FAQ

An electric vacuum gripper generates the vacuum directly within the gripper—without the need for compressed air infrastructure such as compressors, vacuum nozzles, or valves.

The key difference:
The system operates entirely on electricity and requires only a 24V connection.

With the G-VAC, this approach goes one step further:
Depending on the model, vacuum generation even occurs without a traditional pump.

This transforms a complex pneumatic system into a compact, integrated gripping solution.

Most vacuum grippers—regardless of the manufacturer—rely on compressed air.

This means:

• Comnpressors
• Ejectors
• Valves and hose systems

This infrastructure results in ongoing costs, leaks, and maintenance requirements.

The G-VAC completely replaces this principle with electric vacuum generation.

The result:

• no compressed air
• no continuous consumption
• significantly lower system complexity

The real change, therefore, lies not in the product—but in the principle behind it.

Inside the gripper, shape-memory actuators made of nickel-titanium are at work.

These micrometer-thin wires undergo a minimal change in length when electrically activated. This movement is used to mechanically generate a vacuum.

This is the key difference from conventional systems:

The vacuum is not created by flow—but by material behavior

Or, to put it another way:

The intelligence lies in the material, not in the motor.

That depends on the application.

Beim For the G-VAC PS (for smooth, dense surfaces): (für glatte, dichte Oberflächen):

• no compressed air
• no pump

The system operates entirely without external or internal vacuum generators.

Beim For the G-VAC AS (for porous or flexible materials): (für poröse oder flexible Materialien):

• integrated, very compact vacuum generation

There are comparable solutions on the market.
The difference lies in performance:

The G-VAC AS achieves fast evacuation times and stable holding forces—especially with difficult materials such as cardboard, wood, or films.

The key difference lies in the operating principle:

• Energy is only required during suction and release
• No energy is consumed during the holding state

In contrast, pneumatic systems generate continuous energy demand—even without an active gripping process.

In practice, this means:

• Electricity costs in the range of a few euros per year per gripper
• instead of several hundred to a thousand euros with compressed air

Especially in systems with many grippers, this results in a massive difference in operating costs and CO₂ footprint.

Compressed air often seems unremarkable—but it is one of the most expensive forms of energy in industry.

This is due to several factors:

• Constant energy demand for generation
• Leaks in the system
• Inefficient energy conversion
• Additional maintenance costs

These costs are often not immediately visible, but they add up significantly across the entire system.

Eliminating compressed air is more than just an energy-saving measure.

It changes the structure of the entire system:

• no compressors
• no valves
• no compressed air lines

This results in:

• simpler system architectures
• fewer interfaces and sources of error
• less planning and integration effort

In short:
The system becomes not only more efficient—but also simpler.

The G-VAC is designed for typical handling tasks in automation:

• Pick-and-place
• Machine loading
• Handling of flat components
• Clamping and fixing tasks

Typical industries:

• Automotive
• Packaging
• Electronics
• Glass and building materials industry

Depending on the variant, the G-VAC covers a wide range:

G-VAC PS (passive):

• smooth, dense materials
• e.g., metal, glass, plastic

G-VAC AS (active):

• porous or flexible materials
• e.g., cardboard, wood, films

This allows for both simple and demanding applications.

The G-VAC is designed for components weighing approximately 1 g to 5 kg. ausgelegt.

The actual load capacity depends on several factors:

• Surface of the component
• Size and number of suction cups
• Process conditions

• 24V electrical connection
• Standardized interfaces
• Compatible with all common fieldbus systems (e.g., Profinet, IO-Link…)
• Compatible with common controllers

The gripper can be used both as a mobile end-effector on a robot and as a stationary clamping system.

The G-VAC has two power-free switching states.

This means: This means: Components can be held securely even without power

This increases process reliability, especially in critical applications.

Maintenance requirements are significantly lower than with pneumatic systems.

This is primarily because typical sources of wear are eliminated:

• no valves
• no compressed air components
• fewer moving parts

This reduces:

• unplanned interventions
• service costs
• downtime

The G-VAC operates entirely electrically and features integrated sensors for monitoring conditions such as vacuum and movement.

This offers a decisive advantage:
Unlike pneumatic systems, there are no hard-to-trace effects such as leaks or pressure losses in the system. Instead, relevant conditions can be directly detected and evaluated within the gripper.

This enables a significantly more transparent assessment of the system’s condition and lays the foundation for condition-based maintenance.

In practice, this means:

• Deviations become visible early on
• Maintenance can be planned specifically
• Unplanned downtime is reduced

This makes predictive maintenance not only possible but also significantly.

Operation is virtually silent. Since no compressed air is used, there is:

• no blowing
• no air turbulence
• no flow noise

This is particularly relevant for:

• workstations in the immediate vicinity
• sensitive production environments

Yes – this is precisely where the G-VAC demonstrates its strengths.

Since compressed air is completely eliminated, there are no air turbulence, no blow-off, and no uncontrolled particle movement. This is a key difference from traditional pneumatic systems, which actively impact the environment.

Operation is also virtually silent.

This makes the gripper particularly suitable for:

• Cleanroom applications
• Sensitive production areas
• Processes with high requirements for cleanliness and process stability

In short: The gripper does not work against the environment—it blends into it.

Yes.

Our grippers are currently being tested in the following applications, among others:

• Body-in-white handling in the automotive sector
• Glass handling in the construction industry
• Loading and unloading of EDM stations in industrial manufacturing in der industriellen Fertigung

Yes.

Typical process:

• You provide a specific application
• We assess feasibility and integration
• Joint testing under real-world conditions

Currently, only limited pilot capacities are available.

Most solutions on the market are still based on compressed air or electric pumps.

Most solutions on the market are still based on compressed air or electric pumps.

• high energy consumption due to continuous operation
• Leaks in the system
• complex infrastructure consisting of compressors, valves, and piping
• regular maintenance requirements

regular maintenance requirements The G-VAC addresses exactly this and takes a different approach:

• electric vacuum generation directly in the gripper
• with the PS, even without a pump

The decision is therefore not a matter of the manufacturer, but of the principle:

traditional vacuum generation – or a fundamentally new approach.

Whenever:

• Energy costs are a factor
• Systems need to be simplified
• Maintenance needs to be reduced
• Or new systems need to be designed more efficiently from the start

Especially in applications with many grippers or long operating times, compressed air generates significant costs that are often underestimated.

This is where the G-VAC demonstrates its full potential.