Suction cups are made for a variety of uses. There are many things to take into consideration when purchasing suction cups including your budget. It is important to asses how many suction cups you will need, how long they will last, and how much weight each can hold when assessing suction cups pricing and costs. It is better to purchase a better quality suction cup upfront rather then having to replace the suction cup and whatever was hanging from it when it gives out. Although most suction cups can be purchased for less than $1, it is still important to set an appropriate budget for suction cups.

When comparing suction cups pricing and costs, you need to take into account several factors. Find the answers to the following before making a suction cups purchase:

1. How large do you need your suction cups to be and how does size factor in to suction cups pricing and costs?

2. Is there a shape and style of suction cup that is best suited for your job?

3. Do you need suction cup accessories in order for your suction cups to function efficiently?

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Decide on suction cup size

Typical small rubber suction cups cost between $0.05 and $0.22 a piece when ordered by the hundred. They cost between $0.50 and $1 when purchased singularly. The variation in price depends on the size, accessories, and how many rubber suction cups you purchase at a time. When researching information about suction cups and setting your suction cup budget, try and think long term. The more suction cups you purchase at a time, the more money you will save.

I recommend: Popco details several different sizes of suction cups. Sticky Pod gives some suction cup information that may help you asses what you need out of a suction cup.

Choose a shape and style of suction cup

Depending on how you plan on using industrial suction cups you may need a variety of shapes and styles. The typical glass or window suction cups do cost just pennies, but the term 'suction cup' can also encompass large automobile suction cups for replacing windshields as well as home improvement suction cups for removing tiles. These types of suction cups run between $15 and $70, depending on the size and application.

I recommend: PIAB describes the best types of suction cups for various surfaces. Northern Tool and Equipment shows what an industrial professional suction cup can do.

Decide what suction cup accessories you will need

There are different accessories you will need when you buy suction cups from suction cup manufacturers that may be necessary for the best function of your suction cup including hooks and springs. Each accessory can influence the price of your suction cup by several cents a piece. An added spring can cost up to $0.65 a piece for typical rubber suction cups for sale.

I recommend: Hang-Ups Unlimited shows pictures of what various suction cup accessories look like. Anver can help you choose the right suction cup for any job.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep in mind your purposes for an industrial suction cup when choosing a suction cup manufacturer. The manufacturer may be able to offer you a deal based on volume or give advice on the best options for your particular purposes.

Suction cups are also called vacuum cups, and are very similar to vacuum pads in both form and function. Industrial suction cups attach to objects by means of a sealed vacuum, but they usually also attach to actuators, swivels and other automation devices so that they can move or reorient objects in production processes. Another common feature of an industrial suction cup is a bellows, to help it attach to irregular surfaces.

Suction cup suppliers do not all use exactly the same terminology, but here are several common types of suction cups:

1. Standard suction cup for general purpose

2. Curved suction cup for use with spherical or cylindrical objects

3. Bellows suction cup for added conformance to object surfaces

4. Square or rectangular suction cups

5. Sponge suction cup for objects with especially irregular surfaces

6. Ring suction cup to hold flat disks, like CDs

7. Oval suction cup for increased holding relative to a circular cup

8. Cleated suction cup for increased holding

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Buy suction cups from quality suction cup manufacturers

A suction cup supplier will usually carry a wide variety of suction cups for a range of applications. Sometimes, however, specialty vacuum cups require a more extensive search if you want to find the most appropriate suction cups for sale.

I recommend: Vuototecnica carries flat, bellows, square/rectangular, oval and foam cups in many sizes, from less than 15 mm to greater than 100 mm. Vaccon Vacuum Products is another good place to look for suction cups. They carry the usual types as well as what they call "ultra miniature cups." Additionally, they offer rigid cups and specialty items.

Mount your suction cups

You'll need to mount your suction cups to your automated production equipment. Mounting types include pivot and swivel movements, which can help compensate for poor alignment, as well as spring mounting which retracts during suction. Some large pads can attach with multiple mounts.

I recommend: Anver has a huge selection of suction cups, mounts and hardware. You may well find everything you need at this site. EDCO USA provides clear, detailed information about their products and sells specialty cups along with the usual types.

Find custom suction cup solutions for your manufacturing needs

If you are not sure what you are looking for, some websites provided more detailed information than others to help you select the right suction cups. If you need something special, go for a company that offers custom design to meet your application.

I recommend: Give Miller Rubber Products Company a call. They welcome customers to call them with specifications for custom manufacturing. The SMC Corporation of America also sells complete adapters and suction cup assemblies. Their E-Tech feature allows you to design an assembly system online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Suction cup tools called vacuum lifters are great for lifting anything with a smooth surface. They add a temporary handle to objects and typically feature a quick release. Consider using them if you have workers who repeatedly lift applicable objects.

Suction cups come in many types and styles. Typically made of rubber or plastic, they are designed to stick to smooth, nonporous surfaces. Suction cups have evolved, though, and you can with the help of vacuuming and bellowing, stick them to more than you imagined. Suction cups work by an air pressure reduction on the inside of the cup when the cup is applied to the surface. The higher air pressure on the outside keeps the cup in place, and friction keeps the cup from sliding.

Suction cups have many uses. Hang ornaments and signs. Use them in a kitchen or bathroom. Some with long necks are great for keeping items directly off of your glass surface. They are used to move items such as glass windows or glass panels. They can be used in the factory on the assembly line. The list goes on and on.

To find out more about suction cups types and styles:

1. Find traditional suction cup manufacturers.

2. Look for suction cup information on commercial suppliers.

3. Purchase double bellows suction cups for odd shaped surfaces.

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Buy suction cups for many business needs

From hanging store signs to mounting your camera, there are many reasons to purchase traditional suction cups.

I recommend: Take a look at the traditional suction cups by Adams Mfg. While you are there, check out their "Suction Cup 101" section. Purchase a suction cup specifically designed for camera mounting from B&H Photo.

Call out the industrial suction cups for big jobs

Industrial suction cups are necessary for heavy duty commercial jobs like factory work as well as carrying critical items like glass. When the suction cup has to work, you need to rely on the seal that has been created between the item and the cup, and you have you to make sure that you have a strong enough suction cup to do the job.

I recommend: Look at the Powr-Grip Vacuum Cups from Wood's Powr-Grip. They let you pump out air from between the rubber vacuum pad and your glass surface. The cup also has a red line indicator to let you know when it is ready. Take a look at the commercial selection from suction cup manufacturer PIAB AB.

Find double bellows suction cups for sale

Double bellow suction cups work great for concave and convex shapes and also work well on slanted surfaces. They are less complicated and more economical than mechanical springs, ball swivels and height compensators, and you can extend your suction cup life by keeping the vacuum level set a little bit lower.

I recommend: Purchase double bellows suction cups from ANVER. While visiting their site, check out simulation of the bellows suction cup in action. Techno-Sommer Automatic also carries a double bellow suction cup for sale.

Suction cups come in dozens of different shapes and sizes. While this means you have more variety when choosing one for your needs, it can also make coming to a final decision more time consuming. To avoid wasting time during the selection process and to avoid buying the wrong product altogether, consider learning suction cups key terms. They may not give you an exhaustive technical knowledge of suction cups, but they'll put you on the right path when buying them for your business.

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Mushroom head

A mushroom head is a bulb that protrudes from the backside of a suction cup. There's a thin strip of space between it and the cap, allowing you to hang hooks, wires or other fixtures from it.

I recommend: To see different suction cups with mushroom heads, check out the selection at Adams Mfg. Company.

Bellows

Suction cups with bellows have at least one accordion-like bend in them. The design creates a vacuum seal in the cups, giving them extra staying power.

I recommend: You can view examples of bellows suction cups at VacMotion Inc.

Viton

Viton is an extremely heat-resistant rubber made by Dow. Manufacturers often use the material to make suction cups. Manufacturers can use the material for short periods of time at temperatures over 700 degrees F.

I recommend: Anver makes a few suction cups out of Viton.

Vacuum cup

Vacuum cups are a special kind of suction cup. With threaded screw holes embedded in them, you can attach them to high-power vacuum hoses and use them in heavy industrial applications. Depending on their strength, vacuum cups are suitable for a range of uses, from lifting sheets of glass to transporting metal components across a factory.

I recommend: Vi-Cas Manufacturing Company makes an extremely wide variety of vacuum cups.

Fitting

Certain suction cup manufacturers make fittings to go with their cups. You can use these bolt-like attachments to connect suction cups to vacuums and other devices.

I recommend: From bore diameters to thread sizes, learn more about suction cup fittings at Vaccon Company. The company makes nine different kinds of fittings with both male and female threads.

InHg

An abbreviation for inches of Mercury (Hg), inHg is a unit of pressure. Suction cup manufacturers sometimes rate the sticking power of their products in terms of inHg.

I recommend: PIAB discusses the effects of vacuum pressure in inHg on suction cups on its website.