Millsom Materials Handling offer the new generation of vacuum lifting devices of the series VacuMaster Basic/Comfort that can be used in a variety of applications. The series’ functional design is based on longitudinal beams. These beams, made of anodised, extruded aluminium sections, act as load carriers, vacuum reservoirs and vacuum distributors. This does away with the need for several hoses, which tend to get in the way, and also saves weight. The modular system, which consists of few components, makes it easy to construct vacuum lifting devices for any application.
There are three basic versions of the series VacuMaster Basic/Comfort lifting devices (for horizontal handling and for turning the workpiece by 90° or 180°). The horizontal versions can lift loads between 75 and 750kg, while the versions for turning the workpiece can handle loads of up to 500 (90° turning) or 250kg (180° turning). The workpieces are turned with the aid of an electric linear drive. The operator controls all functions of the lifting device with push buttons on the operator handle. This principle is advantageous when handling unwieldy workpieces, since it permits the operator to move and position the load (suspended on a crane and the lifting device) safely. The low overall height of the lifting devices with the turning option means that the turning of workpieces can be mechanised in restricted spaces or in rooms with low ceilings.
The technical benefits and the simple handling also convinced a manufacturer of workbenches and tool trolleys looking for a way of rationalising the machining of the edges of workbench tops. These tops are made of solid wood, with dimensions up to 2,000 x 1,000mm and thicknesses of 25, 40 or 50mm. The workbench tops thus weigh up to 100kg each, and manual handling is possible with at least two persons.
Although the sawing and surface machining were already executed semi-automatically or fully automatically, the machining of the edges was still being done with hand-held machines. A problem was that the workbench tops had to be turned over to permit the machining of the top and bottom edges, which meant that the machining and handling was time-consuming.
For this reason, the company invested in a new CNC machining centre. In order to make best use of the capacity of this machining centre, the company also invested in a vacuum handling system for loading the machine, turning the workpieces and removing the finished workbench tops.
The handling system selected for this task was a crane-mounted vacuum lifting device VacuMaster Comfort 125-180°-2 made by Schmalz (represented by Millsom Materials Handling in Australia and New Zealand).
VacuMaster Comfort 125-180°-2 vacuum lifting device has the following benefits:
- One person can often do the job it would normally take two or more to do
- OH&S claims are nil with the correct lifting system in place
- Finance can be organised for most applicants minimising outlay for instant returns