Material Impact on Performance of Suction Cups: A Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

The pivotal role of suction cup handling systems within various industrial and commercial applications, notably in the lifting and manoeuvring of glass window panels and the secure retention of specimens, is underscored by myriad practical implementations. The present research endeavours to meticulously design and rigorously assess the efficacy of suction cup holding systems, employing Catia design software for the creation of the CAD design and utilising the ANSYS simulation package for structural analysis. Particular attention is accorded to the investigation of the suitability of disparate materials for the suction cup, specifically emphasising Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) and polyurethane, whilst the plate material undergoes examination utilising a carbon fibre composite. Contrastive assessments, grounded in parameters such as stress, deformation, and equivalent elastic strain, are elucidated for these varied material applications. Preliminary findings indicate that, amid numerous suction cup diameters explored, a 141 mm diameter manifests the lowest equivalent stress (ES), whilst a diameter of 118 mm reveals the maximal ES. A 141 mm diameter emerges as optimal in suction cup design and, to minimise deformation, polyurethane rubber (PR) is identified as the most propitious material. Pertaining to the suction cup body, carbon composite material (CCM) is delineated as the pre-eminent selection, offering an enhancement in the strength-to-weight ratio that is notably superior when compared with a carbon steel suction cup apparatus.