Cleaning and Storage of Vacuum Suction Cups

Cleaning and storage arrangements should match the exact suction cup, material compound and application. For a covered suction cup, identify the cover separately and confirm its care instructions. Use the product manufacturer's instructions to establish the permitted method and checks before reuse.

Identify the Component Before Choosing a Cleaning Method

Record the cup manufacturer, model, material specification and condition. Where a cover is fitted, record its type and specification as well. Include any bonded, reinforced or other components addressed by the product instructions.

A material name alone does not establish which cleaning agents or methods are suitable. A cleaning method for a cup also does not establish that it is suitable for a cover, a glass coating or another contact material.

For material terminology, see the vacuum suction cup material guide. Confirm the supplied compound before selecting a care method.

Confirm the Cleaning and Drying Instructions

Check the applicable instructions for the following details before cleaning:

• The permitted cleaning agent and concentration, where specified.
• Contact time and any limits on immersion or mechanical cleaning.
• Rinsing and drying requirements.
• Inspection and reuse criteria for the component.
• Any requirements associated with the workpiece or process.

If the method is not documented for the supplied product, ask the supplier to confirm it. Do not apply a solvent mixture, washing temperature or ultrasonic method on the basis of a general guide. Follow the equipment's approved maintenance procedure when removing and refitting components.

Inspect the Cover and the Underlying Suction Cup

For an MTC-covered configuration, inspect both components under the applicable maintenance procedure:

• Cover: Check the contact face, seams and elastic retention for visible contamination, tears, looseness or other changes.
• Cup: Inspect the sealing edge, body and mounting for the conditions addressed by the cup manufacturer's instructions.
• Refitted configuration: Confirm installation, retention and the required functional checks before returning to use.

Remove damaged or insecurely retained covers from use. Replacing a cover does not resolve an underlying cup defect. For deterioration assessment, see suction cup swelling, hardening and cracking.

Plan Inspections and Replacement

Use supplier instructions and application records to establish inspection and replacement intervals. Record contamination, damage, changes in fit and other departures from the evaluated configuration. Do not treat one interval as suitable for all cups, covers, coatings or production processes.

For its listed heat-treatable coatings, arcon recommends clean protective covers and regular replacement. That guidance does not specify a general replacement frequency for every MTC application. Read arcon's official processing guide (PDF), June 2026, section 5, printed p. 3. Source checked on 13 October 2026.

A cup may still reach the required vacuum reading while its resistance to sliding has changed. See our guide to glass slipping despite a normal vacuum reading for the related condition and performance checks.

Store Components According to the Product Instructions

Follow the specified packaging, environmental and storage-time requirements for the exact product. Protect components from contamination and deformation using the recommended storage arrangements. Keep identification and storage records so the part and its history remain traceable.

Before using a stored component, complete the specified inspection and any checks required by the equipment procedure. Storage duration alone does not establish suitability for use. SSUZ suction cup storage covers provide protection during storage or transport; they are distinct from MTC workpiece-contact covers used during handling.

Keep a Short Maintenance Record

Record the component identification, inspection date, observed condition, cleaning or replacement action, method reference and person completing the work. Note any changes that require review before reuse. These are suggested record fields, not a universal maintenance standard.

For routine replacement with the same specified part, follow the applicable fitting, inspection and functional-check instructions. Changes to the cup or cover specification, cleaning method, contacted surface or operating conditions may require further application review. For coated-glass applications, use the configuration trial and acceptance guidance to review surface observations and holding performance separately.