Packaging
Vacuum handles sheet metal and many other things
Tuesday 06. January 2009 - Regardless of whether they involve raw metal sheets, cut parts, semi-finished or finished sheet-metal parts or assemblies such as cases, tanks, bodies and car-body components - all workshop and production processes can be rationalised with vacuum handling systems
The handling of raw materials, semi-finished parts, finished products and packed goods with the aid of vacuum handling systems is today common in many industrial and trading companies. In addition to other sectors, the metalworking companies and, in particular, companies which process sheet metal are predestined for optimisation of their internal material-flow processes with relatively simple and cheap handling solutions. One of the pioneers in the area of workpiece handling with vacuum is J. Schmalz GmbH in D-72293 Glatten, who implement individual material-flow solutions with a comprehensive product range of vacuum tube lifters, vacuum lifting devices, suction pads, vacuum generators and crane systems. The product range extends from simple vacuum lifting devices for loading and unloading of sheet-metal machines though special vacuum lifting devices for handling coils of sheet metal to complete handling systems including Schmalz overhead crane systems and slewing cranes with aluminium jibs.
The VacuMaster Basic/Comfort
This modular system consists of basic modules with electric vacuum generators, operator handles, longitudinal and transverse beams of various lengths and a large number of standard and special suction pads for handling sheet-metal parts. There are three basic versions: “horizontal handling”, “90° tilting” and “180° turning”, and each of these is available in models for various load ranges (“horizontal handling” from 125 kg to 750 kg; “90° tilting” from 125 kg to. 500 kg and “180° turning” from 75 kg to 250 kg). Tilting and turning of the loads is carried out with an electric linear drive. The version VacuMaster Comfort differs from the VacuMaster Basic in that it has some additional functions on the operator handle, such as integrated controls for a chain hoist and for the vacuum and for tilting and turning the load. Furthermore, a solenoid valve for two-hand actuation of the “vacuum off” function provides additional safety during workpiece handling. Further features of the vacuum lifting device VacuMaster are a regulated vacuum pump with automatic energy-saving function and the fact that it is delivered complete with a chain hoist or, optionally, a chain hoist with frequency regulation.
The VacuMaster Eco
The vacuum lifting device VacuMaster Eco is a self-powered device: such devices will in future become more and more important with regard to increased interest in energy consumption and energy costs. It is a strictly modular system with which individual handling systems for sheet-metal workpieces can be created. However, in contrast to the vacuum lifting devices with vacuum generators, the VacuMaster Eco utilises its own weight, and that of the lifting tackle, to generate the necessary vacuum. The lifting device is simply lowered onto the workpiece until the chains hang slackly. This switches an internal valve which activates the gripping function. When the device is then lifted, it starts to generate a vacuum which grips the workpiece so tightly that it can be lifted and moved safely. The vacuum lifting device VacuMaster Eco is available in various sizes for maximum loads between 250 and 1000 kg.
The combination of a vacuum lifting device and an aluminium crane system
Thanks to a wide range of slewing cranes and overhead crane systems with aluminium jibs and rails, respectively, Schmalz can offer customers complete vacuum handling systems or material-flow solutions. Three types of cranes are available: overhead cranes for large working areas, column-mounted slewing cranes with a slewing angle of up to 270° and wall-mounted slewing cranes with a slewing angle of up to 180°. The rails and jibs of the cranes are made from extruded aluminium sections. Depending on the intended application, the cranes can be combined with Schmalz vacuum handling systems or with chain hoists, cable hoists or cable balancers. The overhead crane systems with aluminium rails are available for working areas of up to about 8 x 30 metres and for maximum loads of up to 700 kg. The slewing cranes with aluminium jibs are suitable for goods of up to 650 kg and can have jibs up to six metres long, depending on the workpieces to be handled. The same applies to the wall-mounted slewing cranes with aluminium jibs, which are mounted on the wall of the building or on an existing column. The cranes with aluminium rails and jibs are easy to move and position.
In addition to the above, Schmalz offers many other ergonomic material-flow solutions for the metalworking sector, such as special grippers for handling workpieces with holes or apertures and grippers with oil-resistant suction pads for non-slip handling of slightly oily sheets of metal. The vacuum lifting device VacuMaster Coil is designed specifically for handling and moving coils and slit strips and is available in three versions for loads weighing up to 500 kg, 750 kg and 1000 kg. The VacuMaster Light is ideal for handling lighter workpieces (up to 100 kg), such as frames or sections. This lifting device is characterised by its low intrinsic weight and by the fact that the suction pads can be adjusted quickly and flexibly. Schmalz can thus supply efficient vacuum handling solutions for practically any task in the metalworking industry.