Editorial Technical Reference

Vacuum gripper end-effector for lenses and marking-sensitive parts (spring-mounted cups that land softly and leave no trace)

A vacuum end-effector for optical lenses and other parts that must not be marked · spring plungers that let each cup land softly and follow height differences, one or two damping springs and strokes from 5 to 90 mm, and non-marking cups made without additives that leave traces

A robot loading optical lenses into trays or machines picks each part by its surface. Two things go wrong at that contact: the cups land too hard or unevenly, or they leave a trace on a polished or coated face. Spring-mounted cups and cup materials made for marking-sensitive work address those two problems, and the end-effector is specified with both in mind.

Vacuum end-effectors for robots and handling systems that pick optical lenses, displays, glass and other marking-sensitive parts, with their spring plungers and non-marking cups. Suction cup sizing and cup materials are covered on the Vacuum suction cup page; palletizing vacuum grippers on the Vacuum gripper end-effector for palletizing beverage cases and cartons: leaky corrugated board, part-covered suction zones and the air flow the gripper must supply page; lens centring machines on the Precision optical lens centering machine (bell-clamp centering and edging) page.

CNFX editorial research · Sources checked October 13, 2026 · 3 sources

Spring plungers for soft placement Cups that leave no marks

Robot end-effector with four spring-loaded stainless plungers and small black suction cups holding a clear glass lens above a metal tray of lenses, with clear vacuum tubes on the gripper body — Four spring-mounted suction cups holding a lens above a tray

Start with your task

Spring plungers for soft placementStroke and damping. Cups that leave no marksNon-marking materials.

Spring plungers that land each cup softly

Schmalz's FSTE spring plungers, with "Stroke from 5 mm to 90 mm", are offered for workpieces of differing heights and for "Handling of sensitive workpieces (such as sheets of glass) without additional control functions to prevent damage, since the plunger ensures soft placement". The FSTE has a lower damping spring "optimised for sensitive workpieces", an integrated vacuum feed through the rod, and an optional non-rotating version for oval cups. [1]

The FSTA, with 25 to 90 mm stroke, adds a second spring: "Upper damping spring with high spring constant prevents overstroke and ensures even load distribution". Its suction cup connection is G1/4 in. or G1/2 in.; the FSTE runs from M3 and M5 up to G1/2 in. [2] [1]

Schmalz spring plunger	Stroke	Damping	Cup connection
FSTE	5–90 mm	Lower damping spring	M3, M5, G1/8 in. to G1/2 in.
FSTA	25–90 mm	Upper and lower damping springs	G1/4 in., G1/2 in.

Give the supplier the lens diameter and curvature, height variation between parts and trays, and robot approach speed, and ask for plunger stroke, spring force and how many cups contact each part.

Cups that leave no trace on the surface

Piab's non-marking range is for cases "When any trace from suction cups is unacceptable and surface finish is the top priority", naming "sensitive camera lenses, consumer electronics displays or windshields". Piab says the cups "are made from highly wear resistant materials without additives that could cause marking", and include compliant shapes for curved and uneven surfaces. [3]

Editorial note: for lenses with coatings or later cleaning steps, the cup material's marking behaviour has to be proven on the actual surface: ask for a pick-and-place trial on coated parts and an inspection of the contact area afterwards.

State the lens material, coating and any cleaning or coating step after handling, and ask for the cup material and its non-marking evidence on that surface.

Lens vacuum end-effector details

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Part: [lens diameter; curvature; material; coating]
Handling: [tray; machine; cycle time]
Cups: [number; size; non-marking material]
Plungers: [stroke; damping; non-rotating]
Vacuum: [generator; sensing]
Trial: [parts; marking inspection]

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Lens vacuum gripper sources

2 companies list this product among what they make. Company figures are quoted from each company's own website; every card states where the relationship came from.

HanTian Automation (ZheJiang) Co.,Ltd.

Manufacturing site to be confirmed for the order

Lists vacuum gripping systems and special grippers on its own website; ask for spring plungers and non-marking cups for lenses.

Product scope checked 2026-10-13

Current product source ↗

Own-site product category: Vacuum Gripping System · profile compiled by CNFX from public sources

View profile Send enquiry

ChengZhou Technology

Manufacturing site to be confirmed for the order

Lists electric vacuum grippers with suction cups on its own website; ask for non-marking cups and a lens trial.

Product scope checked 2026-10-13

Current product source ↗

Own-site product page: electric vacuum gripper EV260 · profile compiled by CNFX from public sources

View profile Send enquiry

Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.

Compiled and source-reviewed by the CNFX editorial team. Each manufacturer above links to the page on that company's own website where the product is listed, with the date we checked it. How we source and review · Page last updated 13 October 2026

Buyer questions

What does a spring plunger do on a vacuum gripper?

Schmalz says it compensates height differences and gives soft placement of sensitive workpieces without extra control functions. [1]

What stroke range is available?

5–90 mm for Schmalz FSTE and 25–90 mm for FSTA. [1] [2]

Why two damping springs?

Schmalz's FSTA upper spring prevents overstroke and spreads the load evenly. [2]

What makes a cup non-marking?

Piab makes its non-marking cups from wear-resistant materials without additives that could cause marking. [3]

Sources and what still needs a direct check

Sources checked 2026-10-13. Schmalz publishes product pages for its FSTE and FSTA spring plungers; Piab publishes its non-marking suction cup range page.

Schmalz — Spring Plungers FSTE ↗ Manufacturer product page Return to text ↑
Schmalz — Spring Plungers FSTA ↗ Manufacturer product page Return to text ↑
Piab — Non-marking suction cups ↗ Manufacturer product page Return to text ↑

Still to check yourself

State lens and coating.
Choose plunger stroke.
Choose non-marking cups.
Run a marking trial.
Set approach speed.
Verify the legal supplier and factory.

Buyer enquiry

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