Packaging
A practical example of light-weight construction: VacuMaster Light
Monday 05. January 2009 - Vacuum lifting devices combine light weight, universal flexibility, ease of movement and energy efficiency
Everyone is talking about light-weight construction and energy efficiency. Humanisation of work and ergonomic working procedures to protect the health of the workers also deserve the same amount of attention. There is, however, a lot of discussion and little action in this area. An ergonomic material-flow solution is available with the vacuum lifting devices VacuMaster Light from the vacuum specialists J. Schmalz GmbH in D-72293 Glatten. Based on the crane-suspended vacuum lifting devices of the VacuMaster series, the VacuMaster Light is a flexible alternative for the handling of light objects weighing up to 100 kg. In addition, its light-weight construction makes it the perfect symbiosis of low intrinsic weight, ergonomic operation, easy positioning, safe manual operation and energy efficiency. The VacuMaster Light is delivered complete and ready for use and requires only a supply of compressed-air.
Compared with the well-known vacuum lifting devices of the VacuMaster series, the version VacuMaster Light has a lower overall height (310 mm and thus abut 200 mm lower) and weighs only 13 or 15 kg. It is capable of lifting loads weighing up to 100 kg. Depending on the workpieces to be handled, the device can be equipped with one large suction pad (VacuMaster 100-1) or with four individual suction pads which can be adjusted as desired (VacuMaster Light 100-4). The workpieces are always handled in the horizontal position. The surfaces of the workpieces to be handled should be smooth and airtight, but slightly porous workpieces such as furniture elements and sheets of wood can also be handled.
The facility for flexible adjustment of the four suction pads of the version VacuMaster Light 100-4 offers many benefits. The adjustment range of the suction pads extends from 250 x 250 mm to 710 x 460 mm, and any desired configuration within this range is possible. This makes it possible to handle long, narrow workpieces, round workpieces and rectangular workpieces with one and the same gripper. The suction pads can be adjusted in a matter of seconds without the need for tools, thus minimising the time needed for conversion to a different workpiece. The four suction pads are mounted flexibly, which means that they can adapt themselves to any unevenness on the surfaces of the goods to be transported.
For safe operation in daily use, the vacuum lifting device has intelligent monitoring function with warning device. The status indicator and the manometer are easily visible to the operator at all times. The integration of these elements has the advantage that they are protected against damage. As a supplier of complete systems, Schmalz delivers the vacuum lifting device VacuMaster Light completely assembled and ready for use: the user only needs to suspend it from a crane. Ideal for this purpose are the easily-moved Schmalz cranes with aluminium rails and jibs, which are available in various versions, either as overhead cranes or slewing cranes for loads of various weights, and are also completely installed. The vacuum lifting devices VacuMaster Light are available ex stock. As usual Schmalz offers a three-year warranty for all components (except parts subject to wear) of the devices.