SMC ZXPE5-X3 Compact Electric Vacuum Pump: Vacuum Without Plant Air
2026-11-06Cobot cells, remote inspection stations, and demo carts often have no usable plant air. A conventional pneumatic ejector needs compressed air to create vacuum; without an air line, that design stops cold. SMC’s ZXPE5-X3 is a compact electric vacuum pump that, per SMC, needs no air source and runs on a 24 V supply alone. This article gathers only what SMC has published on the new-product page, web catalogue, and catalogue PDF (26-E807), then adds a pre-selection checklist. Specs SMC has not released are left out.
The short answer
The ZXPE5-X3 integrates a vacuum pump, atmospheric release valve, and pressure monitor in one body and generates vacuum from 24 VDC. SMC’s published headline figures are: max. vacuum pressure −74 kPa, max. suction flow 4.5 L/min (ANR), envelope 58 × 76 × 105 mm, and body mass 441 g. Adsorption starts within 100 ms of the command; automatic diagnosis and energy-saving automatic/manual modes are included. It fits applications that need short vacuum cycles where plant air is unavailable, with a cup sized for the workpiece.
Official specifications
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Series | Compact vacuum pump ZXPE5-X3 | SMC new product page / web catalogue |
| Air source | Not required; usable with 24 V power only | SMC new product page / catalogue PDF |
| Integrated functions | Vacuum pump + atmospheric release valve + pressure monitor | SMC new product page / catalogue PDF |
| Max. vacuum pressure | −74 kPa (SMC measurement conditions; may vary with atmosphere) | SMC web catalogue / catalogue PDF |
| Max. suction flow | 4.5 L/min (ANR) (same caveat) | SMC web catalogue / catalogue PDF |
| Dimensions | 58 × 76 × 105 mm | SMC web catalogue / catalogue PDF |
| Weight | Body 441 g; pump mounting bracket assembly 207 g; connector cable 83 g | Catalogue PDF |
| Allowable load on body | 5 kg (do not exceed; exceeding may cause failure or workpiece drop) | Catalogue PDF |
| Noise | 60 dB(A) (actual under SMC conditions; not a guaranteed value) | Catalogue PDF |
| Power | 24 VDC ±10%; max. current 1,400 mA including inrush; standby 60 mA | Catalogue PDF |
| Connector | M8 8-pin (plug) | Catalogue PDF |
| Operating temperature | 5 to 40 °C | Catalogue PDF |
| Quick start | Adsorption starts within 100 ms | SMC new product page / catalogue PDF |
| Energy saving | Automatic/manual modes; current consumption max. 64% reduction (SMC measuring conditions) | SMC new product page / catalogue PDF |
Sources: SMC new product page, ZXPE5-X3, SMC web catalogue, ZXPE5-X3, and catalogue PDF 26-E807. Use SMC’s full catalogue and operation manual for ordering and installation detail.
About the 5 kg allowable load: this is SMC’s allowable load on the body, not a vacuum-to-payload conversion. The catalogue states that when a load is applied to the body it must not exceed this value; suction and transfer beyond it may cause product failure and workpiece drop. Usable gripping mass still depends on cup seal, acceleration, and safety factor—confirm with SMC data and a physical test.
What the integrated functions do
Per SMC’s published description, the ZXPE5-X3 packs several roles into one unit:
- Adsorb / release. Command adsorb or release on the input; vacuum pressure is monitored via an adsorption-confirmation output; an automatic mode can set the threshold for you.
- Quick start. Adsorption starts within 100 ms—useful for short pick-and-place cycles.
- Automatic diagnosis. Results are shown on LEDs and digital signals for field troubleshooting.
- Energy-saving operation. Automatic or manual energy-saving bands; SMC states up to a 64% reduction in current consumption versus continuous pump running under its measuring conditions (excluding inrush).
How to Order (catalogue example): ZXPE5 + cup mounting flange (N = without) + I/O type (NN = NPN / NP = PNP) + cable (Nil = with / N = without) + pressure monitor (C = unit switching / M = SI only) + bracket (B = with / F = without) + X3. Confirm the exact combination in SMC’s catalogue.
Electric vacuum pump or pneumatic ejector?
General selection principles below—not SMC data. Match them to your process and SMC’s catalogue:
| Situation | Leaning | Why (general) |
|---|---|---|
| No plant air (cobot cell, mobile cart, remote station) | Electric vacuum pump | Power only; no airline to run |
| Stable plant air, many cups, or high flow demand | Pneumatic ejector more common | Compressed air scales flow easily; ZXPE5-X3’s published max. suction flow is 4.5 L/min (ANR) |
| Want fewer air lines at the end effector | Integrated electric pump | Pump, release, and pressure monitor already in one body |
| Porous or leaky materials with high flow need | Check flow and sealing first | See our note on the Festo OVPN multistage vacuum generator for porous materials |
If the cell already has reliable compressed air, a conventional ejector path may still be right. For series selection among SMC ejectors, start with our ZP vs ZH vs ZU field guide and the ZK2A energy-saving vacuum generator system article. For uneven bag or shrink-wrap loads at the gripper, compare SMC ZGS-X7 foam vacuum gripper (ejector-type gripper—different vacuum-source architecture from ZXPE5-X3). Drop-risk design on loss of air or power is covered in vacuum system safety for automation and robotics.
Checklist before you specify
| Area | What to confirm | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Air and power | Whether plant air is truly unavailable; whether the 24 VDC ±10% supply covers max. 1,400 mA including inrush | SMC catalogue PDF |
| Vacuum and flow | Whether −74 kPa and 4.5 L/min (ANR) meet cup seal and cycle time; leaky parts need a real test | SMC web catalogue / catalogue PDF |
| Body load | Whether the load applied to the body stays within 5 kg when mounted on the end effector | Catalogue PDF (allowable load on body) |
| Environment | Temperature within 5–40 °C; whether 60 dB(A) noise is acceptable (not a guaranteed value) | Catalogue PDF |
| Signals and wiring | NPN or PNP; M8 8-pin; need for cable, bracket, unit-switching pressure monitor | Catalogue How to Order |
| Cup and workpiece | Cup choice for the application; seal area, porosity, acceleration, safety factor | SMC catalogue / physical test |
| Safety | Drop risk on power loss or vacuum loss, and countermeasures | Project risk assessment |
Talk to us
Gather workpiece size and surface condition, the intended cup approach, power and I/O type, and whether the cell has no air source, then email doskee@dustry.ltd. We will help you list the points to confirm with SMC.
FAQ
Does the ZXPE5-X3 still need compressed air?
Per SMC, no air source is required; a 24 V supply is enough.
What are the max. vacuum and flow figures?
SMC publishes −74 kPa max. vacuum pressure and 4.5 L/min (ANR) max. suction flow, measured under continuous pump operation and SMC’s conditions; values may change with atmospheric pressure and method.
Is the 5 kg allowable load the gripping payload?
No. It is the allowable load applied to the body, not a vacuum-derived payload. Do not exceed it; exceeding may cause failure or a drop. Confirm real gripping capability with the cup and process.
How fast does adsorption start?
SMC states adsorption starts within 100 ms.
How much energy can the saving modes cut?
SMC states up to a 64% reduction in current consumption versus continuous operation under its measuring conditions (excluding inrush). Results vary with workpiece, cup, and temperature; the catalogue recommends thorough verification.
What should I check when ordering?
Select flange, NPN/PNP, cable, pressure-monitor unit option, and bracket per the catalogue How to Order, with suffix X3. Follow SMC’s catalogue for the exact code.