Getting Started with the Schmalz Vacuum Gripper

Getting Started with the Schmalz Vacuum Gripper

Vacuum grippers are commonly used in pick-and-place and machine tending for parts with flat surfaces and light to medium weight. They enable fast, high-cycle handling (loading/unloading) of items like cartons, sheet metal, and any flat or slightly curved finished product, especially when surfaces are clean and free of debris for reliable suction.

The Schmalz ECBPMi gripper generates its own vacuum without requiring an external air supply or hose. It is designed for handling airtight workpieces up to 3 kg and is ideal for automated small-part handling.

Check before Installation

Verify Part Number

Ensure that your Schmalz vacuum gripper matches the part number below:

InfoPart Number: 10.03.01.00987


This specific gripper part number ensures compatibility for direct plug-and-play integration with the end-of-arm interface of FAIRINO cobots.

Alert
If the Part Number does not match:
Direct connection to the robot end-effector will not be possible out of the box as the pins will not match. To achieve direct connection, a custom adapter cable will need to be created. You can check the documentation for the gripper to verify the pinout.

Check Signal Type

The Fairino robot end-of-arm I/O port only supports NPN connections. Before mounting the gripper, you will need to verify the DIP switches on the gripper for both the input and output are configured as NPN.

Mount the Schmalz Gripper to the End Flange

The robot tool flange is equipped with four M6 threaded mounting holes and one positioning pin hole for tool attachment and positioning.

Use the M6 screws provided with the Schmalz gripper.

It is recommended to tighten each screw using 8 N·m of torque.
                                                         (Figure 1)
Use the four M6 screws (Item 4) and the locating pin (Item 5), as shown in Figure 2 below, supplied with the Schmalz gripper.
                                             (Figure 2)

Installation Procedure

  1. Insert the locating pin into its designated hole (the center hole between the four mounting holes). Refer to Figure 1.                                                                                                               
  2. Position the flange onto the robot tool flange using the locating pin for alignment, then tighten the four M6 screws.
  3. Align the gripper as shown in the figure below.
  4. Insert the gripper into the mounting interface and rotate it slightly clockwise until it seats securely and aligns properly in position.
  5. Tighten the fastening bolts around the gripper.
  6. Connect the gripper to the 8-pin female connector (I/O) located on the robot end flange. The gripper LEDs will illuminate to confirm that the gripper has received power. 

Activating the Vacuum

Testing the Gripper in the Web App

Start by accessing the web app from your computer or teach pendant. At the bottom section of the robot visualization, select the I/O icon. In the "EndEff" section, a DO (Digital Output) drop-down menu will be available, allowing selection between DO0 and DO1, as seen in the figure below.
Toggle DO0 on and observe whether it activates the vacuum function. For example,  DO0 activates the vacuum, while DO1 trigger the blow-off function, which releases the vacuum and removes any residual adhesion caused by suction.

Coding Suction

Notes
The command to activate Digital Output at end-effector is: SetToolDO(id, status)

If the vacuum is assigned to DO0, use the following command to activate it:
SetToolDO(0, 1), to turn it OFF=0 SetToolDO(0, 0) or you could turn ON the blow-off.


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