Bethlehem Construction in the USA is an industry leader in controlled-atmosphere storage construction. The company was looking for a solution to demould, lift, turn and translocate concrete wall elements. In collaboration with the customer and our agent in America, TACT Netherlands, LLC, we developed two vacuum lifters. Both devices are capable to handle 27 metric tons (60,000Lbs).
To demould the wall elements, Aerolift developed a vacuum lifter which operates in combination with an overhead crane. Because of the divided surface pressure of a suction pad, it is possible to demould fresh concrete with limited internal strength. Vacuum technology offers even more advantages for concrete handling and assembling. Think of handling without the need of embedded hoist facilities.
The other vacuum lifter Aerolift developed is used in combination with a gantry crane during storage and transhipment. From the cabin of the gantry crane the operator has good view of what is happening below. With the vacuum lifter the wall elements can be lifted, moved and even turned 90°. All the actions can be controlled by the operator. No one has to come near the concrete wall elements during handling.
Hans van den Tol, director Aerolift: “The extreme requirements. The vacuum lifters had to meet both European and American standards and regulations (EN & ASME). Because of the heavy loads, the vacuum lifters required a large number of big suction pads. The dimensions and positions of these suction pads needed to be optimised to avoid the door openings and window frames. It was a big challenge but we accomplished the project!”
