Vacuum suction cup calculator

Enter the workpiece mass, acceleration, friction and safety factor, choose the load case, vacuum level and number of cups. The calculator gives the required holding force, the holding force of the chosen cups and the minimum cup diameter.

What it calculates

• Required holding force for three load cases (horizontal cup with vertical or horizontal motion, vertical cup)
• Holding force per cup from vacuum level and diameter
• Minimum cup diameter for the number of cups
• Maximum mass the chosen cups can handle

Formulas

I:   F_req = m·(g + a)·S
II:  F_req = m·(g + a/μ)·S
III: F_req = (m/μ)·(g + a)·S
F_cup = Δp·A = Δp·π·d²/4    [Δp kPa / 1000 = N/mm²]
d_min = √(4·F_req / (π·Δp·n))

Worked example

How to use it

1. Create a free account with Google or e-mail.
2. Open the calculator and enter your values; units can be metric or imperial.
3. Read the result with its formula and source, and export to PDF, DXF or CSV where available.

Frequently asked questions

Which load case is the worst?

Case III, with the cup vertical and the part held only by friction, needs by far the largest holding force.

What safety factor should I use?

At least 1.5 for horizontal handling and 2 or more for vertical or oily surfaces; maker guidelines such as Schmalz give values for your application.

What vacuum level is typical?

About −60 to −80 kPa for non-porous parts like sheet metal.

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Results are engineering estimates for planning. They do not replace the applicable standard, a qualified procedure or a check by a qualified engineer.