Safe and efficient handling of large metal sheets with the VacuMaster 750.

The vacuum specialists J. Schmalz GmbH in 72293 Glatten recently added a new model to their VacuMaster series of crane-suspended vacuum lifting devices for the horizontal and/or vertical handling of large, flat objects such as metal sheets. This is the VacuMaster 750 and the user can now select a device with any of six different maximum loads: 125, 250, 500, 750, 1000 and 2000 kg.

The new model closes a gap which previously existed in this series of devices for horizontal handling and the user can select the ideal model for his application. But this is not the only innovation: since the spring of 2003, all vacuum lifting devices of the VacuMaster series are equipped as standard with an electronic warning device which immediately generates an audible signal for the operator if the electric power fails or if the vacuum drops because of a sudden or gradual leak. This further improves the safety when using the vacuum lifting devices, providing the operator with sufficient time to, for example, lower the load before it is dropped.

Handling metal sheets safely with vacuum

However, this is not the only safety device provided as standard on the vacuum lifting devices of the VacuMaster series. The devices are also equipped with a vacuum reservoir, a vacuum gauge, a manual safety valve and a long operator handle which permits the operator to keep well away from the suspended load. Schmalz pay great attention to reliability and safety, which is the reason why they provide a three-year warranty and guaranteed functionality and offer their customers a trial period with a money-back guarantee.

All of these advantages convinced the company M. Oelgeschläger GmbH in Bohmte, a company active in the areas of special engineering, cutting and machining of sheet metal with lasers and general engineering, to try a lifting device from Schmalz. The company recently purchased a new laser-cutting machine and the persons responsible gave some thought to the adequate design of the peripheral equipment for this machine. They decided to buy a handling system for sheet-metal parts from Schmalz in order to carry out loading of the new machine with large and heavy sheets of metal as rationally, safely and ergonomically as possible.

VacuMaster 750 not only increases productivity

The handling system they selected was a vacuum lifting device of the type VacuMaster 750 and this is used to handle large sheets of metal (1500 x 3000 mm) with varying thicknesses. The standard VacuMaster 750 is mounted on a column slewing crane and the entire system is capable of handling loads weighing up to 750 kg. The metal sheets are handled only in the horizontal position.

According to the persons responsible, the VacuMaster 750 not only increased efficiency by reducing the idle times while the laser-cutting machine is being loaded. It also reduces the stress on the operators and permits one-man operation: a single person can load the sheets onto the second table while the machine is cutting the sheet on the first table. Furthermore, the risk of accidents while handling the heavy, unwieldy and sharp-edged sheets is considerably reduced, resulting in a positive effect on the motivation of the qualified personnel and thus also on the overall productivity.