PAT.PENDING.

Swing vacuum pad and Buffer with Lock Mechanism

FREE LOCK PADAstable material handling of workpiece shape with lockable ball joint and lockable buffer.

HIROTAKA MFG. Co.,LTD.

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OutlineFREE LOCK PAD is the ball joint pad which can transfer to next operation in locked state by angleor height position with copying of workpiece surface.The setting quality of workpieces is improved in next operation because the ball joint or buffer canbe locked even multi-item-mixed transfer.There are lockable ball joint and the combined type with lockable buffer.

Feature① It is conveyed while maintaining the shape of the workpiece because the ball joint can

lock after the suction cup copied the shape of the workpiece.

② The lockable buffer can be handled the different heights workpieces of various types

because the buffer can lock according to the workpiece height.

③ High quality material handling with suppressing distortion from the workpiece weight.

④ The lockable buffer can do quick handling with shockless due to the stopper because

the buffer can lock in the absorbed position.

⑤ FREE LOCK PAD have flexibility for additional workpiece and equipment updating

because the workpieces of various shapes can be handled with one handling.

⑥ The locking is maintained because compressed air is not required while locking.

⑦ It uses with one 3-port pneumatic solenoid valve for unlocking of ball joint and buffer.

FREE LOCK PAD FLV series

Lockable Ball joint

Lockable Buffer

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FREE LOCK PAD

How to order

ＦＬＶ － １ Ｂ － １２ Ｃ － Ｓ１ － Ｋ － Ｈ

SpecificationLockable ball jointWorking fluid Compressed airWorking pressure range 0.4MPa to 0.7MPaWithstanding pressure 1.0MPaAmbient temperature －10 to 60℃ (to be unfrozen)Working humidity range 90％ or lessRotating angle Maximum 15 degrees（±15 degrees）Lock torque 40kg.cmDurable vibration 1.9G or lessAdsorption power of a pad（Theoretical Value）Note：Since theoretical adsorption power is the

value of static conditions, when youactually use it, please level-hang, comeout, perpendicular-hang 1/4, come out,and take into consideration one eighth ofsafety margins.

Vacuumpressure

Pad size -66.7Kpa -53.4Kpa -40.0Kpa

1 53.37kgf 42.7kgf 32.02kgf

2 19.21kgf 15.37kgf 11.52kgfLubrication Not required

Lockable bufferWorking fluid Compressed airWorking pressure range 0.25MPa to 0.7MPaWithstanding pressure 1.0MPaAmbient temperature －10 to 60℃ (to be unfrozen)Working rod speed 50~500mm/secLubrication Not required

Locking force520N (Φ12 rod size)900N (Φ16 rod size)

Symbol Pad size1 Φ1002 Φ60

FREE LOCK PAD Symbol Rod size12 Φ1216 Φ16

Symbol Type of springS1 Low

Refer to spring reactiveforce data (P13).S2 Middle

S3 High

Symbol Metal scraperNil Non metal scraperK Attached

Symbol Vaccum holdingsupport

H Supported※ Able to select only when choose

the type of including buffer.

Symbol Lockable bufferNil Non bufferB Attached

Symbol Centering springNil Non springC Attached

※ In the case of non buffer,the rod is not included.

※ The scraper is included the buffer.Able to select only when choose Φ12 rodsize. The standard scraper is NBR.

Note Low ：Adsorption and removing from above.Middle：Metal scraper attached.High ：Adsorption and removing from

horizontal or upward position.

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Dimention (mm)

Model：ＦＬＶ－１Ｂ－１２－Ｓ※ Model：ＦＬＶ－２Ｂ－１２－Ｓ※

ＦＬＶ－１Ｂ－１２Ｃ－Ｓ※

Model：ＦＬＶ－２Ｂ－１２Ｃ－Ｓ※

FREE LOCK PAD FLV series

Model：ＦＬＶ－１

Model：ＦＬＶ－２

As for the area of the aspect of the pad which adsorbed it, 10% increase.

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FREE LOCK PAD

Dimention (mm)

Model：ＦＬＶ－１Ｂ－１６－Ｓ※ Model：ＦＬＶ－２Ｂ－１６－Ｓ※

ＦＬＶ－１Ｂ－１６Ｃ－Ｓ※

Model：ＦＬＶ－２Ｂ－１６Ｃ－Ｓ※ Model：ＦＬＶ－※※－Ｈ

（Vaccum holding conformity）

Part of stopper（All models）

As for the area of the aspect of the pad which adsorbed it, 10% increase.

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Using the FREE LOCK PAD and Note

Air piping circuit

Unlocking port for buffer

Unlocking port for ball joint

Vacuum port

Discharging the air causes the lock to operate.Lock the buffer and the ball joint after a swingpad and buffer stroke copy the workpieceshapes.

This air piping circuit is standard circuit thatthe ball joint and the buffer of all are controlledby one solenoid valve.The locking and unlocking of all ball joint andbuffer are same timing.

Multiple unlocking solenoid valves andvacuum ejectors can be handled theworkpiece of various absorption position withone handling.

Vacuum ejector

Unlocking SOL

Unlocking SOL

Vacuum ejector

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Time chart○：Air pressure supply ×：Air pressure exhaust

Condition Ball joint Buffer Vacuum ejector Vacuum releaseStandby × × × ×

Moving to workpiece ○ ○ × ×

Contact workpiece ○ ○ × ×

Absorption ○ ○ ○ ×

Ball joint locked × ○ ○ ×

Buffer locked × × ○ ×

Transfer・ Place × × ○ ×

Absorption OFF × × × ×

Vacuum release × × × ○

Moving standby position × × × ×

※Ball joint unlocking ○ × × ×

※Buffer unlocking × ○ × ×

Standby × × × ×

※ If the locking of the ball joint and the buffer are unlocked by one solenoid valve, it isrecommendedtheunlocking in standby position.Always lock the ball joint and the buffer to prevent movement by vibration while theabsorption transfer or FREE LOCK PAD moving.

Selection and InstructionsSelection step①Determines amount of FREE LOCK PAD by taking into account the weight of theworkpiece, shapes, the absorption position, or other.

②Determine the size of suction cup. φ100 or φ60③Suction direction of workpieces : Horizontal suction - Rod size φ12

Vertical suction - Rod size φ16④The buffer spring of “S3” is recommended when tiled, upward, or vertical suction.⑤Centering spring attached type is recommended when tiled, upward, or vertical suction.⑥If the vacuum holding check valve is installed for fall prevention, select the conformity.

Centering springThis is the spring for suction cup come back to the center when the ball joint is unlocked.

Instructions①Buffer with lock mechanism and swing vacuum pad could not lock turning effect of centershaft. When appear turning effect, use two or more, or ask to maker.

②Always lock the ball joint and the buffer while the absorption transfer or FREE LOCK PADmoving. The transfer of the unlocking condition may cause workpiece to be dropped or tobe slipped by inertial force.

③Even if the adsorption condition is horizontal lifting, the rod size φ16 is recommendedwhen horizontal condition change by rotation transfer with robot or other.

Centering spring Non-attached Centering spring attachedThe suction cup mayslant downward by theown weight of the suctioncup. The suction cup maynot follow the shapes ofthe workpiece

The swing movement is lithebecause the absorptionsurface of the pad turn to thecenter.

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Technical document

Horizontal position using.When swing vacuum pad unit is used horizontal position, under the influence of the momentby the weight of the work to which it absorbed, a problem arises in the intensity of a φ12 rodor the operation of linear brake, Use it in consideration of the following operation condition.

B point lock torque Work weightUnder 40kg.cm 12.9kg or less

Example of a calculation formula of lock torque.Lock torque kg.cm＝Workpiece weight kg × 3.1cm

（The center of gravity point of workpiece must on an absorption side.）

Lockable ball joint Lockable buffer

※When the center of gravity point of work separates from an absorption side, contact with a maker.

Buffer with lock mechanism and swing vacuum pad could not lock turning effect of center shaft.When appear turning effect, use two or more, or ask to maker.

Unable to lock Enable to lock Enable to lock Unable to lock

Since the power of a spring is weak when the lock of linear brake is canceled in the horizontalposition, there is a possibility that swing vacuum pad may not return to original point.

Buffer spring φ12 or φ16 Rod

3.1cm

Absorption side（Center of gravitypoint of workpiece）

B point Buffer spring φ12 Rod

Original point

When make it move,take into consideration the accelerationof movement, shock, bending, wind, pressure, etc.

Spring reactive force Unit：kgfCode At 0 stroke At full strokeS1 0.37 1.6S2 1.26 5.58S3 2.2 7.1

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FREE LOCK PAD

Applications

・ Outer panels or Inner panels for Automobile industry・ Glasses for Automobile industry・ Outer panels or Inner panels for Airplane・ Clamping of installation stand for various panels

Roof panel transfer for automobileThe workpieces of various shapes can be handled with one handling.Ball joint and buffer can be locked at each angle and position.Therefore, the workpieces of various shapes can be handled with one handling.

Body side panel transfer for automobileThe suction position of Free Lock Pad changes by the workpiece size.It can hand the workpiece of various shapes with a minimal number by using slide mechanism.

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Be sure to read this before handling products.These safety instructions are intended to prevent hazardous situations or equipmentdamage. These instructions indicate the level of potential hazard with the lebels of“Warning”, or “Caution”.

This symbol indicates a hazard with a medium level of lisk which,if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

This symbol indicates a hazard with a low level of risk which,if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.

Usage notes for FREE LOCK PAD.The notes of design

Safe designs should be developed, which account for the possibility of accidents resulting from a dropin vacuum pressure due to power failure, trouble with the air supply, or other.If vacuum pressure dropsand there is a loss of suction cup adsorption force, workpieces beingcarried may fall, causing human injury or damage to machine. Sufficient safety measures should beimplemented, such as drop prevention, to avoid any accidents.

The cautions at the time of selection

①Air pressure for unlocking is 0.4～0.7MPa.Use pure compressed air. Compressed air not mixed synthetic oil with chemicals or organic solvent,saline corrosive gas, and through air filter that level of filtlation under 5μm.

②Not need oiling.（Unlocking port）Since initial lubricous is carried, oil supply is not required.

Use additive-free turbine oil , when supply with oil unavoidably.Continue it , once supply with oil.If oil supply is not continued , there is a possibility of becoming a poor operation.

③Always lock the ball joint and the buffer while the absorption transfer or FREE LOCK PAD moving.④FREE LOCK PAD could not stop turnning effect of center shaft.When appear turnning effect , use two or more swing vacuum pad unit.

⑤A certain trouble may have happened the vacuum leak in a vacuum circuit.Perform maintenance check periodically.

⑥Keep in mind that it will become the cause of failure if dust goes into the absorbing hole of pad.⑦When you use a work by usurpation (hanging perpendicularly), please refer to technical data (P8).⑧If vacuum pressure dropsand during adsorbed workpieces there is a loss of suction cup adsorptionforce, workpieces being carried may fall. It can temporarily prevent workpieces from dropping bya drop in vacuum pressure due to the circuit which temporarily can hold vacuum pressure at checkvalve or the model of vacuum holding supported.The vacuum pressure reduction volume of vacuum holding supported type is “-1kPa” per minute.

(Product unit)

Caution

Warning

Caution

Warning

Caution

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FREE LOCK PAD

Inspect cycle

Recommendation check, an exchange cycle

Main body（except pad）

Check standard Replace standardCycle Method400,000 times Operation check 2,400,000 times

Using notes for Buffer with lock mechanism.The cautions at the time of selection

①Install direction：Free.But must be hole brake , and is not separate rod and equipment.Caution：If loose of installation equipment and brake or rod, it slide up 0.1 to 0.2mm

according to weight of brake or rod with jig.②Application：For safety lock, intermediate stop, Emergency stop.③Usable air：Compressed air not mixed synthetic oil with chemicals or organic solvent, saline ,

corrosive gas, and throug air filter that level of filtlation under 5μm.④Oiling：Not need（If supply with oil, use additive-free turbine oil ISO VG32 or ISO VG46）⑤Buffer with lock mechanism coud not stop turnning effect of center shaft.When appear turnnig effect, use two or more linear brakes.

Inspect cycle

Item

Portion

Judgment resultInspection Replacement

Standard cycleCycle MethodScraper 500,000 times or one year Visible 1,500,000 timesBrake Same as the above Visible 5,000,000 times

Caution

Caution

Caution

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HIROTAKA MFG. CO.,LTD.

http://www.hirotaka.co.jp/eng/

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HEAD OFFICE 5-89, Ikoma-cho, Kita-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi 462-0832, JAPAN Phone +81-52-991-6111 Fax +81-52-991-6115BRANCH OFFICE 207 Castle-Shinkoiwa, 1-56-14, Shinkoiwa, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 124-0024, JAPAN Phone +81-3-3651-4230 Fax +81-3-3651-4231