Rail System
 The Ultimate Vacuum Gripper System
Rail System Modules include all the features of EDCO Vacuum Grippers with a Positive or Limited Purge. In addition they include a pilot-operated cartridge valve for vacuum on/off control. The modules mount to the side of a lightweight 1-1/2" x 3" rail profile. Air supply plumbing is completely eliminated by utilizing the rail as a manifold to distribute compressed air to each module.
Simple System Zoning
One of the most important features of the Rail System is the ease and ability of zoning. Zoning groups several modules to a pair of 3-way solenoid pilot valves. One solenoid pilot valve controls the vacuum-on, and the second controls the positive purge for each zone. Zones can include one to several modules, and a system can have one to several zones. Systems should be configured with the smallest number of zones that provide the degree of control required for the application. If the requirements of the application change over time, the Rail System can easily be reconfigured by adjusting the number of modules per zone and/or the number of zones per system.
Zones with small numbers of modules provide the most system control, however they also require the largest number of solenoid pilot valves. Application example: Picking and placing various sizes of cases onto a single mixed pallet load.
Systems with all modules controlled as a single zone are the simplest, and require only two solenoid pilot valves. These systems are limited to basically on/off operation for all of the modules. Application example: Picking and placing identical cases onto a single pallet load.
Positive Pressure Purge: Add Sufix PP
Air pressure supplied to the venturi is diverted to the vacuum port by blocking the venturi exhaust with a piston operated by a pilot pressure signal. Tool separation movement must begin immediately (no dwell) when purge signal is initiated to prevent excessive positive pressure inside suction cups due to forces pressing the tool onto the work surface. Vacuum switches should not be used due to their limited over-pressure capability.
Limited Pressure Purge: Add Sufix SP Similar to Positive Purge except it is modified to limit the pressure applied to the suction cup. Purge air flow is not as robust as with the PP option but the pressure is limited so a vacuum switch can be used for part presence detection.
Cleaning Operations
Some systems may not require the quick-release provided by the PP or LP options. For these systems, the purge pilot ports can be plugged and not used. However, it would be worthwhile to connect all the purge pilot ports to one pilot valve to provide a brief reverse-flow cleaning action to blow out any ingested debris from the suction cups every few cycles depending on the application environment. This brief cleaning operation won’t add to total cycle time and should be performed during the return-home period while suction cups are open to atmosphere.
 |
1) M5 X 40 SCREW
2) T-NUT, RS-5 |
Rugged Shear Key Mount
Two-point mount with shear keys eliminates the possibility of pumps shifting out of position during operation. Work loads are efficiently and directly transferred to the mounting profile so that mounting screws carry only tensile loads.
How to Order Modules
| |
|
|
|
| RS |
18 |
— |
10L |
— |
PP |
— |
B50N |
| |
18 = G1/8 NPS |
|
|
|
PP = Positive
LP = Limited |
|
(Blank) = No Cup |
| |
|
|
|
|
See Information Below |
Suction Cup Selection
Choose suction cup style, size and rubber material from section 2 of this catalog and add this information as a suffix to the RS18 pump model number. For example; RS18-10L-PP pump and XP-B50N cup are selected, so the complete Vacuum Gripper model number would be RS18-10L-PP-B50N. For simplified ordering, several Rail System model numbers are tabulated, but other combinations are readily available at standard prices – contact your local EDCO USA distributor or call EDCO for assistance.
| Cup1 |
B30 |
B40 |
B50 |
B75 |
B110 |
BF80 |
BF100 |
F75 |
F110
|
FC75 |
FC100 |
| Volume: cu.In (cc) |
0.61 (10) |
0.9 (14.7) |
2.0 (32.8) |
6.7 (110) |
19 (311) |
1.8 (29.5) |
4.9 (80.3) |
1.2 (19.7) |
4.3 (70.5) |
2.3 (37.6) |
4.9 (80.3) |
| Evacuation Time2: sec. |
0.013 |
0.02 |
0.04 |
0.15 |
0.42 |
0.04 |
0.11 |
0.03 |
0.1 |
0.05 |
0.11 |
Force @
15 inHg: lb (N) |
4.1 (18.2) |
7.3 (32.5) |
12.1 (53.8) |
30.8 (137) |
64.1 (285) |
35 (156) |
65 (289) |
37.5 (167) |
78.3 (348) |
29.1 (129) |
53.3 (237) |
1Values apply to all cup materials.
2Evacuating to 15 inHg (50.8 -kPa) at 72 psi (5 bar). |
Evacuation Time
| In a non-porous system evacuation time for any vacuum cup is calculated by multiplying the internal cup volume by the time factor for the desired vacuum level from the Evacuation Time Calculation Table. |
For example: XP-B75 @ 15 inHg (50.8 kPa):
| |
Volume
cu. in. |
|
Time Factor
sec. / cu. in. |
|
| Evacuation Time = |
6.7 |
x |
.022 |
= 0.15 sec |
|
| TableVacuum Level: inHg (-kPa) |
9 (30.5) |
12 (40.6) |
15 (50.8) |
18 (61) |
21 (71) |
| Time Factor: sec./cu. in. |
0.008 |
0.014 |
0.022 |
0.036 |
0.061 |
Performance
| |
|
|
|
| RSA |
M |
— |
C |
— |
E |
— |
S |
| |
M = Total number of modules desired |
|
C = Distance from center of one module to the center of the next module |
|
E = Distance from end of profile to the center of the first module |
|
S = Modules on one side |
| |
|
|
|
|
D = Modules on both sides |
Profile Length
Minimum recommended center-to-center spacing is 1.5in but is also dependent on suction cup diameter. The minimum recommended end spacing is 1.0 in. |
Rail Assembly Weight
For total assembly weight add the Rail weight with RS18 Module weights, 0.253 lbs for the 3/8 NPSF End Caps, suction cup weights, and fitting weights. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
