Oval suction cup

The width of the workpiece to be handled limits the diameter of a circular suction pad and thus the transferable holding force, although additional surface area would be available in the longitudinal direction on slats, profiles and tubes. Oval suction pads utilise this extra surface area and are individually produced by us in our manufacturing facility according to your drawing or sample.

The matching oval suction cup shape
for your Application

Flat oval suction pads are suitable for the fast, precise repositioning of flat or slightly curved workpieces. For uneven surfaces or varying pick-up heights, bellows types can aid adaptation and compensate for height differences. Which design suits your application depends on the workpiece contour, the available suction area and the requirements for movement and positioning.

The basic version with a flat lip accommodates strips, mouldings and narrow offcuts, which provide a flatter gripping surface. The small internal volume can be evacuated quickly, which enables short cycle times.

Flat oval suction pad

The lip contour of the oval suction pad is shaped in the tool to match the radius of the workpiece so that it rests against pipes, cans and round containers over its entire length.

Oval suction pad concave

One, two or more bellows create a stroke when suction is applied. This allows stacked workpieces or workpieces of different heights to be reached without an additional feed movement of the axis.

Oval suction pad with bellows

Internal webs hold foils, veneers and sheet metal flat that would otherwise be drawn into the interior of the oval vacuum suction pad during evacuation.

Oval suction cup supporting ribs

Bellows geometry with metallic reinforcement in the convolutions for increased stability & dimensional stability during demanding lifting movements

Oval suction pad with metal insert

Threads, bushes or carrier plates made of metal or plastic are firmly bonded by vulcanisation and absorb forces or serve as connection geometry.

Reinforced oval suction pad

Advantages oval vacuum suction pad

Narrow sheet metal strips and gripping surfaces between beads leave little space for a standard suction pad. Oval suction pads make better use of the available elongated area to create a large suction surface despite their narrow width. Our oval suction pads, manufactured individually according to your drawing, make it easier to pick up and transfer workpieces whose contours restrict the choice of suction point.

More surface area on narrow workpieces: The elongated shape makes better use of the component length and thereby ensures a stronger grip without having to increase the vacuum.
Even contact pressure: The oval suction pad has no corners, meaning the pressure is distributed more evenly across the sealing lip and provides a better grip on curved or slightly undulating surfaces.
Simpler gripper design: A single oval vacuum suction pad often replaces two to three round suction pads complete with distribution block and tube routing.
Edge grippers: The narrow transverse axis allows gripping positions close to the edge of the workpiece without the lip protruding beyond the edge and drawing false air.

Oval vacuum suction cups
made to measure or drawing

The suitable material
for your oval suction cup

Whether oily sheet metal strips are being transferred, warm plastic parts are being removed or components with sensitive visible surfaces are being positioned: the material of the oval vacuum suction pad must be selected according to the application. If required, we are happy to help you with this too.

NBR oval suction pad

Oily metal sheets, stamped and machined parts can be handled with an oval NBR suction pad that retains its shape when in contact with oil and operates from minus 30 °C to plus 110 °C.

Silicone oval suction pad

Bakery products, packaged foods and workpieces straight from the oven require heat-resistant materials that are food-safe and FDA-compliant.

NR oval suction cup

Natural rubber offers the highest coefficient of friction and the best recovery properties and holds workpieces securely during high acceleration, but as standard is only heat-resistant up to +70 °C.

TPU oval suction cup

Polyurethane is particularly abrasion-resistant and is therefore used for handling sharp sheet metal and glass edges.

EPDM oval suction pad

For components in damp environments, car washes and outdoor applications, we use EPDM compounds that are resistant up to +130 °C and are also ozone- and weather-resistant.

FKM oval suction cup

Fluorocarbon rubber allows components exposed to solvents, fuels or chemicals to be handled at temperatures up to +220 °C.

You have questions about
oval vacuum suction pads
We have answers!

For which workpieces and applications is an oval vacuum suction pad suitable?

An oval vacuum suction pad is particularly suitable for long, narrow workpieces or components with an elongated suction surface. Depending on the design, items such as sheet metal strips, plastic parts or elongated packaging can be handled. Typical applications include picking up, transferring and positioning in automated manufacturing and packaging processes.

Which surfaces can be gripped securely with it?

Smooth surfaces that are largely impermeable to air, such as those made of glass, metal or plastic, are particularly suitable. Slightly rough, textured or curved surfaces require a matching sealing lip and a suitable design. In the case of porous workpieces, the air flowing through must also be taken into account. The decisive factor for functionality is that the required vacuum is maintained during handling or that the leakage can be compensated for by the vacuum pump so that the negative pressure in the oval suction pad is maintained.

Can delicate surfaces be handled without leaving marks?

Particularly low-marking handling is possible using suitable suction pad materials. Whether visible traces occur depends, among other things, on the material, the surface and the conditions of use. Completely mark-free handling therefore cannot be guaranteed across the board, but usually depends on the material pairing between the oval suction pad and the workpiece material. In the case of mark-free oval suction grippers, particular care is taken to ensure that no migratable particles diffuse from the rubber compound and deposit on the workpiece. This can be ensured on the one hand by selecting the appropriate raw rubber compound and on the other hand by tempering (heating in an oven).

How do you spot wear and tear, and when should the suction cup be replaced?

Typical signs are cracks, worn sealing lips, permanent deformation or hardened suction cup material. Longer suction times and decreasing grip (due to leaks) can also indicate wear, but may have other causes in the vacuum system. Damaged suction cups or those no longer sealing reliably should be replaced before further use. If you repeatedly encounter the same problem, we are also happy to advise you on possible optimisations and jointly develop an oval suction cup optimised for your application.

Are custom dimensions, materials and connections possible?

As an oval suction cup manufacturer with our own in-house toolmaking shop, we produce every oval suction cup technically customised to suit your requirements. These include special dimensions, application-specific suction cup materials and matching connection geometries for your existing systems. For a custom design, a drawing or sample as well as details on the workpiece surface, the load and the operating environment are helpful. Based on this, we propose the geometry, material and mounting. If required, we can develop the suitable oval suction cups together with you, for example custom designs with an extremely wide temperature range for the semiconductor industry.