing extra peripherals, these all-in-one mini pumps are fully compatible with Industry 4.0 automation.

IO-Link, simplified communication
The IO-Link interface ensures efficient real-time communication between LEMAX IO vacuum pumps and all the higher-level protocols (Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, etc.) used for supervising the production line. IO-Link enables continuous diagnostics, centralized programming and pump control. The availability of real-time diagnostic status data makes it possible to optimize production. In addition to fast and cost-effective installation, preventive maintenance is easier and the replacement of vacuum pumps does not require reconfiguration.

Energy savings
ASC technology, which ensures intelligent vacuum control by stopping air consumption when the set vacuum level is reached, generates energy savings of between 75 and 99% depending on the application. In addition, ASC analyses the application and adapts to either impermeable or porous parts to optimize operation and energy consumption.

Compact size and light weight
Compact in size, the LEMAX IO pumps have all the principal functions integrated in a single module: pressure regulation, solenoid valves, anti-clogging open silencer, electronic vacuum switch, M8 connector (direct Plug & Play connection) and adjustable blowing. Their reduced size and weight (130 g) allow the suction cups to be positioned at minimum distance to achieve the shortest possible grip time without load loss.

Modularity
The LEMAX IO can be adjusted to the needs of integrators and users. They are available in three nozzle diameters (1, 1.2, 1.4 mm) allowing a suction flow rate from 29 to 70 Nl/min (max. vacuum 85%). They are optionally equipped with a normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO) solenoid valve. This variant is recommended for applications where gripping the workpiece must be guaranteed in case of an unexpected power failure, or even if leakage occurs (positive safety).

Several LEMAX IOs can be combined in an island with a single pressure supply.

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Mini-vacuum pump.

After the launch of the LEM, a new generation mini vacuum module integrating, in a smaller size, all the functions of the vacuum pump, COVAL has entered a new phase with the LEMAX. Emphasis with this new product is on energy saving through continuous monitoring and regulation.

Areas of use COVAL recommends using the LEMAX for gripping airtight pieces in the following materials: glass – plastic – treated wood – sheet metal … Industries concerned are: Packaging - Robotics - Plastics Applications: Clamping, transfer. What makes the difference • ASC technology : energy consumption reduced by 60 to 97% • Integrated regulation : energy savings, reduced consumption and noise level • Reduced size : assembly near the suction cups for better efficiency • Holding time : Two times faster than multi-stage technology • Non-clogging : Thanks to the through-type silencer, no maintenance necessary

With this new mini-pump, the guiding principle is energy saving. The LEMAX integrates ASC (AIR SAVING CONTROL) technology for the very first time. It generates energy savings of between 60 to 97%, depending on the applications.

Air is only consumed to create the vacuum and to enable gripping and moving the piece. Once the regulated vacuum level has been reached, a valve closes, enabling the piece to be held without any consumption of energy. If the vacuum level drops, an air intake is generated until it returns to the initial value.

The ASC analyses the application and adapts to airtight or porous pieces in order to optimize energy use and consumption.

Compactness: the LEMAX integrates all the main functions in a single module: pressure control, pilot solenoid valves, non-clogging through-type silencer, electronic vacuum switch, M8 connector (Plug & Play direct connection), and adjustable blow-off. Its reduced size and weight (130 grams) enables it to be connected as close as possible to the suction cups for reduced gripping time without drop in pressure.

Communication: The LEMAX supplies accurate information to the user at each operation phase. It has a dialogue façade which operates directly on the electronic card, controlling the main functions and settings.

Modularity: the LEMAX adjusts itself to the needs of the integrator and user. It is available in 6 configurations: three standard nozzle diameters (1; 1,2; 1,4 mm) allowing an intake flow of 29 à 70 Nl/mn (90% maximum vacuum).

It can be provided with a normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO) solenoid valve. This alternative is recommended for applications where safety of the gripped piece must imperatively be ensured during an inadvertent power failure, this even in the case of leakage (fail-safe).

It is possible to combine several LEMAX on island assemblies with a single pressure supply.

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