Moving Horizontal Metal Sheets and Metal Plates Made Easy
Everything is possible with handling technology
Answered directly: None! But let's start at the beginning:
Basically, the task of moving plate material such as sheet metal or metal blanks from one position to another seems easy. Due to the current dimensions of these transport goods, whether before or after production, manual handling is therefore impossible. After all, nobody wants his company to grow permanently through his employees, even for existential reasons. In addition, the transport of metal plates and sheets, even from 30 kg (for men) in ambidextrous transfer, is not "portable" from the point of view of health protection. Besides this physical limit of employees, there is also the factor of productivity. Even this cannot be permanently scaled by "human resources" and, even with small weights, cannot be afforded uniformly and permanently due to employee fatigue.
Suitable extensions for human performance are user-centered system solutions with vacuum handling technology. By "simply" extending the radius of action of employees using vacuum lifters, they can move sheet metal and metal plates. Vacuum lifters for horizontal plate transport are the perfect solution for all applications with sheets, metal plates and metal blanks for any size, format or weight. As soon as there are sufficiently large, almost flat and appropriately textured surfaces on a workpiece, vacuum lifting devices can be used for horizontal plate transport. The devices serve as a holding unit on a crane or chain hoist and increase the motor capabilities of employees.
Guided by an operating or multifunction handle, supported by an electric motor or controlled by remote control, vacuum lifters can be configured for horizontal transport for almost all weight classes, formats or dimensions of sheet metal or metal plates. From a design point of view, it would be possible to lift from 10 kg and dimensions of 50 x 50 x 0.2 cm to infinity with a closed surface. In practical terms, standard vacuum lifters on the market differentiate between application-oriented load capacity classes for pragmatic weights between 100 kg and 60 t with dimensions of between 1 m and 15 m.
Standardized vacuum lifters for horizontal transport
The horizontal handling of sheets, plates and metal pieces is one of the most common applications. The majority of these are small and medium-sized sheets that have to be placed on machines, held by machines or moved in some way. Usually it is about dimensions from 1000 to 3000 mm and thicknesses up to 70 mm. These sheets and metal plates are used in almost every metalworking industry and are therefore one of the most commonly used semi-finished products. The moving and transporting of sheet metal is therefore one of the most common tasks in sheet metal processing and the classic area of application for our AERO standard vacuum lifter and the ADVANCE vacuum lifter. The two vacuum lifters not only support employees in lifting sheet metal, but also increase the productivity and scalability of sheet metal processing companies.
The AERO or the ADVANCE vacuum lifter is supported by a bridge or slewing arm crane, as well as by a rail system, to the extended hand of employees and grips sheets very sensitively and gently. Thanks to vacuum technology, metal plates are not gripped by grippers or tongs, but only gently touched by suction plates. After the vacuum lifter has been placed on the transported material, the suction plates are evacuated and the transported material is "sucked in" (Ps.: technically speaking, the external pressure increases and the plates are actually moved to the vacuum lifter, see also AERO wiki): How does vacuum work?). The sheet material can then be lifted by crane or rail using a chain hoist. The operator guides the AERO and ADVANCE vacuum lifters to the desired position by means of a convenient operating handle and controls the placement and release of the loads in accordance with EN13155.
AERO & ADVANCE - Our bizarre twins ;-)
What seems the same at first glance is quite different: it is probably the same with our AERO and the ADVANCE vacuum lifter for horizontal plate handling. What both have in common is that they can move metal plates and sheets horizontally. Both can be found in the usual load capacity classes between 150 kg and 1200 kg and may come with similar suction plates. And there it is, the containment!
Because the differences between AERO and ADVANCE are not only limited to a completely different design, but result in their entire construction from very different usage scenarios. Where the AERO is more experienced, the ADVANCE is smarter. In this respect, the two vacuum lifters complement each other in a wide range of applications for moving, holding and transporting sheets and plates.
Are you looking for a solution that makes it easy to move sheet metal and metal plates? Then the AERO is your ergonomic tool for rough handling processes and the ADVANCE your companion for high productivity on stringent production lines.
We will be happy to provide you with a detailed quotation tailored to your application environment and your needs.
The Experienced - Our AERO Standard Vacuum Lifter
As the standard product for the industry, the AERO has existed since 1992 and is thus the star of experience in the company. In its current design, the AERO standard vacuum lifter is particularly suitable for heavy-duty workshop use and rough handling. The vacuum device impresses with its longevity and robust construction. Thanks to the standard warning device with vacuum gauge, operators always have a direct assessment of the functionality and suitable operating condition in order to move transported goods safely and easily. The optimised crane suspension, which balances the fully galvanised main traverse and vacuum accumulator on the chain hoist, alternately carries an open vacuum pump and a control unit main switch. The user can move the vacuum lifter on the crane by means of the operating handle on an optionally angled or depth-adjustable holding rod. With up to 17 variants, the AERO standard vacuum lifter lifts goods with dimensions of 3300 mm x 1300 mm and weights between 150 kg and 2200 kg. Thanks to optional expansion options and accessories, the vacuum lifting device can be adapted to almost any requirements and application situations. This means that it can be used both indoors and outdoors under a roof with the right individualisation, or equipped with special suction plate seals for special materials or the right colour for a uniform look in production.
Smart sheet metal handling with the ADVANCE
The basic features of the ADVANCE vacuum lifter are similar to those of the Zwilling equation. The ADVANCE also lifts sheets and metal plates measuring between 1300 mm x 3300 mm without any problems. In terms of load-bearing capacity, the spectrum is based on the 150 kg to 1200 kg typical for applications. The main travese of ADVANCE is at the same time the vacuum accumulator and fully galvanized. The essential advantages lie much more in the advanced design of the vacuum lifter, which enables stringent integration into production and manufacturing lines. In addition to the optimized housing design, which accommodates all important mechanical and electronic components for vacuum generation and control, technical improvements ensure efficiency. For example, an automatic switch-off system for the vacuum pumps reduces power consumption and redundant vacuum generation increases reliability. The ADVANCE also scores with its optimized handling and thus increases the productivity of production lines as soon as sheets are placed on the machine. The multi-function handle with crane control eliminates the need to reach around to the crane bulb, as the vacuum lifter and crane can be operated with both hands on the handle using the thumbs. The same naturally applies to the control of the ADVANCE vacuum lifter itself. Of course, the suction/release functions continue to be operated with two hands in accordance with safety standards. With the multifunction handle, however, this happens without having to completely detach the hands from the operating handle. After just a few working passes, the operator learns how to use the control system via the multifunction handle and ensures very fast cycle times thanks to smoother processes without having to reach around. Toolless adjustable traverses, spiral hoses and cables between vacuum lifter and chain hoist or vacuum accumulator and suction set support the performance requirements of the compact and tidy design. The overall orientation of the ADVANCE is ultimately also reflected in pre-configured Industry 4.0 features. These make the vacuum lifter ready now for future use in highly automated production lines. The ADVANCE vacuum lifter thus represents the beginning of value creation and provides employees with an ergonomic work tool.