Robotics & Automation worked example

Vacuum Cup Holding Force with effective cup area of 15 in^2: a worked example

Push effective cup area up to 15 in^2 and the picture changes. This example computes every intermediate figure at that operating point. Use it when picking sheet, box, or pouch products and you need to confirm cup count and size will hold the load through accel, peel, and orientation.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Effective cup area (total of all cups): 15 in^2 (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 6)
  • Applied vacuum level: 20 inHg (unchanged)
  • Leak and seal derate factor: 0.7 x (unchanged)
  • Orientation and accel safety factor: 3 x (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Theoretical holding force = effective cup area x applied vacuum level x 0.491 (inHg to lbf/in^2)) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 630 lbf for design holding force, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 210 value for base product.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3 x for multiplier.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 300 value for factor a x b.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where effective cup area sits at 6 in^2 and the headline result is 252 lbf, this scenario comes in 150% above the baseline at 630 lbf.
  • It converts total effective cup area and applied vacuum into a theoretical force, then derates for leakage and divides by an orientation/acceleration safety factor to give a realistic design holding force. The value of this scenario is the size of the gap it exposes: that gap, priced out over a year, is the budget you can justify spending to close it.

Results at a glance

  • Design holding force: 630 lbf (headline result)
  • Base product: 210 value
  • Multiplier: 3 x
  • Factor A x B: 300 value

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Vacuum Cup Holding Force calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.