Piab launches BCP suction cup family for sustainable box handling. Published 6/22/2026 Piab launches BCP40, a long-stroke, stable and sustainable suction cup dedicated to fast, reliable automated handling of corrugated cardboard boxes in packaging and intralogistics. BCP40 is a suction cup dedicated to automated handling of corrugated cardboard boxes in packaging and intralogistics. BCP40 combines long stroke, high stability and sustainable materials in a cost-efficient design optimized for high-throughput box handling. BCP40 is purpose-built for cardboard box handling in end-of-line packaging, top loading, palletizing and de-palletizing, as well as logistics centers and intralogistics with controlled box quality. Its stable, long-stroke bellows manage normal box height variations while helping to keep grippers and loads steady at higher speeds. With an approximate 40 mm lip diameter and stroke of around 25 mm, BCP40 offers a large sealing area and long stroke for medium-to-large boxes, supporting secure, repeatable gripping on even box lids. The injection-molded TPE material supports recyclability and high-volume production, while its abrasion resistance and geometry provide long service life in high-cycle packaging environments. BCP40's bellows and lip are tuned for medium collapse level, making it well suited to multi-cup grippers and arrays where parallel behavior and consistent lifting forces are critical, even in dusty environments and with minor box irregularities. Integrated cleats and lip geometry increase the effective vacuum sealing area, improving hold, reliability and enabling higher safe payloads within the same footprint. Designed to be robust against implosion within the specified operating range, BCP40 helps users design stable, energy-efficient box-handling systems for modern automated packaging and intralogistics applications. The cup is compatible with a wide range of fittings, filter discs and piSAVE(R) sense valves, simplifying upgrades and integration into existing vacuum systems while adding protection and closed-loop pick detection. BCP40 will be available through Piab's regular sales channels and digital tools, offering machine builders, integrators and end users a box-focused, sustainable and robust option for automated box handling.

Piab introduces BLFF - a new structural concept for high-flow suction cups. Published 6/15/2026 BLFF is a new high-flow suction cup family that breaks the traditional trade-off between adaptability and stability, enabling one platform to handle wide variation in objects in demanding logistics and packaging environments. Piab introduces BLFF, a new family of suction cups built on a completely redesigned structural concept for high-flow vacuum applications. Developed for logistics, warehousing, mixed packaging and high-speed parcel sorting, BLFF is designed to manage frequent variation in size, shape and packaging type with a single, versatile platform. Key features for high-flow users. * New dual-material architecture A flexible, wear-resistant lip overmolded onto a stiff bellow makes BLFF soft where it must conform to objects and rigid where it must maintain control and structure. Stable performance in sealed and leaking applications * BLFF has been tested under heavy loads, high accelerations and extreme flow rates. It maintains seal, form and grip where conventional cups often collapse or lose control, especially on porous or uneven materials. Sizes and hardness options for logistics and packaging * BLFF is initially available in sizes 42 and 55, covering common logistics and packaging requirements. Each size comes in two hardness levels: medium for a balanced mix of adaptability and control, and hard where maximum stability is needed at high acceleration or with heavier objects. A consistent external geometry across hardness levels simplifies EOAT design and changeovers. * Modular, sustainable and easy to service An integrated fitting concept means only the plastic cup is replaced at end of life, while the metal part stays in the machine. Service can be done from underneath the cup to minimize downtime. An external feature module allows add-ons such as fine filtration, and BLFF is compatible with piSAVE(R) sense for vacuum control and Energy Saving. Fully recyclable materials, long service life and reduced scrap support both performance and sustainability goals.

Piab introduces piSOFTGRIP(R) 40-3 - a food-approved soft gripper for delicate handling. Published 5/26/2026 Piab is expanding the piSOFTGRIP(R) family with the new 3-finger piSOFTGRIP(R) 40-3, developed for the food and chocolate industry. Based on the proven piSOFTGRIP(R) 30-3, the new model increases gripping capacity up to Ø40 mm while keeping the same concept and ease of use. The vacuum-based soft gripper safely handles sensitive, lightweight products with irregular shapes or surfaces. Its one-piece, sealed design with three gripping fingers is robust, dust-insensitive, and allows easy adjustment of gripping force via the vacuum level - ensuring gentle and reliable handling across a wider range of applications. Food approved for delicate handling. piSOFTGRIP(R) 40-3 is made from detectable silicone approved for direct food contact, in compliance with FDA 21 CFR and EU 1935/2004 regulations. Designed for the food and chocolate industry, it enables automated handling of an even wider range of products - including delicate food items and chocolate pralines - without the risk of crushing, deformation, or damaged toppings. With a sealed vacuum cavity and optional wash-down fitting, piSOFTGRIP(R) 40-3 is easy to clean and well suited for hygienic production environments where reliability and cleanliness are critical. Easy to use, control, and clean. piSOFTGRIP(R) 40-3 combines soft gripping performance with the simplicity of a suction cup. Using the same fittings as piSOFTGRIP(R) 30-3 and Piab's piGRIP(R) suction cups, it supports easy upgrades, retrofits, and standardization across production lines. To match different application and cleaning requirements, piSOFTGRIP(R) 40-3 is available with a tiered range of fittings. As a cost-efficient base option, standard piGRIP(R) fittings offer a compact and economical solution for general-purpose installations. For applications requiring a firm, rotation-locked connection and broader mounting flexibility, a new aluminum clamp fitting provides a secure, non-rotating interface with multiple thread options - ideal where mechanical stability is key, but exposure to highly aggressive detergents is limited. For the most demanding hygienic environments, the premium stainless-steel rotation-locked washdown fitting delivers maximum corrosion resistance and is designed to withstand cleaning with strong detergents and frequent washdown cycles. The gripper can be easily configured for multimode applications, such as rows or grid layouts, to handle different pick patterns. The intuitive design ensures fast integration into automated systems, helping maintain product quality, secure hygienic handling, and boost overall productivity.