When establishing a new bag gripping system in a palletizing line, one inevitable issue is getting the proper specifications to coordinate with the conveyor rollers for a smooth lifting and releasing procedure.

This demands time-consuming analysis and design and, later on, even more time for adaptation and adjustments. Furthermore, additional solutions may have to be considered, e.g., for slip sheet handling, which prolongs the implementation process and may interfere with the original set-up and purpose of the gripper.

The pre engineeried bag gripper

Piab’s newborn in the palletizing tool family, lightweight bag gripper LBG-50, solves all that.
“LBG-50 is the result of our long experience from developing custom palletizing End-of-Arm-Tooling (EOAT)”, says Madeleine Sheikh, Product Manager at Piab Vacuum Automation Division. “What we have here is a complete pre-engineered bag gripper that is easy to install, adjust and maintain. It offers flexibility to fit any roller conveyor on the market, and slip sheets are handled just as easy by our vacuum-based upgrade option with Duraflex® suction cups and COAX® technology.”
Handling sacks normally poses a challenge as they are heavy and flexible, yet with a surface that is sensitive to pinching, puncture or rough treatment. LBG-50 avoids that by providing a gentle but firm lift while a built-in top clamp plate secures the bag from above during motion. This, in turn, allows higher cycle speed.
Both the arm and the framework of LBG-50 are made of aluminium, which makes it robust yet lightweight. Other positive features are flexible width and finger positioning and generous mounting options. Flexibility also goes for the valve package, which can be configured with either Discrete I/O, Ethernet/IP or Profinet.
“LBG-50 will be built-to-order in both the EU and the US. We recommend consulting an Application Engineer to ensure the correct gripper selection before purchase”, concludes Madeleine Sheikh.

The lightweithg bag gripper LBG-50
Piab strengthens its grip on palletizing with the LBG-50. (photo: Piab)
LBG-50 is a pre-engineered representative of Piab’s gripper technology for palletizing. Whereas ‘Lightweight’ refers to the refined design, LBG-50’s performance is anything but that. It comfortably lifts ≤50 kg sacks off the conveyor and securely places these on a pallet in any desired pattern. If slip sheets are part of the process, LBG-50 may easily be upgraded with a handling system using Piab Duraflex® suction cups and COAX® technology.

The features

Lifts bags and sacks of any standard material such as paper, plastic, non-woven and cloth. Vacuum based slip-sheet handling upgrade offered;
Bag dimensions up to 495 x 650 x 215 mm and ≤50 kg weight;
Adjustable width and finger positions for perfect adaptation to both conveyor and sacks. Active top clamp plate enables a secure vertical grip;
Lightweight tool design in aluminum, maximizing the robot’s payload;
The valve package can be configured with either Discrete I/O, Ethernet/IP or Profinet;
Robust mounting plates with a selection of ISO robot interface as well as undrilled for customization.