PIAB USA, Inc. has marketed compressed air-driven vacuum pumps and vacuum conveyors for 25 years.

The innovative, multi-ejector PIAB pump is used in a variety of packaging applications and is noted for their energy efficiency and versatility.

PIAB products have found broad acceptance in many industries including packaging, pharmaceutical, graphics, plastics, electronics, laboratory, woodworking, and the food industry.

PIAB also sells vacuum conveying systems for bulk material handling. The company’s multi- characteristic vacuum pump mounts on top of a 316 stainless steel vacuum conveyor. The vacuum conveyors have been accepted by both the USDA for dairy and the 3-A Sanitary Standards for dry milk powders. These systems safely and quietly transport up to 10 tons/hour of powders, granules and fluids in virtually any environment. They are ideal for food-handling, pharmaceutical manufacturing and chemical production, as well as other high-purity and batch-processing applications. Designed for flexibility and ease of installation, PIAB vacuum conveyors may be controlled pneumatically or electronically, and integrate readily with existing automated material- handling procedures.

In addition to a full range of standard system models, PIAB provides an expert custom-engineering capability to meet the most challenging vacuum conveying applications. PIAB products sell through a broad network of sales representatives and distributors. There are almost 100 such sales and technical organizations throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Once again the emphasis is on technical representation and PIAB makes sure that all field sales people are well trained to design the most efficient vacuum system for the customer.

VACUUM PUMPS

COAX® is an ejector technology based on a multi-stage concept for creating vacuum with compressed air. By integrating the internal components of a multi-stage vacuum pump into a vacuum cartridge, COAX® allows for a smaller, more efficient, more reliable and highly flexible technology. This flexibility is particularly helpful for users who plan to design a modular system to address specific application needs. PIAB is the leader in compressed air- driven vacuum pumps in the world today. Capacities are available from 1 to 500 scfm.

Use a PIAB compressed air driven vacuum pump and benefit from the following features:

• No Maintenance - The PIAB Vacuum Pump has virtually no moving parts. This practically eliminates the need for maintenance.
• No Noise - As the PIAB Vacuum Pump has no motor, there is no disturbing motor sound. It is so silent that even those who are very sensitive to sound feel comfortable.
• No heat - As there are no motor parts, there is no motor heat (in fact, the PIAB Vacuum Pump is cooled by the expanding air while it is working instead of being heated).
• Highly efficient - Due to the small size of the PIAB Vacuum Pump, it can be placed near the suction point. In this way, the losses in the vacuum pipe system are reduced to a minimum, a higher work rate is achieved and the operating efficiency is improved.
• Low energy consumption - The PIAB Vacuum Pump uses an economical amount of compressed air to achieve high vacuum flows and/or deep vacuum levels. The vacuum level is controlled by adjusting inlet pressure. The PIAB Vacuum Pump can be cycled on and off by controlling the inlet pressure, rather than the vacuum line, so there is no wasted energy.
• Vacuum levels down to 29.85 -inHg. (99.5% vacuum) - The new Multi-Characteristic feature allows the PIAB Vacuum Pump to achieve deeper vacuums.
• Compact & lightweight - By using compressed air as the driving force, it is possible to produce very powerful vacuum pumps that are compact and lightweight.
• Volumes up to 500 scfm - The optimized use of compressed air that distinguishes the PIAB Vacuum Pump produces unusually high capacity.
• Reliable performance - With no moving parts, the PIAB Vacuum Pump will dramatically reduce the downtime usually associated with electro-mechanical vacuum pumps. PIAB offers a 5-year warranty on all its vacuum pumps - the longest such warranty in this industry!
• Easy installation - Because of the small size and low weight, the PIAB Vacuum Pump is easy to install at any convenient position. No floor space is required and the pump can usually be mounted on the equipment for which it is necessary. Connections for compressed air and vacuum are easy to fit.

VACUUM GRIPPERS

PIAB, with over 30 years of experience in industrial vacuum products, now expands on their COAX® technology with the Vacuum Gripper System. In decentralized vacuum systems, this new concept makes for more efficient material handling. The VGS features a suction cup and an efficient multi-stage air driven vacuum pump integrated in a single unit, called a "Gripper." This avoids problems in traditional vacuum systems with a centrally located vacuum pump. A traditional vacuum system installation takes into account possible pressure loss. The VGS avoids this problem of pressure loss because the pump and suction cup are integrated. The VGS can even function at operating pressures below 45 psi. This increases reliability in case of a breakdown in the air pressure network.

The suction cups are from a specially developed polyurethane named DURAFLEX(tm). These suction cups form to many surfaces and can grip both porous, leaky materials, such as corrugated as well as coarse and curved surfaces. The Vacuum Gripper System is modularly constructed and the suction cups (with molded fittings) are easily replaceable.

In case of rapid movement, transverse loads arise that can break loose suction cups. Traditional vacuum systems often are equipped with extra suction cups to compensate for this loss of vacuum, that increases system cost and energy expenditure. PIAB's new concept features an accessory called a "Stabilizer" that can be fitted around the suction cup for support during lifts. This prevents the suction cup from coming loose, thereby retaining lifting force. The "Stabilizer" also helps hard-to-handle objects with vacuum.

VACUUM PALLETIZING

Using PIAB's Vacuum Grippers, is the new Adjustable Vacuum Palletizing (AVP) system. PIAB's AVP is a flexible new palletizing solution for handling product in a variety of industries, including food, beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, personal care and industrial. PIAB's AVP features a unique modular design that is easily expandable, in order to accommodate for dissimilarities in product size-without the need for additional end effectors. Additionally, PIAB's AVP is simple to configure, resulting in a minimal set-up time and more available up-time on the machine. PIAB's AVP is manually adjustable on the x and y axis, so the positioning can be quickly changed, thus reducing downtime. "The growing trend toward mass customization in the packaging industry is changing the shapes and sizes of boxes and containers that come through production lines," said John Holmes, Packaging Segment Manager of PIAB Vacuum Products. "PIAB's AVP system provides the flexibility, quick changeover, energy efficiency and speed to palletize a variety of products in less time."

SUCTION CUPS

A suitable suction cup is available for virtually any situation – with very few exceptions. Suction cups are very well suited for a wide variety of needs and circumstances. They can handle plate, eggs, paper, wood – practically any material. Be it smooth, irregular, bent, porous, airtight, lightweight, heavy, angled, hot or cold, the material can be handled by suction cups safely, gently and quickly.

Hundreds of variants are available as standard, including versions that are approved for foods, are oil resistant and antistatic. If none of our standard suction cups is suitable, we would be pleased to customize a special variant to suit your specific needs.

PIAB Suction Cups have been known to outlast other suction cups 10 to 1. Advantages:

• Easy installation
• Low service requirements
• Low Price
• Does not damage the Products
• Quick attachment and detachment

CONVEYORS

Dry products in the form of powders and granulates can be conveyed gently and efficiently by means of vacuum. To convey such small particles in a duct, the pressure at one end of the duct is lowered. The pressure differential induces the material to flow to the low-pressure end, where the air and material are separated.

PIAB has thoroughly proven, totally enclosed vacuum conveying systems, in which a multitude of fine-grained materials can be handled reliably, hygienically and without dust. Many leading companies in the food and pharmaceutical industries have entrusted PIAB with the task of doing just this.

Advantages of the PIAB Vacuum Conveyors:

• Simple to install
• Dustless Conveying
• Eliminates manual lifting
• Made of acid-proof polished steel
• Modular system
• Easy to clean
• Minimal maintenance
• Automatic filter cleaning
• Low noise level
• Low energy consumption
• Fully pneumatic control and operation
• A five year warranty

ACCESSORIES

• Vacuum Switches
• Vacuum Hose/Fittings
• Silencers
• Porex Mufflers