Missed picks and dropped parts
Vacuum or gripper faults during pick can be caused by pressure sag, water in the line, or undersized local storage. The compressed-air supply should be reviewed together with the cell.
Industrial Project ApplicationsAdvanced Manufacturing and Automation
Compressed Air Systems for Industrial Robots and Robotic Grippers
Industrial robots use compressed air for end-of-arm tooling, vacuum cups, mechanical grippers, clamps, tool changers, and valve packs. Whether a cell handles metal parts, cartons, plastic components, or electronics, air stability at the tool has a direct impact on cycle time and reliability.
Carolina Compressed Air reviews industrial compressed-air projects throughout North Carolina and South Carolina.
Application Overview
What This Application Involves
Industrial robots use compressed air for end-of-arm tooling, vacuum cups, mechanical grippers, clamps, tool changers, and valve packs. Whether a cell handles metal parts, cartons, plastic components, or electronics, air stability at the tool has a direct impact on cycle time and reliability.
Because robotic cells often cluster near the point of use, distance from the compressor room, pipe size, and local receiver storage all affect performance. Redundancy, monitoring, and expandability should be considered when a facility plans to add more cells over time.
Air Usage
Where Compressed Air Is Involved
- Vacuum cups on end-of-arm tooling
- Pneumatic grippers and clamps
- Tool changers
- Valve manifolds and cylinders
- Blow-off between cycles
- Instrumentation and safety devices
System Design
Why Compressor-System Design Matters
- ●Peak airflow when multiple grippers actuate together
- ●Pressure at the tool during high cycle rates
- ●Local receiver storage near robot cells
- ●Moisture control in tooling air
- ●Planned growth in number of cells
Symptoms
Problems an Inadequate System Can Cause
Slow actuator movement
Cylinder response can suffer when the supply cannot maintain pressure across simultaneous cycles. Peak demand and pipe sizing should be checked.
Excessive filter and valve maintenance
Oil or particulate carryover shortens component life. Filtration selection and dryer performance should match the tooling requirements.
These symptoms may be connected to the compressed-air supply and should be evaluated alongside the machine itself.
Equipment
Equipment That May Be Part of the Project
- Rotary screw air compressor
- Variable-speed compressor for fluctuating demand
- Refrigerated air dryer
- Coalescing and particulate filtration
- Wet and dry receivers, including point-of-use storage
- Aluminum distribution piping
- Flow and pressure monitoring
- Ambient Air
- Compressor
- Receiver
- Dryer
- Filtration
- Piping
- Point-of-Use Treatment
- Machine or Process
Example system arrangement. Final configuration depends on application requirements.
Equipment selection follows application review. Final choices depend on OEM requirements, measured demand, air quality, dew point, and site conditions.
Checklist
Information Needed to Evaluate the Project
- ✓Machine manufacturer
- ✓Machine model
- ✓OEM air requirements
- ✓Required pressure
- ✓Required flow
- ✓Number of machines
- ✓Production schedule
- ✓Expected simultaneous operation
- ✓Current compressor equipment
- ✓Current dryer and filtration
- ✓Existing receiver capacity
- ✓Existing pipe size and material
- ✓Distance from the compressor room
- ✓Required air quality
- ✓Required dew point
- ✓Current operating problems
- ✓Redundancy expectations
- ✓Installation schedule
- ✓Facility location
- ✓Photos, drawings, equipment data sheets
If the exact air demand is unknown, submit the machine information, available equipment documents, and expected production schedule. The system requirements can then be reviewed before equipment is selected.
Carolinas Coverage
Industrial Compressed Air Projects Across the Carolinas
Carolina Compressed Air actively reviews new machinery, production expansion, compressor-room replacement, air-treatment, piping, blower, vacuum, and nitrogen-generation opportunities throughout North Carolina and South Carolina.
North Carolina markets include Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Statesville, Hickory, Mooresville, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville, and Wilmington. South Carolina markets include Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Greenville, Spartanburg, Columbia, and Charleston.
Related
Related Application Pages
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
+How much air does a robot cell use?
It varies significantly by tooling and cycle. A single-vacuum-cup pick station can use very little, while a multi-gripper cell with fast cycles and blow-off can use substantially more. Reviewing the OEM specifications and cycle profile is the reliable path.
+Should we add a receiver near the robot?
Local storage often helps stabilize pressure for high-cycle cells or cells far from the compressor room. Whether it is appropriate depends on the demand profile and piping layout.
+Can our current compressor support another cell?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. A review of current output, peak simultaneous demand, dryer capacity, and piping is normally needed before adding load.
+Do robot cells need oil-free air?
Not always. It depends on the tooling, the product handled, and the OEM specification. The equipment manufacturer should confirm required air quality.
Submit the Project for Review
Planning a Compressed Air Project for This Application?
Send us the machine information, equipment requirements, facility location, and desired schedule. Carolina Compressed Air will review the application and determine what additional information is needed to evaluate the compressor, air treatment, storage, piping, blower, vacuum, or nitrogen requirements.
Prefer to talk first? Call (704) 268-6901.