What Is a Vacuum Lifter?
A vacuum lifter is a lifting device that can suction and transport a workpiece without using a power supply or other motive power by utilizing a vacuum state.
By moving the vacuum lifter itself up and down, a vacuum is created between the suction pad and the workpiece.
Since heavy workpieces can be conveyed without using power, they can handle everything from narrow steel materials to large steel plates that weigh several tons.
There is a wide product lineup depending on the characteristics, size, weight, and shape of the material to be conveyed, as well as a wide range of industries in which they are introduced.
Uses of Vacuum Lifters
The following is a list of introduced industries and applications.
- S Type
Convenient for transporting materials that do not deflect, and used in the aluminum material industry, machining shops, construction sites, etc. They are also used for removing parts after cutting by laser cutting machines. Some models are also available for stone materials, with lifting capacities ranging from 80 kg to 1,250 kg.
- M Type
This type has two or more pads and is suitable for transporting steel plates with little deflection in horizontal width. The large lifting capacity is about 750 kg.
- Fixed Length Steel Plate Type
This type is suitable for transporting sheet metal, such as plasma cutting machines, laser cutting machines, and turret pans, and has been introduced in many cases in the laser and sheet metal industries. The maximum lifting capacity is about 1000 kg.
- Long Steel Plate Mold
This type is used in shipyards, construction equipment manufacturers, chemical plants, and steel industries that handle steel plates from 4m to 6m long. Maximum lifting capacity is about 2000 kg.
- Large Vacuum Lifter
Large vacuum lifters can transport large steel plates weighing 2 to 7 tons and 12 meters or less in length. Often used by shipyards, bridge manufacturers, etc.
- For Narrow Width
Convenient for transporting narrow width materials, such as flat bars and edge materials. Can also be used for lumber, with a maximum lifting capacity of about 300 kg.
Other special products are also available, such as vacuum lifters using forklifts.
Principle of Vacuum Lifters
A vacuum lifter suspends a workpiece by creating a vacuum between the suction pad and the workpiece.
There are a variety of types of vacuum lifters, including electric and pneumatic types, as well as non-powered types that require no power other than that of the vacuum lifter.
In the non-powered type, a vacuum is created inside the lift by moving the vacuum lifter up and down. Therefore, the workpiece can be alternately picked up and released simply by crane operation.
The motorized type has the same suction principle, but by installing a vacuum pump unit, suction can be maintained even if the vacuum level drops due to air leakage or other causes. This is a safer method that can maintain a vacuum even in the event of a power failure.
The air type uses an air source from a compressor and is easy to maintain and simple to use.
Since the pressure in the suction pad before suction is the same as atmospheric pressure, the workpiece is not suctioned to the suction pad as it is. When the air in the suction pad is suctioned by the vertical movement of the crane, the pressure in the suction pad becomes lower than atmospheric pressure. The workpiece is then pressed against the suction pad because of the pressure difference from atmospheric pressure externally applied to the suction pad.