2026/05/15

Even rough surfaces can be gripped

Uneven surfaces make vacuum handling difficult. The bellows suction cup FSGA-78 CF from Schmalz reliably adapts to textured materials and ensures a safe grip—inspired by bionics. Thanks to its soft sealing lip, even challenging workpieces such as rough-sawn wood can be gripped safely and without leakage.

With the new bellows suction cup FSGA-78 CF, even challenging workpieces—such as rough-sawn wood—can be gripped safely and without leakage.

Rough-sawn wood poses a major challenge for vacuum suction cups: The uneven surface allows air to flow into the system. This causes leakage that can reduce grip strength and disrupt processes. For such applications, Schmalz has equipped the bellows suction cup FSGA-78 CF with new sealing technology. The extremely soft silicone sealing lip adapts to the structure of the workpiece during gripping. As a result, it seals reliably despite gaps and unevenness.

Textured workpieces can now be gripped and moved safely. Despite its soft and flexible sealing lip, the suction cup also offers exceptional stability. For maintenance personnel, this means fewer suction cup replacements, less time spent troubleshooting leakage, and improved system availability.

The suction cup utilizes Schmalz’s proven suction cup geometry. Applications can install it quickly and easily replace it in existing systems. The sealing system is bionic—that is, inspired by nature—and is based on the so-called Clingfish-Effect. The northern clingfish uses this adhesion principle to attach itself to wet, rough surfaces with its ventral suction cup.