摘要 |
A vacuum cup apparatus having a flexible member with a front side engagable with a workpiece and a back side connectable to a manipulator and communicable with a vacuum source. A passageway is provided between the front side and the back side of the flexible member and is communicable with the vacuum source to provide vacuum to the front side of the flexible member. A recessed pocket formed in the front side of the flexible member provides a lip which defines an opening into the recessed pocket. The lip is engagable with the workpiece for maintaining atmospheric pressure within the recessed pocket when the vacuum cup apparatus is engaged with the workpiece. The establishment of atmospheric pressure within the recessed pocket reduces vacuum provided in the center portion of the front side of the flexible member to reduce or eliminate any tin cupping of the workpiece.
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