System for handling workpieces and method for operating such a system

A system (10) for handling workpieces, comprising:

• a handling device (12) which comprises at least one vacuum gripper (16) for drawing a workpiece in by suction,
• at least one vacuum generator (26) that can be operated by the supply of compressed air for supplying the at least one vacuum gripper (16) with vacuum,
• at least one controllable control valve (28) configured to control the supply of compressed air to the at least one vacuum generator (26), wherein the control valve (28) acts between a compressed air supply (24) for the system (10) and the vacuum generator (26),
• wherein the at least one control valve (28) is associated with a control device (30) for the proper control of the at least one control valve (28) as required,
• wherein the handling device comprises an evaluation unit (32) configured for evaluating operating data of the at least one vacuum generator (26) and/or configured for evaluating operating data of the handling device (12) and configured for generating control signals as a function of the evaluated operating data,
• wherein the control device (30) controls the at least one control valve (28) as a function of the control signals transmitted from the evaluation unit (32),
• wherein the handling device (12) comprises a carrier (14) which is configured to be fastened on and detached from a holding section (20) of the system,
• wherein the at least one vacuum gripper (16) and the evaluation unit (32) are arranged on the carrier (14), and
• wherein the vacuum generator (26) is arranged on the holding section (20) of the system.