Wood plank handling device - has suction grippers each with valve element in suction cup selectively blocking common vacuum and pressure medium line

摘要

The device has a suction unit with a large number of suction grippers adjusted in height and driven along horizontal guide rails. Each suction gripper is cardanically suspended from a height guide coupled to the centralised vacuum source and a press medium supply. The cup of each suction gripper has a movable valve element which blocks the suction line when the gripper is in complete contact with the surface of the plank and moved into an open position when the suction line is coupled to the press medium supply.S When the gripper is in complete contact with the surface of the plank the valve element is maintained in the open position to ensure a vacuum in the suction cup.