Today, the vacuum lifting devices of the VacuMaster series manufactured by J. Schmalz GmbH in 72293 Glatten are indispensable in the material-flow sector of sheet-metal machining. Whether it be the loading of shears, laser-cutting systems or presses, the removal and stacking or palleting of the finished parts or the onward transfer of laser-cut parts or curved workpieces – all of these tasks can be executed more rationally and thus more economically with the VacuMaster devices, and the idle times of the machines are greatly reduced.

The vacuum lifting devices VacuMaster are available in six different load classes (up to a maximum of 2,000 kg). Depending on the size and weight of the workpieces to be handled, the devices are equipped with 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 vacuum plates, whereby the individual vacuum plates can be switched off with the aid of valves to permit the safe handling of smaller workpieces. For structured surfaces such as checker plate, Schmalz offers special vacuum plates which adapt themselves to the rough surfaces. It is thus possible to handle a wide range of differing metal sheets without damage and in a horizontal position with the vacuum lifting devices.

In many cases, the users of metal-cutting machines and systems would like to optimise their operations with the aid of vacuum handling technology but cannot do this because there is not enough space in the workshop or because the machines cannot be loaded and unloaded from above. For such applications, the vacuum specialists J. Schmalz GmbH, who not only supply vacuum lifting devices with special equipment for the handling of sheet-metal parts, but also provide complete material-flow solutions including cranes and installation, have now added a new articulated-jib crane to their comprehensive product range.

The articulated-jib crane can be combined ideally with the vacuum lifting device VacuMaster VM 500, which is widely used for the handling of sheet-metal parts. The new articulated-jib crane permits the ergonomical loading and unloading of machines from the side or from the end, and is thus ideal for machines which cannot be loaded from above. The horizontal slewing action of the articulated-jib crane permits the handling of sheet-metal parts weighing up to 500 kg (the maximum load of the VacuMaster VM 500) within a working area of about 20 m². The crane is capable of lifting both the VM 500 and its maximum permissible load at lifting speeds of 4 and 8 m/min. The lifting height is about 1,700 mm, although the overall height of the crane is only 3,580 mm.

The vacuum lifting device is almost identical to the standard version of the VacuMaster. The VacuMaster is attached to the crane with the aid of a strong flange plate. This rigid mounting prevents swinging of the load, reduces the machine loading times and simplifies the precise positioning of the articulated-jib system, which is positively guided with the aid of chains. The mechanically robust and stiff construction of the crane is reflected in its total weight of about 800 kg. A friction clutch provides the necessary protection against overloading and the safety devices of the vacuum lifting device VacuMaster VM 500, such as the large vacuum buffer, the non-return valve and the electronic warning device, ensure safe operation under all conditions.