Mini Electric Vacuum Pumps / Grippers

Mini Electric Vacuum Pumps and Grippers are compact, high-performance vacuum solutions designed for precise pick-and-place, gripping, and material handling in robotic and automated systems. They deliver reliable suction, fast response, and clean operation in applications where space is limited and accuracy is critical.

At Norck Robotics, miniature vacuum pumps generate vacuum using electric drive technology without the need for external compressed air. When paired with vacuum grippers or suction cups, they enable secure handling of small, lightweight, or delicate components.

These systems are engineered for compact integration, low power consumption, and consistent vacuum performance, making them ideal for modern robotic cells and precision automation.

Mini Electric Vacuum Pumps and Mini Electric Vacuum Grippers are used extensively in laboratory automation to safely and securely handle small, fragile components; such as test tubes, microplates, pipette tips, microscope slides and so on. They are often the best option for pick-and-place operations because of their small size, easy installation, and ability to perform delicate operations in a limited space.

• Mini Electric Vacuum Pumps (usually 5V) generate enough suction to lift lightweight consumables without mechanical gripping. They are compact, so they can fit easily into small automated systems.
• Mini Electric Vacuum Grippers combine a vacuum mechanism with specially designed stingers and nozzles or cups to grip effortlessly and securely, making them perfect for fragile and sterile components.
• Vacuum provides the advantage of not physically clamping the item, since contamination or damage may occur. Because of the vacuum, processing samples is safer and more hygienic.
• These solutions are crucial to delivering the speed, precision, and reliability of robotic operations in a lab environment where limited mechanical complexity is paramount.

Mini electric vacuum pumps have many advantages, especially when working with fragile samples such as test tubes, microplates, or pipette tips.

1. Smaller form factor: These small vacuum pumps are small enough that they can fit into machines where space is at a premium or into robots where the footprint is limited.

2. Low voltage: These are typically powered by 5V providing good power consumption, and consistent with facilities’ laboratory electronic systems.

3. Gentle, non-intrusive handling: Mini electric vacuum pumps and mini electric vacuum grippers have the ability to lift and move fragile objects (with the potential of breaking or contamination) components with fragile samples.

4. Quiet and Clean of operation: Electric systems produce minimal noise, and do not use compressed air; thus, suitable for use in sterile or cleanroom conditions.

5. High accuracy and repeatability: Absolute requirement for scenarios involving auto pick / auto place or where consistently accurate location is critical.

6. Reduced maintenance: Mini electric vacuum pumps have fewer mechanical parts than pneumatic solutions which reduces the life cycle of the equipment and the overall maintenance.

Mini electric vacuum pumps and mini electric vacuum grippers are perfect for handling many kinds of light and fragile lab consumables, including:

• Test Tubes - They are easy to grip by the smooth cylinder of the side wall and do not require much pressure to be applied.
• Microplates - A flat surface is best for vacuum pick-up, especially when in automated screening.
• Pipette Tips - With their light weight and consistent uniformity, even small pipette tips can be safely handled by a mini electric vacuum, without using a mechanical gripping device.
• Microscope Slides - Thin fragile microscope slides should be left to gentle suction to decrease the chance of breakage.
• PCR tubes and caps - With small and consistent shape, these consumables make great use for vacuum pick and place.
• Sealing Films or Foils - Vacuum does not subject flat and flexible films/foils to pick up and place them.

Vacuum handling not only provides a clean/sterile non-contact grip, but helps minimize the risk of contamination.

• High-performance micro suction maintains grip strength across small, delicate, or porous surfaces.
• Mini vacuum grippers for confined spaces designed for lightweight robotic arms and compact work spaces.
• Quiet and efficient design quiet, low energy consumption, and low vibration to perform jobs with incredibly sensitive attention.
• Flexible mounting options mounts allowing for easy integration into EOAT set ups or with embedded tools via custom fittings.
• Auto-pick and place from electric micro vacuum grippers supporting automated pick-and-place applications in precision driven environments.
• Engineering support from Norck Robotics documented assistance from selection through integration for reliable results.

There could be times where you might want to use a vacuum gripper in the lab setting as opposed to using a mechanical gripper.

Handling fragile or delicate items where a vacuum gripper provides the ability to apply uniform suction without an identified compressive force. Consequently reducing the likelihood of damaging thin glass slides, microplates or PCR tubes.

• Handling light and flat consumables - things like sealing films, cover slips or sheets of foil, would be better suited to suction than mechanical clamping. 
• Minimizing risks of contamination - with suction, the grip involves less contact area between gripping surfaces, making it almost perfect for sterile or cleanroom environments. 
• Speed and simplicity of automation - most of the time, fewer moving parts are required for suction gripping devices than with mechanical grippers, integrating into automated pick-and-place systems may be more straightforward. 
• Handling items without definable edges - grip means there has to be something to grip. Objects like pipette tips, or tubes without positive grip surfaces, are better lifted with suction. 

In summary, within the constellation of lab automation and handling, Mini electric vacuum grippers are best when gentle, clean, and precise handling of objects is critical.