SMC ZGS Vacuum Gripper System (Foam Type)
SMC ZGS Vacuum Gripper System – Foam Type
The SMC ZGS is an all-in-one foam-type vacuum gripper system built as a ready-to-mount end-of-arm tool (EOAT) for robotic palletizing and depalletizing of corrugated cartons. Each unit integrates the vacuum ejector, supply and release valves, silencer, pressure switch, and robot mounting flange, so you bolt a complete gripping head directly to the cobot wrist instead of building custom tooling from parts.
What Is the SMC ZGS Vacuum Gripper System?
The ZGS series is SMC's foam-pad vacuum gripper for collaborative robots. Every function needed for adsorption is combined into one assembly, configured for a specific cobot and shipped with the robot connection cable and an ISO 9409-1-50-4-M6 mounting interface so it is operational out of the box.
Instead of discrete suction cups, the ZGS grips through a continuous foam pad that conforms and seals around whatever lands beneath it. That makes it forgiving of carton placement and ideal for lines that run mixed or variable box sizes, including boxes smaller than the full pad. Vacuum saving valves limit air loss across areas of the pad that are not covered by a workpiece.
Key Features
- All-in-one EOAT: ejector, supply valve, release valve, silencer, pressure switch, and robot flange in a single unit – no custom tooling to design or assemble.
- Continuous foam pad: conforms and seals around the load, gripping mixed, off-center, or variably sized cartons without re-teaching cup positions.
- Vacuum saving valves limit air loss across uncovered areas of the foam face.
- Three pad sizes: 200 x 120 mm, 300 x 180 mm, and 400 x 240 mm to match carton dimensions and payload.
- IO-Link compatible, plus PNP and NPN output options on the integrated pressure switch.
- Factory-supported cobot compatibility with Universal Robots, FANUC, Yaskawa MOTOMAN, and OMRON/Techman, including the matching connection cable.
Step 1: Foam (ZGS) or Suction Cup (ZGP)?
SMC builds two integrated cobot palletizing grippers from the same platform. They share robot compatibility, IO-Link, and the all-in-one design, but they grip differently. The right choice comes down to how consistent your carton mix is.
| Consideration | ZGS – Foam (this page) | ZGP – Suction Cup |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Mixed-SKU lines and variable box sizes that land anywhere under the pad | Consistent, repeatable carton footprints where cup layout can be planned |
| Gripping surface | Continuous foam pad that conforms and seals around the load | Discrete 2.5-stage bellows cups (25 mm or 50 mm) |
| Placement tolerance | Forgiving – grips whatever contacts the pad, including off-center or mixed loads | Cups must align to the carton – favors known positions |
| Air efficiency | Vacuum saving valves limit loss across uncovered foam | Lowest – discrete cups self-seal when uncovered |
| Shared | All-in-one EOAT, IO-Link, integrated pressure switch, and compatibility with Universal Robots, FANUC, Yaskawa MOTOMAN, and OMRON/Techman cobots | |
Running consistent single-SKU cartons with flat tops? Compare the SMC ZGP suction cup vacuum gripper system instead.
Step 2: Choose Your ZGS Configuration
Browse the configured ZGS part numbers below. Use these attributes, in order, to narrow to the right unit:
- Pad size – match to your largest carton: 200 x 120 mm (compact), 300 x 180 mm (mid-size), or 400 x 240 mm (large / higher payload).
- Compatible robot – general-purpose mount, or a unit pre-configured for your cobot brand.
- Number of ejectors – more ejectors deliver higher suction flow for larger or heavier cartons.
- Switch output – PNP, NPN, or IO-Link to match your robot controller.
Compatible collaborative robots: Universal Robots (UR3e, UR5e, UR10e, UR16e, UR20, UR30), FANUC CRX series, Yaskawa MOTOMAN HC series, and OMRON/Techman TM series. Need help selecting? Call 1-888-600-3080.
How to Read a ZGS Part Number
| Robot | N = General purpose · 011/012 = Universal Robots · 021 = OMRON/Techman · 043 = Yaskawa MOTOMAN · 051 = FANUC CRX |
| Output | P = PNP · N = NPN · H = IO-Link |
| Valve | B = Supply N.O. / Release N.C. · K = Supply N.C. / Release N.C. · W = 2-position double / Release N.C. |
| Size / foam / ejectors | 200120, 300180, or 400240 mm · foam adsorption pad · 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 ejectors |
| Cable / port | (blank) = with cable for compatible model · R = discrete-wire cable · N = without cable | C8 = ø8 · C10 = ø10 · N11 = ø3/8" port |
The remaining characters set the pressure-switch configuration (1 or 2 switches) and the robot mounting flange. Full specifications appear on each product page.
Browse all configured ZGS units below.
How the ZGS Works – One Integrated EOAT
The ZGS generates vacuum on board using SMC's ejector (Venturi) principle – compressed air drives the ejector to create vacuum at the foam face, with no separate vacuum pump or motor. Every function needed to pick and place a carton is built in:
- Foam pad: conforms to the carton surface and seals around the load, including boxes smaller than the full pad.
- Ejector(s): generate vacuum from shop air; quantity is selectable to match required suction flow.
- Supply / release valves: configurations cover normally-open and normally-closed logic, including a 2-position double supply valve.
- Silencer and vacuum saving valves: manage exhaust noise and limit air loss across uncovered foam.
- Pressure switch: confirms vacuum and signals the robot controller; one or two switches with unit-switching or SI-only display.
- Robot mounting flange: ISO 9409-1-50-4-M6 basic, offset, tool-plate, or straight-flange options.
ZGS Configuration Options
| Pad size | 200 x 120 mm, 300 x 180 mm, or 400 x 240 mm |
| Gripping face | Continuous foam adsorption pad with vacuum saving valves |
| Ejector assemblies | 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 pieces |
| Switch output | PNP, NPN, or IO-Link |
| Compatible robot | Universal Robots, FANUC, Yaskawa MOTOMAN, or OMRON/Techman |
| Air supply (P) port | ø8, ø10, ø5/16", or ø3/8" one-touch fitting |
Typical Applications
- Mixed-SKU robotic palletizing and depalletizing where carton sizes vary
- Depalletizing incoming pallets of assorted corrugated cases
- Handling boxes smaller than the full pad, or with off-center placement
- Food, beverage, and consumer-goods distribution with changing case sizes
- Cobot cells that need one EOAT to handle a range of cartons without retooling
See a full cobot palletizing cell in our guide on smart automation for warehouse palletizing, or browse the full SMC vacuum products line.
Why Source the ZGS from Automation Distribution
Automation Distribution is an authorized SMC Corporation of America distributor and a single source for the cobot, gripper, and pneumatic components that complete a palletizing cell. Our application engineering team sizes ZGS grippers against your carton range, footprint, and cobot model, validates the configuration string, and supports the full build.
Call 1-888-600-3080 for ZGS selection, configuration validation, and cross-references, backed by technical support across the entire SMC catalog.