Whether in small workshops or large industrial companies, woodworking is today unthinkable without a more or less modern range of machines. However, in order to fully utilise the capabilities of expensive CNC machining centres or even simpler machines such as saws, the non-productive machine times, such as those needed for changing the workpieces, must be reduced to a minimum. Regardless of whether machines have to be loaded with sheets or planks of wood or whether large furniture elements or machined parts have to be removed, the new suction pads of the type SHFN from the vacuum specialist J. Schmalz GmbH, 72293 Glatten now permit the flexible and safe handling of rough-sawn wood, laminated or unlaminated sheets of chipboard and almost all other wood products.

Designed as flat suction pads, the SHFN pads adapt themselves optimally to the uneven surfaces of wooden workpieces. They are especially designed for this and are also made from a special material which is simultaneously very flexible and hard-wearing.
The new suction pads are characterised by two special features: firstly, their soft sealing lip, the internal sealing edge and the (optionally available) sealing ring made of special foam material permit optimal sealing to rough and structured surfaces and secondly the special structure of the bottom surface of the pads permits very dynamic handling of the workpieces. An additional dust filter also prevents sawdust and chips from entering the vacuum system.

A complete suction pad SHFN consists of the pad SHF and a connection nipple which can be simply snapped into the pad. If the pad becomes worn, it can therefore be replaced quickly, without the need for tools, and this helps to reduce the standstill times of the machines.

Fast evacuation and secure gripping are ensured by the above-mentioned optimal adaptation of the pad to uneven workpiece surfaces and by the very good sealing under (almost) all conditions (dusty or rough surfaces). Furthermore, the ribs on the top of the pad make the pad relatively, permitting safe and precise positioning of the workpieces in the machines. The productivity of the machines is considerably increased by the shorter cycle times which result from more dynamic workpiece handling.